Michael Mauer: 'You have to put yourself out there and make your own path'

Michael Mauer

Computer Science & Asian Studies

Sparta, MI

How did any of your beliefs or interests change during your time at Cornell?

When I entered Cornell, I was dead set on becoming a software engineer. I had no real doubts on the path I would take on my education. However, as a freshman I took Introductory Japanese and fell in love with the language. This led me to take classes on subjects like Japanese history, art and religion. Today, I am double majoring in Asian studies and computer science, with a number of interesting paths open to me in the future, which will combine the interests I have developed in my time at Cornell.

What do you value about your liberal arts education?

I value the way it has opened doors to explore a wide variety of subjects. Majors like Asian studies and computer science have absolutely no connection, generally speaking. However, my liberal arts education offered me the means to pursue these two subjects, which have both become important parts of my life during my time at Cornell.

If you were to offer advice to an incoming first year student, what would you say?

As a Cornell student, there are an immense number of resources available to you. Clubs, research projects, classes — the list is practically infinite. However, the only way to weave your way through this mass of possibilities is by actively seeking out opportunities that seem interesting to you. You don’t have to know what you want to do right from the start. You just have to put yourself out there and make your own path.

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 Michael Mauer