Penn Perspectives: A Q&A With Adam Hertzog, C'95

How has your liberal arts degree been influential throughout your career?
A liberal arts degree gives you a fantastic base as a thinker. The skills to interpret and react are crucial and a liberal arts degree enables you to hone those skills. Additionally, the balance of knowledge and depth of knowledge is something I always look for, and a liberal arts degree certainly affords an opportunity to become a very well-rounded person.

What is the value of the Penn network, and how has it played a role in your career?
Penn has been important in my career, whether it’s establishing contacts, or collaborating with others from Penn at work. Those connections have tremendous support and whenever I meet anyone from Penn there is an automatic connection and understanding.

How do you stay connected with Penn Arts and Sciences, and why is it a priority for you?
Helping through alumni/student programs – I want to make sure those who are attending Penn and getting a liberal arts degree have opportunities to succeed in the world.

What advice would you give students at the College who are trying to decide what career path to pursue?
First, figure out what you want to do next year, not for the rest of your life. Careers change, thinking changes, so pursue your passion first and don’t be afraid. The Penn degree is a great insurance policy – if your first plans don’t work out, a liberal arts degree is like gold — it provides so many options and directions to take.

What was your favorite course at the College and why?
My favorite course was the "History of the Symphony."  I learned something about a topic that was outside of my field and I challenged myself. I can still apply the techniques I learned in that class when I listen to any kind of music today.

What other advice would you like to share?
Take as many courses in different subjects as possible. It's the best way to find out who you are, how you think, and pushes you to adapt — all things you will need to figure out once you leave Penn.