“While your philosophy major might not seem like it directly translates to any one particular job, the critical thinking skills you're building will allow you to understand the complexities you'll encounter in large corporations and small startups,” says Robert Breckinridge ’11, about the connection between being a philosophy major and his current position as a brand strategist at Curalate, a tech startup.
Like so many ambitious college graduates, Robert moved to New York City in pursuit of what Plato might call 'the good life'. “The first few years out were somewhat difficult, as they are for most new grads moving to NYC,” says Robert. He first worked as a paralegal at a large Wall Street law firm, Sullivan & Cromwell. He was involved in large anti-trust litigation for companies such as Microsoft and Philips in which there were billions of dollars at stake. But the legal world did not feel like a long-term path, and with the help of the Haverford network, Robert joined Curalate (as its 13th hire). The company now has more than 90 employees.
“I absolutely love working for Curalate,” he says, “It was my education at Haverford that instilled in me the determination to find my path and not rest until I do.” He does consulting and sales of enterprise marketing technology to brands like IKEA, Aritzia, Regal Cinemas, Target and Nordstrom. These and other brands leverage Curalate’s technology to generate more revenue from their digital marketing efforts.
In the next few years, Robert looks forward to building a skillset related to bringing a product to market, understanding that market, and managing a team. Robert says that his Haverford education has been integral to his professional development. “Basically, you’ll be a happier person for being a philosophy major. I certainly am.”