Where do you call home?
I am taking a yearlong break and returning to school in the fall. I’m originally from Saltillo, COAH, Mexico. I go back and forth to Mexico and Boston to take care of some family responsibilities.
Why did you choose Suffolk?
During my time at Suffolk my older brother was living in Boston and I stayed with him and his wife for the duration of my undergraduate degree. Suffolk was the right choice for me because of the wide selection of academic offerings. Also, the location of the campus is fantastic for experiencing the city of Boston and making friends and connections in and out of campus
What courses had the most impact on your time here?
Two classes stand out as my favorites: Russian Philosophy (Dostoevsky) and Philosophy of Technology. Both classes made me think hard and write extensively about a wide array of moral problems. Some of which I had never considered before. My readings of Dostoevsky helped me study classic moral problems such as the problem of evil, religion vs. science, and what it means to lead a good life. Philosophy of Technology focused on contemporary and possible future moral issues, such as trans-humanism, moral enhancement medications, nature vs man and technology, and the goals of scientific developments that have an impact on mankind.
Were there any faculty members who shaped your time here?
My writing and research skills were vastly improved with the instruction of Professor Nir Eisikovits. His classes dealt with difficult ethical questions about war and peace, and the developments of technology that affect our way of life for better or worse. Critical thinking is a skill that can be developed with good instruction and patience. I’d also like to mention Professor Brian Kiniry for his dedication to teach philosophy beyond the European tradition, as it has helped me understand many Asian and African cultures. This understanding of foreign thinking is more important than ever in our globalized world and in the multicultural cities where the future of business is taking place in. Also, I would like to thank Professor Genia Cherkasova for sparking my interest in philosophy and her wonderful lectures on universal human problems. Finally, Professor Montgomery Link was my advisor, and greatly influenced me. He puts lot of faith in his students, helping us to think and write about harder topics in philosophy such as logic, philosophy of math, and philosophy of language. His classes push students to think in new ways, tackle difficult readings, and develop good writing habits. The entire philosophy department was very supportive and encouraging of my interests. They were always happy to help if I needed some further research materials or some clarifications in the interpretation of difficult texts.
Were you involved in any student organizations?
I greatly benefited from getting involved in school activities. I was a student leader serving as treasurer for my dance group Fusion Dhamaka, and I was a regular member at the Suffolk Horror Club and other events in school throughout my undergraduate experience. As a freshman, it was hard for me to connect with people and make friends.
Fortunately, student organizations offer all Suffolk members the opportunity to create a community on campus based mutual interests and values. I think student organizations are one of the greatest assets Suffolk University has to offer. Fantastic friendships have stemmed from these organizations, and I can confidently say that they have made me a happier and better person.
What are your future plans?
Right now, my plan is to return to school in the fall to get a second bachelor’s degree in computer science since I grew an interest in it with my study on philosophy of mathematics and language. This will open broader employment opportunities that deal with interesting problems and skills that enable me to make improvements for communities like mine.
My experience at Suffolk has greatly benefited me in developing good writing habits, research, and critical thinking skills. Many classes required presentations and working with classmates for projects, and all these skills are valued and highly sought after by employers. Philosophy, at its core, seeks to train critical thinking. This skill is needed more than ever in a world where we are all being distorted by fraudulent and misleading information that disturbs our ability to think clearly. In the age of information, correct data analysis and good logical thinking skills are paramount for the generation of solutions of present and future problems.
Philosophy is not a subject that trains for hard skills but, with a career plan in mind or in combination with another major, philosophy is a great course of study that greatly enhances skills in a wide variety of industries such as law, education, tech, business, financial services, and art.