An accomplished mathematics scholar, Mitchell Young ’21 never planned to be the one leading lessons after graduating from Franklin & Marshall.

He initially entered the government sector and worked as a fiscal analyst, assisting with tax revenue projections.

“After 15 months, I decided to make a career change to being a high school math teacher,” said Young, who teaches at Central Dauphin High School in Harrisburg, Pa. 

Young was part of a recent panel on campus that featured four F&M math majors who took distinctly different career paths: an actuary, a data scientist, a mechanical engineer and a teacher. 

“You have this liberal arts education that provides so many experiences and perspectives. It really allows you to stay grounded and on a stable foundation as you navigate your career path,” Young said.

See what these alumni have to say about their student experience.

Why did you choose F&M?

Mitchell Young ’21

• Occupation: High school mathematics teacher
• Location: Harrisburg, Pa.
• Major: Mathematics
• Minor: Music

I came into F&M as [an intended] cultural anthropology major. I wanted to go somewhere where I could get a little bit of everything, because I found so many subjects fascinating. It was a liberal arts school that gave me the opportunity to really engage in everything. 

I really valued the opportunity to actually know my professors and my peers. I knew if I went to a large state school, that might not be the case. I wanted to have that collaboration and F&M absolutely provided that.

"I wanted to go somewhere where I could get a little bit of everything, because I found so many subjects fascinating."

Mitchell Young ’21

Eve Anderson ’15

• Occupation: Assistant director, actuarial sciences at Johns Hopkins Health Plans
• Location: Baltimore
• Major: Mathematics
• Minor: Music

Taking creative writing classes, conducting the orchestra… All of these things have given me a different approach than someone who just went to a bigger school for math with an actuarial program. 

I love seeing data and then turning it into a story and presenting it. That's a different approach I take and I attribute that to F&M and getting a well-rounded education. 

"Taking creative writing classes, conducting the orchestra… All of these things have given me a different approach than someone who just went to a bigger school for math with an actuarial program."

Eve Anderson ’15

What advice do you have for students interested in studying mathematics at F&M?

Shaina Bliss ’17

• Occupation: Data scientist, Teladoc Health
• Location: San Francisco
• Majors: Mathematics and business, organizations & society
• Minor: Economics

Talking to your professors is huge. Get to know them, why they are teaching math and what kind of research they're doing. Relationships with professors and fellow math majors are pretty key. 

"Talking to your professors is huge. Get to know them, why they are teaching math and what kind of research they're doing."

Shaina Bliss ’17

Eric Nehrbas ’15

• Occupation: Mechanical engineer, Phillips 66
• Location: San Francisco
• Major: Mathematics

F&M is unique. Be it math, chemistry or engineering classes: You get to take a lot of cool stuff outside of [your major]. Stop and enjoy both that classroom setting and your time at F&M. Recognize what you’ve got, because it’s a special four years of your life. 

Looking back on it, the well-rounded way I'm able to approach things is due to my time at F&M. I think some engineers definitely struggle with that. They can get too technical.

"Looking back on it, the well-rounded way I'm able to approach things is due to my time at F&M."

Eric Nehrbas ’15

Professor of Mathematics Christina Weaver, Tech Oh ’25 and Menelaos Raptis ’26 facilitated this alumni panel.