Glenn Fischer

Graduate Profile: Glenn Fischer

Glenn Fischer’s Alma education didn’t just teach him business and language — it taught him how to live his life.

“I gained more life skills from my classes than anything else I studied in school,” the 1990 alumnus says. “I learned how to put my own, unique vision on the line and have to explain my vision to my peers. It’s the same in the corporate world. You can craft a solution on an existing model, or you can create something entirely unique.”

Fischer is a self-employed business consultant working on a freelance basis in the functional and managerial areas of IT consulting. He moved to Europe after graduation and started from scratch. He enjoys the ability to work globally while using and learning different languages and cultures.

Through different study experiences, including a study abroad trip to France, Alma College taught Fischer to be a lifelong learner.

“Alma teaches patience and trust in one’s own abilities, regardless of what is happening in the surrounding environment … that one must continuously adapt to changes in the environment … to make the right decisions at the right time, and to take responsibility for one’s actions,” he says. “My experience in France not only opened my eyes to the world and helped my French, but also taught me how to adapt the concept of lifelong learning and that this would always be a key to success.”

Fischer was drawn to Alma by the liberal arts education and the small college environment.

“An analogy can be made to the stock market,” he says. “A liberal arts degree is more like a growth stock. Long-term expectations are strong, but you are assuming some risk, in the form of starting a little lower on the ladder. In short, you are betting on yourself and your abilities. For a high salary, or whatever professional goals you pursue, you need to create your own opportunities.”

While at Alma, Fischer was involved with the men’s soccer team, band and the College radio station.