What would you advise young people to study today if they’re looking to be successful in the innovation world? That’s the question we posed to some of the smartest people we know in San Diego. Hear more from these folks this October at the Maker Faire in Balboa Park, part of Innovate San Diego Week.
“Learn communication, data science, and sustainability. Even though these topics seem unrelated, they are all connected in the workplace.”
—Orianna Bretschger, J. Craig Venter Institute. Her majors: BS in physics and astronomy; PhD in materials science
“It’s so easy now to build your own robots or apps. There are free software tools, cheap hardware kits, and great YouTube videos to guide you through the process. Just have fun with it.”
—Curt Schurgers, instructor and researcher at UC San Diego; director of the QI Prototyping Lab. His major: electrical engineering
“There are vital, life-advancing values in a liberal arts education.”
—Reginald Jones, president and CEO, Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation. His major: music and anthropology
“Study the basics of business, in a hands-on type of school.”
—Fernando Aguerre, president, International Surfing Association. His major: law degree from Argentina’s Mar del Plata University
“Pick a major where you’re going to be able to work with a lot of different people, so that you can develop real relationships.”
—Bryan Pate, CEO, ElliptiGO. His major: earth systems
“Start making and building anything you can think of; it doesn’t matter how small. You learn every step of the way.”
—Nathan Delson, PhD, faculty director of EnVision Arts & Engineering Maker Studio at UC San Diego. His major: mechanical engineering
“Our major recommendation is to do the ‘push-ups,’ and if you fail at something, fail fast and try again. University makes you book smart and trade schools make you skills smart—but the key is to take either or both of those and become ‘market smart.’”
—Jay Taylor, CEO, LALO Tactical. His major: human kinetics
“Take advantage of seminars, internships, online courses, and opportunities to explore.”
—Barbara Bry, chief operating officer, Blackbird Ventures; candidate for San Diego City Council District 1. Her major: bachelor’s degree in sociology; MBA
