Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/517095
Megan Dodson '10 (meteorology major) Age: 29 Location: Warsaw, Indiana Career: Meteorologist, National Weather Service Megan is a weather forecaster for the National Weather Service. She has been influential in the development of the Great Lakes Current Incident Database, which helps the public and emergency responders become aware of the most dangerous times and places to be in the water. In recognition of her exemplary partnership efforts, the Michigan Sea Grant awarded Megan the 2014 Van Snider Award. What is the best resource young people have to contribute? "Coming out of college and applying all they have learned, combined with the energy and focus that comes with starting a career, can be a great resource." What motivates you? "Nothing makes me work harder than knowing someone will be positively impacted by my work." What is your proudest achievement so far? "Working to develop the Great Lakes Current Incident Database. In recent years, the data has been used to place rescue equipment on beaches across the Great Lakes, develop messaging to reach high-risk groups and improve forecast methods at the National Weather Service. It's been really rewarding to see something I worked so hard on be used to do things that will end up saving lives." What is the best piece of advice you have received? "My mom always said to us, 'You can be anything you want to be – don't let anyone stop you.'" Why is it important for you to stay connected to CMU? "I want to be an encouragement to students at CMU. Students in the classes ahead of me were always a great inspiration, a great source of encouragement and motivation for me." Mike Schuette '05 (hospitality major) Age: 32 Location: Chicago Career: Vice president, Leumi Investment Services Mike has been recognized by JPMorgan Chase's CEO Jamie Dimon as a Presidents Club Recipient (Top 25 bankers out of 23,000+) four times. In addition to sitting on the board of Central States SER, a workforce development and education organization, he also started his own nonprofit called Three Gentlemen which aims to inspire Chicago men to live a life full of passion, character, integrity, chivalry and philanthropy. And he helped launch the Schuette Family Scholarship at CMU. What is the best resource young people can contribute? "The best resource our younger generation has is a different perspective than the generation prior." What motivates you? "I am motivated by success. Success to me is challenging myself to be an expert at my role within the firm. It's determining what I need to do to reach the goals I have set for myself and work as hard as I need to until they are completed and accomplished." What is your proudest achievement so far? "My proudest achievement so far professionally is being a four-time Presidents Club Private Banker with JPMorgan Chase." What is the best piece of advice you have received? "The ability to build solid relationships and doing the right thing for my clients are the most important aspects of being successful in business." Why is it important for you to stay connected to CMU? "Our support not only helps students financially, but also gives them the ability to network themselves to an internship, a client or, better yet, a full-time job that they may never have known about." 25 centralight summer '15