Edward Eigerman From Google Visits the College of Arts and Sciences

On Friday, April 5, Edward Eigerman, Software Engineering Manager in Google’s New York City office, came to Seton Hall to meet with current undergraduate students and share how his life experiences have led to a successful career. Through listening to his presentation in the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Suite, students were able to see how Mr. Eigerman’s educational background in English Literature evolved into an information technology career in one of the world’s leading STEM corporations.

Over the course of his talk, Mr. Eigerman illustrated the importance of maintaining a flexible, open-minded attitude toward opportunities as they inevitably occur during long careers. Before becoming a Software Engineering Manager at Google, Mr. Eigerman earned an English degree at Bard College in New York. Following his liberal arts education, Mr. Eigerman pursued his creative passions and worked for Hearst Magazines and the Budapest Sun, a weekly English-language newspaper in Central Europe. Through these opportunities, not only was Mr. Eigerman able to express his creative interests and hone his writing, but he was also able to experience both office operations and communication and international culture. Interpersonal and writing skills, he says, are "crucial, no matter which professional route students may choose to take."

After having a successful career in journalism, Mr. Eigerman made the bold move to switch industries and ventured into information technology. In doing so, he worked for Apple as a technological support specialist, started his own information technology consulting company, and joined Google as a Junior Engineering Technology Lead. During his talk, Mr. Eigerman shared that "knowing he had a family to take care of, he had always wanted to pursue a career relating to STEM." Despite his educational background being in English literature, he had been pursuing his interest in coding and had learned how to code. With this skill for coding in his arsenal, he began working for Google in their New York City office. A frightening leap of faith turned into a rewarding career in Software Engineering 16 years later.

After sharing his exciting journey, traveling across the world and professional industries, Mr. Eigerman explained that "he would not have been able to take the opportunities presented to him if he did not have an adaptable mindset." Without having the adaptability to apply his effective communication skills, along with his coding capabilities, Mr. Eigerman would not have been able to take advantage of the many opportunities that have come his way. Throughout Mr. Eigerman’s talk, he demonstrated to students the importance of having a well-rounded education. By pairing his education in a humanities discipline, such as English, and learning a STEM-related skill, Mr. Eigerman was able to broaden his career opportunities and find success as the economy, technology and social context changed around him.

Mr. Eigerman continues to give back. This week, he is hosting the College of Arts and Sciences Business Boot Camp students for a day at the Google offices in New York City.

Seton Hall offers a robust B.S. as well as Minors in Computer Science and in Data Visualization and Analysis, and a Certificate in Cybersecurity, which can add a versatile, in-demand skillset to any other A&S major. Seton Hall also offers a dynamic M.S. in Data Science, which empowers graduates with data analytics and engineering skills, including machine learning, to manage big data and decision-making in various fields, from business to STEM. Coupling one of those programs with a humanities major in Creative Writing, Philosophy, Religion, History, English, or Modern Languages would prepare students to succeed as times and technologies change.

Categories: Arts and Culture