College Experiences That Helped A Performance And Planning Manager At A Global Airline Succeed
Alex's collegiate experiences, including playing collegiate soccer, majoring in economics, and taking diverse courses beyond their core curriculum, provided invaluable frameworks for thinking and analysis, and fostered adaptability. The emphasis on study abroad and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds also proved crucial in developing the teamwork, leadership, and interpersonal skills essential for success in a global airline company.
Teamwork, Leadership, Analytical Skills, Adaptability, Networking
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alex Olafsson
Manager, Performance and Planning
Global Airline Company
Kalamazoo College 2011
UCLA Anderson MBA
Economics
Aerospace, Aviation & Defense
Business Strategy
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Develop teamwork and leadership skills through extracurricular activities, even outside of formal sports teams.
2. Build a strong foundation in analytical thinking by choosing a major that emphasizes frameworks and problem-solving skills.
3. Step outside your comfort zone by participating in study abroad programs or other experiences that expose you to diverse perspectives and environments.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad that set you up for success in your career?
There are several things in my career that I look back on and think were really good. One is playing collegiate soccer, which I think was incredibly important to me. It taught me teamwork and leadership.
I think I would have learned a lot of these things even if I played pickup sports or on a recreational league. Extracurricular activities outside of core academics are really important.
I also personally loved my major, which was economics. I think it taught me a lot of frameworks for thinking and analysis. This applies to anything you're studying; consider the frameworks you're learning. You won't remember every equation or passage, but you will remember how to think.
I also attended a school that emphasized study abroad. About 85% of students went abroad. Part of that was stepping outside their comfort zone. I spent a full semester in Spain, fully immersed in Spanish. Getting outside your comfort zone and being in a different environment is really important.
The idea behind study abroad is to do something that pushes you outside your comfort zone, something different from what you normally do.
Lastly, I just tried to meet a lot of different people. As you go through your career, you find you're meeting people from all walks of life. It's interesting to go from school, where everyone is around the same age, to the business world, where your coworker or friend might be 30 years older. These intergenerational friendships and the ability to engage with different people are very important when entering the workforce.