Graduate Profile: Nicole Rohrkemper
Nicole Rohrkemper says her economics degree from Alma will prepare her for any career she chooses to pursue.
“My education in Economics at Alma prepared me to be a problem solver in any job I’ll have,” the 2005 graduate says. “I learned to examine and isolate issues and come up with my own theories and responses. These critical thinking skills, and the confidence to develop my own opinions and solutions, have helped me immeasurably in my career.”
She has quite a choice: After leaving her position as a supervising legal assistant and firm manager for a law firm, she recently concluded an internship with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee and plans on attending either law school or a graduate program at American University after working in the non-profit sector.
Eventually, she would like to work in the area of peace and conflict resolution and international relations.
“I was attracted by the ‘real-world’ focus of economics, and how it related to the business world and how things really get done every day,” she says. “I also think the economic framework for addressing problems is a very relevant, practical (and even innovative) approach to work in the areas of law, peace and conflict resolution and international relations.”
Originally attracted to Alma by the small class sizes, she says the opportunity to be valued as an individual is one of the best things about Alma.
“The personal attention, support and flexibility that came from my close relationship with faculty on such a small campus was essential to my successful college career,” she says. “I attended a larger university for one semester as a guest student to take advantage of some opportunities outside Alma, but the quality of education just wasn’t there.”
Rohrkemper founded the Alma College Gay-Straight Alliance, and was active in Alma College Pride and Kappa Iota (a social sorority) while attending Alma.
