What inspired you from an early age to pursue your interests?

“I would probably say the story of Nikola Tesla. He was always getting shot down and dismissed even though he was a genius, and he was still sticking it out, even if he was a little insane at the time. In terms of a person I knew, I’d say my uncle. He didn’t go to college, had to get his GED, all of that stuff. He ended up not only managing to get a job as an air traffic controller, but he is now a senior manager over at Reagan National Airport near Washington, D.C.”

What is your dream career?

“I want to do something with engineering. I’m extremely interested in the idea of space exploration. When I was a little kid, I wanted to be a space cowboy, wrangling up ‘star-beetles,’ and you know what? Not a lot of people get to pursue their dreams but I said ‘No, I’m going to be an astronaut! I am going to be a space cowboy!” You probably think I’m joking, but I can assure you I’m not. Aerospace engineering is where it’s at.”

What do you hope to engineer?

“I would like to make something not as, for lack of a better word, archaic as we use now for propulsion. Currently we basically just take a huge chunk of rock, turn it into liquid, and light the firecracker, and hope it gets us into orbit. So I’d like to make something that was maybe a bit more efficient.”

What kind of advice would you give to someone who is pursuing their dreams?

“When it comes to your dreams, don’t think of others. Think of yourself. They don’t live your life, wear your skin or walk in your shoes. It’s okay to be a little selfish once in a while.”

Beneath The Crown was created by Nick Theisen (‘15). It is inspired by Humans of New York (HONY) and aims to bring the community of Gustavus Adolphus College closer together by providing the perspectives of the many different people who live and work at the school.