Why did you choose LSE, and why did you choose your programme of study?
It's the world's top centre for the social sciences. I was interested in political economy and mass communication with a focus on the GATT Uruguay Round and negotiations between the US and EU on audiovisual services and intellectual property rights related to copyright.
Overall, how do you look back on your LSE experience?
It was the ideal institution to pursue an interdisciplinary doctorate encompassing international relations, political economy, communications, and cultural studies. My supervisor, the library staff, and the individuals who formed my "upgrade committee" all played key roles in my success. LSE's location provided me with easy access to industry and government sources in London, Paris, and Brussels. But what has made a lasting impression on me is the list of world leaders who have studied at LSE. I am proud and honoured to be an alumnus.
Please describe your career path to date:
After LSE, I spent 14 years in the higher education industry with an SAAS start-up and a Fortune 500 corporation, and then started my own consultancy. I conduct masterclasses on advanced questioning skills at UK universities, institutes, public sector organisations, and private firms.
Why did you choose your current job?
It was the right time. With the approaching waves of automation and AI in labour markets, a new kind of work-related competition is on its way. Work associated with social intelligence and critical thinking relies on questioning skills.
Tell us about your current job:
I work mainly in London and Edinburgh. I teach an advanced, interdisciplinary approach to enquiry that combines principles from urban planning, investigative reporting, social psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and more. I deliver lectures and workshops for groups ranging from undergraduate and graduate students to managing directors and board members. I deliver two forms of workshops: academic skills (fieldwork skills and a new approach to crafting a research question), and life skills (building rapport and gathering insights from others) for those who go into industry.
What advice do you have for LSE students who are looking to enter a similar profession to you?
Do what you love to do, not what you like to do. Pursue degree(s) and other forms of training at the world's best institutions of higher learning; they typically attract the best minds and resources. Gain practical experience before going out on your own. Be patient. It's been said before but it's worth repeating: Overnight sensations are rarely overnight sensations; they put in years of hard work and sacrifice before they became household names. Finally, be the best at what you do.