Green Mountain College: Alumni Snapshot

Previous | Next

Michael Rothemeyer '02

Corporate Actions Manager, Mellon Financial Corp., Boston, Mass.

Major: Business and Economics

Hometown: Old Lyme, CT

How I got started: Green Mountain College prepared me for my role as a manager for Mellon Financial Corporation in Boston. While there is a big difference between Poultney, Vermont and Boston, being a part of a small college community prepared me best for living and working in a city like Boston. The small college environment makes students thrive for themselves - rather than sit back in a back row and let others lead - there are no back rows at GMC. It takes every student to be personally involved in the college environment in order for it to succeed, and because of that, students leave ready to tackle the real world.

Sports/activities while at GMC: At Green Mountain, there's no shortage of activities. If there's not a club or sport that sparks your interest, start one that does. I was involved in student government for four years. During that time a snowboarding club, skateboarding club, ultimate Frisbee club, and others were organized by students. It's tough not to be involved at a college like GMC.

Best thing about GMC: Professors at GMC are excellent. Aside from their degrees and credentials, they all have an interest in being at the college for everything it is about, not just the classes they teach. Outside of class you'll run into professors in the dining hall, in town, on the slopes, or advising the Rugby team, Ultimate Frisbee Club, or many others. Staff and administrators take an active role in the college as well. If you can't find something to eat in the dining hall, just walk up to one of the chefs or managers and they'll make it for you. And believe me, there is not much they can't make: they're tested all the time - from bag lunches for clubs going on kayaking trips to custom cooked steak. Got a gripe, then talk to the President - he's always eager to meet with students.

Advice to students: If I have one piece of advice, it's: get involved in activities! You'll spend a lot of time in class, in the library, and doing homework, so it's important to get out and have fun. The more involved you are, the better your whole experience will be. You won't find a better mix of people. If academic interests of the students are not diversified enough - from Business and Economics to Adventure and Environmental Science, then their interests are - skydiving and scuba diving to debating and participating in academic conferences. With its individual focus and range of activities students can direct themselves, Green Mountain's graduates are noticed by potential employers.