It’s almost time for BT to showcase their fall musical of Hadestown, and 2017 graduate Sean Gardner has been on the scene! From assisting with tech work, to working his real job as an engineer, the BT alum was an ideal choice for the second edition of Revered Raiders.
What is your current occupation?
“I actually just started a new job at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) as an Industrial Engineer in their Facilities Management and Planning department. Prior to that I was an Industrial Engineer at Lozier.”
How did attending BT help you get there?
“I think the biggest skillset I developed through my time at BT were my people skills. With small classes you’re able to make lifelong friends in your classes but also learn how to interact with teachers and support functions in a more mature and respectful way. The teachers at BT don’t just care about your performance in school, they care about your personal growth and development. Learning to create better connections and communicate well with my classmates and also the adults around me at BT helped set me up for success in college and my career.”
What are some plans you have for the future?
“I just got married this last April to my lovely wife Lauren, so future plans have been a big topic of conversation for us! Our big goal right now is get settled in our careers so we can be ready to take on life’s next challenges! On an individual note, I started my Masters in Project Management earlier this year, but I am contemplating transferring to a Masters in Engineering Management, so we will see where that road takes me! Super long term, I would love to “retire” early and become a middle or high school science teacher so I can help inspire the next generation of STEM students to love their work and find ways to make time for their hobbies.”
Why do you give back to BT?
“I give back to BT because I think it is so important to help the current students experience the great education and environment I did when I was at BT. Being able to help out in activities like Theatre is also a great opportunity to share my knowledge and passion with current students and hopefully inspire them to keep in touch with what they love to do.”
Gardner included some guidance for current students, in addition to his amazing responses.
“Be okay with failure and accept that some things are not going to go exactly the way you want them to. College is hard. Adult life is hard. You will encounter classes that make rocket science look easy, people who you don’t agree with, and life decisions that will rock your world. It will all be okay,” the alum said. “Try to focus on what you can learn from each road bump and what opportunities you now have to improve so that the next time you encounter failure, you’re a little bit more prepared.”
The BT alum is just one of many that creates BT’s diverse and unique community. They provide excellent advice for students attending BT today, and encourage us to embark on new journeys!
