How Experiential and Self-Directed Learning Styles Compare - Scott Gold

In Chapter 3 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "How Has Experiential and Self-Directed Learning Shaped Your Ambition and Development?"  Gold learns from his father that "Experience is the hardest teacher" as the test comes before the lesson.  He shares the experiential lesson learned of Hurricane Katrina and its affect on his family's Louisiana home.  He compares experiential learning with self-directed learning, which emphasizes initiative and failure as an educational process.  Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

How Curiosity Fuels Learning Passion - Scott Gold

In Chapter 6 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "What Do You Find So Interesting About the Intersection of Art, Science, and History?"  Art, culture, and science create ways for Gold to explore more, learn, and share with others to enjoy the experience together.  Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

Storytelling as a Teaching Style - Scott Gold

In Chapter 7 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "How Are Your Applying Your Storytelling Expertise to Teach Others About American Whiskey?"  Gold shares how he integrates historical context teaching American whiskey courses.  The story balances the more technical aspects of the product itself and ultimately enriches the consumer experience.  Gold Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

How Philosophy Can Improve Non-Fiction Writing - Scott Gold

In Chapter 13 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "Where Has Your Philosophy Education Been Most Impactful in Your Writing Career Development?"  A philosophy education teaches Gold to more fully consider his points and arguments and to make sure they are well supported.  He uses his philosophy toolbox to better articulate his thesis and make his points to communicate more effectively.  Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

How to Argue More Effectively Using Deductive Reasoning - Scott Gold

In Chapter 14 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "How Does Deductive Reasoning Create More Sound and Valid Arguments?"  Gold shares how he learns to argue by studying philosophy and applying it in his reasoning.  He discusses logical deductive structure and how working from premises to conclusion creates a valid argument but not necessarily sound one.  Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

How Radcliffe Publishing Course Jumpstarts Career - Scott Gold

In Chapter 15 of 20 of his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, author and writer Scott Gold answers "How Did Attending the Radcliffe Publishing Program at Harvard University Shape Your Career Ambition?  Gold notes how the course, which since has been renamed the Columbia Publishing Course and relocated to New York City, helped jumpstart his book publishing career.  The course teaches him publishing industry fundamentals and provides him access to industry leaders who provide insight into how publishing careers develop.  The course teaches him about how literary agencies, electronic books, book proposals, agents, rights and publicity work withing the publishing industry.  Scott Gold is an author and writer based in New York City.  When not writing, Gold moonlights as a bartender at Char no. 4 restaurant in Brooklyn.  He earned a BA in Philosophy from Washington University in St. Louis. 

How Practice and Rehearsal Learning Differ - Conrad Doucette

In Chapter 6 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, musician and Takka Takka drummer Conrad Doucette answers "As a Musician, What is the Difference Between Practice and Rehearsal?"  Doucette notes how practice is about sharpening skills both as an individual and as a collective.  Rehearsal differs in that it is specific to a performance or event.  He notes how bands often confuse the two and why they are both valuable in their respective ways.  Doucette is the drummer for the Brooklyn-based band Takka Takka.  He also performs with The National, Okkervil River, and Alina Simone.  When not performing, Doucette works as a copywriter, blogger, and digital media producer.  He has worked at Blender, Fuse TV, and Heavy.com.  Doucette earned his BA in History from the University of Michigan. 

How to Select the Best School for Your Children - Ken Rona

In Chapter 3 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, data analytics expert Ken Rona answers "How are You Approaching the K-12 School Search Relocating from DC to Atlanta?"  Moving to DC before having children teaches Rona the importance of moving to a place where schools are well matched to the kids' learning needs.  Now, as he moves to Atlanta, Rona shares how he and his wife are navigating the school search process.  Rona is currently VP Audience Insights and Ad Sales Partnerships at Turner Broadcasting.  Previously, Rona has worked in roles in data analytics at IXI Digital and AOL and management consulting at McKinsey & Co.  He earned a BA and MA in Political Science from Stony Brook University and a PhD in Behavioral Economics from Duke University. 

What Motivates Curiosity for Learning New Things - Ken Rona

In Chapter 5 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, data analytics expert Ken Rona answers "What Motivates You to Learn New Things?"  Professionally, business impact motivates Rona.  He sees being a driver of innovation as a point of pride and means to game changing outcomes.  Personally, Rona finds parenting - rightfully - takes away time from hobbies and interests and begins to revisit hobbies including cars and photography.  Rona is currently VP Audience Insights and Ad Sales Partnerships at Turner Broadcasting.  Previously, Rona has worked in roles in data analytics at IXI Digital and AOL and management consulting at McKinsey & Co.  He earned a BA and MA in Political Science from Stony Brook University and a PhD in Behavioral Economics from Duke University. 

Finding Career Purpose Solving Complex Problems - Ken Rona

In Chapter 8 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, data analytics expert Ken Rona answers "What Fuels Your Passion to Solve Complex Problems?"  He finds joy applying his passion solving problems and trying to make an impact or contribution to an organization, industry, or something greater.  Rona notes there will never be a shortage of problem solving jobs given the preponderance of problems that exist in the world.  Rona is currently VP Audience Insights and Ad Sales Partnerships at Turner Broadcasting.  Previously, Rona has worked in roles in data analytics at IXI Digital and AOL and management consulting at McKinsey & Co.  He earned a BA and MA in Political Science from Stony Brook University and a PhD in Behavioral Economics from Duke University. 

How MBA Professor Finds Purpose Helping Entrepreneurs - Ben Hallen

In Chapter 1 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, business school professor Ben Hallen answers "To What Do You Aspire?" Ben aspires to have impact and hopefully alter how people go about being entrepreneurs. An experienced entrepreneur, Hallen tries to find tools to help others be more successful entrepreneurs in his academic research and teaching. Hallen is currently Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at University of Maryland. Hallen earned his PhD from Stanford University and its Stanford Technology Venture Program (STVP). He has been a startup CTO and graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science.

How Entrepreneur Research Study Takes Shape - Ben Hallen

In Chapter 2 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, business school professor Ben Hallen answers "How Do You Define and Measure Success in What You Do?" Hallen, who focuses his academic research on entrepreneurship, notes the patience required doing long-term research. He notes the needs for continuous communication with entrepreneurs as well as staying on top of fast changing trends in entrepreneurship and financing. Hallen is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at University of Maryland. Hallen earned his PhD from Stanford University and its Stanford Technology Venture Program (STVP). He has been a startup CTO and graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science.

How College Experience Builds Character and Shapes Values - Ben Hallen

In Chapter 3 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, business school professor Ben Hallen answers "How Did Your College Experience Build Your Character and Shape Your Values?" Hallen, a University of Virginia graduate, notes how it provides challenges meeting different types of both people and intellectual perspectives. Hallen learns that while analytical skills learned in engineering are important, it is also key to learn how to understand problems and phrase solutions from another person's perspective. Hallen is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at University of Maryland. Hallen earned his PhD from Stanford University and its Stanford Technology Venture Program (STVP). He has been a startup CTO and graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science.

Why Study Electrical Engineering - Ben Hallen

In Chapter 4 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, business school professor Ben Hallen answers "What Made You Decide to Study Electrical Engineering in College?" Hallen notes his childhood aspiration to pursue a business management career and how he saw electrical engineering as a means to that end. He also finds studying electrical engineering allows him to study his passions for mathematics. Hallen is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at University of Maryland. Hallen earned his PhD from Stanford University and its Stanford Technology Venture Program (STVP). He has been a startup CTO and graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science.

Transcription: 

Erik Michielsen:  What made you decide to study electrical engineering in college?

Ben Hallen:  I wanted to be an executive, and so the experience I had growing up, I had seen a lot of companies and managers, junior executives, who came from an engineering background, so engineering seemed to be an appropriate place to start if I wanted to do that.  You know, now I would have to say, given more of what I know, there’s a whole variety of paths to do that, you know, ranging from the liberal arts to I particularly think business schools can be very good at that but I happened to choose engineering. 

And then, why electrical?  You know, a couple of reasons.  One, I was interested in computers; they were taking off.  That was before they had computer engineering as a major.  That’s effectively what I ended up majoring in but that wasn’t quite around yet.  But, more broadly, it was – it involved a lot of the math that I really liked, and I think at the time I would have justified it as very instrumental, that this makes sense because these are skills I can use. 

I think in retrospect, what it afforded was an opportunity to really study in something I was passionate about.  You know, do I use that math at all?  No.  Not a whole lot.  You know, yes, I do a lot of computer programming.  I do a lot of discrete mathematics from my time at graduate school but, you know, in terms of differential equations and, you know, Fourier transforms, that’s not something I use every day, but to have that opportunity to really get passionate about the mathematics, just for the essence of the mathematics itself, I’m really glad I had that experience, and so I learned a lesson that I didn’t think I was going to learn there in retrospect.

Why Undergrad Engineer Chooses Computer Science Grad School - Ben Hallen

In Chapter 5 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, business school professor Ben Hallen answers "How Did Your Computer Science Masters Degree Build Upon Electrical Engineering Education?" As an electrical engineering major, Hallen starts taking undergraduate computer graphics classes at University of Virginia, doing a lot of programming and building processors. Hallen finds inspiration attending a computer graphics presentation and asks the speaker about potential research work, which leads to a project and, ultimately, graduate school. Hallen is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at University of Maryland. Hallen earned his PhD from Stanford University and its Stanford Technology Venture Program (STVP). He has been a startup CTO and graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science.

Transcription: 

Erik Michielsen:  How did your computer science masters degree build upon your electrical engineering education?

Ben Hallen:  So as an undergraduate I got involved studying computer graphics.  And yes I take a lot of programming courses.  Electrical engineering is very close.  I take a lot of courses in building processors.  But I remember going to this talk and it was just the coolest thing of – I mean this is sort of before, you know, you have these modern video game machines or even my iPhone can do such great graphics, but I went to a talk given by the Computer Science Department and they were showing off these computer graphics machines.  I mean these were several hundred-thousand-dollar machines at that time, and it just seemed to be the coolest thing that you could create this virtual world at a level that then was just unbelievable. 

And then I realized that the guy giving the talk, he’s this young professor; he’s really passionate, really excited; I realized just reading about his stuff that he had come up with a lot of the algorithms that had gone into influencing a lot of video games at that time, so a lot of the 3D games had built on some of the insides that he had come up with in graduate school.  And so I approached him, just about helping out, I had a research idea, and that sort of evolved from there.  And so I got interested in computer graphics and worked with him, and then ultimately decided to go to graduate school in it.

How Grad Student Becomes Internet Startup CTO - Ben Hallen

In Chapter 6 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, business school professor Ben Hallen answers "What Led You to Launch Your Own Startup While in Grad School at University of Virginia?" Hallen notes that while studying computer graphics and software engineering, he connects interest in participating in the Internet with providing advice to young DC-based entrepreneurs. He soon finds himself working as the CTO in the startup while finishing his masters before committing full time to the startup. Hallen is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at University of Maryland. Hallen earned his PhD from Stanford University and its Stanford Technology Venture Program (STVP). He has been a startup CTO and graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science.

How Stanford PhD Program Turns Engineer into Social Scientist - Ben Hallen

In Chapter 7 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, business school professor Ben Hallen answers "Going into Your PhD Program at Stanford, How Did You Reconcile Your Engineering Background With the Expectations of Becoming a Social Scientist?" Hallen finds his engineering problem solving skills complement what his business strategy and social sciences program teaches about how people interact. Hallen is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at University of Maryland. Hallen earned his PhD from Stanford University and its Stanford Technology Venture Program (STVP). He has been a startup CTO and graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science.

Learning Business Strategy Research in Stanford PhD Program - Ben Hallen

In Chapter 8 of 21 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, business school professor Ben Hallen answers "What Was Most Challenging About Earning Your PhD at Stanford University?" Hallen finds the greatest challenge rising to the expected level of research. Understanding what it means to create high caliber research. Not only is it rigorous in understanding what is the right behavior to use, but also rigorous in that it strives to learn something that is not understood yet that applies in strategy and management. Hallen is an Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at London Business School. Previously, he was Assistant Professor of Management and Organization at University of Maryland. Hallen earned his PhD from Stanford University and its Stanford Technology Venture Program (STVP). He has been a startup CTO and graduated from the University of Virginia with a BS in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Computer Science.