Meet the St. Olaf Alumni Helping Students Make Career Connections
When a group of St. Olaf College students traveled to Denver, Colorado, last fall to explore careers in environmental sustainability, they were warmly greeted by alumni who hosted site visits to their businesses and graduate school programs, presented panel discussions about their professions, and welcomed Oles to conversation tables.
These alumni are at the heart of what makes the college’s Connections Program work. A collaboration between the Piper Center for Vocation and Career and the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, the Connections Program takes students each year to cities across the country to meet with alumni working in a variety of fields. The fact that so many alumni take the time to meet with and support current students highlights the power of the Ole network.
Meet some of the alumni who participated in the Denver Connections Program below. Read more about the program, and watch a video highlight, here.
Kyle Paulson ’94
Major: Political Science
Career: Counsel and Development Director at hep Peak Clean Energy
Denver Connections: Participated in an alumni career panel for students at the Alliance for Collective Action
Kyle Paulson ’94 took a broad range of courses at St. Olaf, from public speaking to intensive writing, and filled multiple leadership roles. He played varsity baseball and football, spent J-terms in South Africa and Washington, D.C., and served as a Junior Counselor and Hall Council representative. After graduating from St. Olaf, Paulson served in the Peace Corps, went to law school, interned at nonprofits, and sought out responsibility in early career roles. All of that experience led him to his current work. Paulson’s advice for current students is to take courses outside of your known interests, “write, write and write more,” and take advantage of internship opportunities to learn what you do and don’t enjoy.
“The multitude of activities I took part in at St. Olaf helped me to organize and prioritize tasks, and fostered my ability to be a self-starter, both of which are critical to my job role,” he says.
Brian Wieliczka ’12
Major: Chemistry
Career: Advanced Research and Development Team Leader at Tandem PV
Denver Connections: Hosted students as they visited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
At St. Olaf, Brian Wieliczka ’12 was part of the Environmental Coalition and studied abroad in Central America. Both experiences guided his scientific interests to pursue technologies with a real-world impact. After graduating, Wieliczka earned a Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis, and then did applied research for his postdoctoral studies at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. That background led him to Tandem PV, a solar startup that is working to commercialize perovskite photovoltaics, a class of materials that are inexpensive, easy to deposit, and could boost solar photovoltaic efficiencies without large cost increases. Wieliczka is working to improve the efficiency of solar energy without increasing costs in order to commercialize solar power for a more sustainably powered world.
“The undergraduate research I did at St. Olaf prepared me to evaluate research critically, work collaboratively in a team, and communicate results effectively to experts and non-experts alike,” he says.
Rebecka Miller ’19
Major: English and China Studies
Career: Environmental Educator at Eco-Cycle
Denver Connections: Hosted a career conversation table for students at the Boulder Public Library
Switching to English and Chinese majors after two years of studying biology at St. Olaf — where she also played in an orchestra, sang in a choir, studied abroad in China, volunteered with the Science Alliance, and worked an on-campus job — led Rebecka Miller ’19 to have a deep appreciation for the beauty and benefit of having varied interests. It also led to a keen understanding of the importance of balance. She moved to China after graduation to teach English to first graders, and returned to the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic to pursue outdoor education work. A string of seasonal outdoor jobs eventually brought her to Colorado’s eeCorps, an AmeriCorps program, and she earned her certification as an environmental educator in the state.
“I’m now at a point where I can see how the variety of work I’ve done is an asset to me for whatever direction I want to go with my career,” she says. “All of your experiences are relevant, and you have the power to connect the pieces for others, such as future employers, and explain how they are the start of your career.”
Rachel Gessner ’19
Major: Biology
Career: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Ph.D. Student at the University of Colorado, Boulder
Denver Connections: Hosted a career conversation table for students at the Boulder Public Library
While playing oboe in the St. Olaf Band, serving as a student naturalist, working as a teaching assistant, and contributing as an illustrator for the student newspaper during her time at St. Olaf, Rachel Gessner ’19 volunteered, studied abroad, and was the officer of an honor society. Each summer she did research internships, and during the school year she worked in St. Olaf Professor of Biology Kim Kandl’s lab. After graduation, Gessner took a job in a research lab at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and she is now completing her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado Boulder. Through her experience, Gessner has found that she loves mentoring and teaching — and she now has her sights set on becoming a college professor.
“St. Olaf is where my interest in research sky-rocketed. I loved the small lectures and labs, and the practice I gained writing and presenting has helped me stand out,” Gessner says. “I also had excellent guidance from professors about what research entails, what I can do with a Ph.D. degree, and how I can reach my goals.”
Amy Whittier ’92
Major: Biology
Career: North America Marketing Leader at Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
Denver Connections: Participated in an alumni career panel for students at the Alliance for Collective Action
Studying abroad during her undergraduate degree at St. Olaf gave Amy Whittier ’92 the confidence to tackle new experiences, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute research grant she earned as an undergraduate student fueled her passion for science and her confidence in research methods. Following graduation from St. Olaf, Whitter earned a master’s degree in immunology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and developed a career in marketing at a wide range of companies and subsidiaries focused on water technologies.
“I work with a lot of engineers and purely technical people. My wide and varied background helps me work with all of them and translate technical ideas into more approachable ideas,” Whittier says. “Liberal arts initially felt like a handicap, but has served me well. Our St. Olaf education gives us critical thinking and depth of other experiences that are really valuable to our careers and creates diversity for employers.”
Severin Lier ’19
Major: Music and Management Studies
Career: Senior Communications Manager at Community Foundation Boulder County
Denver Connections: Hosted a career conversation table for students at the Boulder Public Library
Severin Lier ’19 learned the power of collaboration, value of dedication and hard work, and importance of compassion through participation in vocal ensembles at St. Olaf. Taking advantage of multiple internship opportunities, he found his passion for arts administration. And through his study abroad experience in Australia and New Zealand, he learned to stay curious and think critically about the stories we’re told about the world around us. After graduation from St. Olaf, Lier worked at Minnesota Opera. A move back to his home state of Colorado led him to his current role with Community Foundation Boulder County.
“St. Olaf challenged me to think critically about my vocation and about the kind of impact I wanted to have in my career. I was encouraged to pursue my interests while also being pushed to explore new topics,” he says. To current Oles, he says: “Focus on what interests you, be open to new opportunities, and don’t be afraid to go for something — even if it seems like you’ll never have a chance. And don’t be afraid to reach out to alumni!”
As this group of alumni has shown, the Ole network is a powerful force.