As someone whose Plan A was academia and whose Plan B did not exist, the transition from graduate school to industry has been both challenging and extremely rewarding. It was not a straight path, but I am happy where I am now. I spent six years in three different jobs in Tokyo and moved to Frankfurt, Germany in the summer of 2023 to work for my current employer. I hope to stay with this organization for a long time and feel that I've found my purpose or "ikigai", at least for this stage in my life: helping people and organizations reach their full potential.

The study of Asian religions has prepared me for life in unexpected ways. It has given me the courage and tools to face life's most challenging questions: how do I want to live and what contributions do I want to make during my limited time on earth? Learning to listen to other people and to understand perspectives that are at odds with my own has helped me both professionally and personally, as a knowledge worker and as a husband. I am grateful beyond words for the insight and compassion that I received from my supervisor Jacqueline Stone during my short but very inspiring time at Princeton. 

I would encourage current students to be hopeful about their professional futures: With a Princeton education and the support of friends or family, you already have everything you need to succeed. It's only a matter of time before your own path finds you. Don't let feeling nervous or afraid hold you back from trying something new.