Interview with Gerard Lam, '00 Management Science & Information Systems

In college I learned how to multitask and prioritize in order to get things done and to do other things beside hitting the books.  My business law and linear programming classes definitely helped mold my thinking pattern and the lessons learned has helped me even till this day.  Learning to constantly think ahead, hedge risks, and how to optimize decisions are key skill sets for a successful career.

What advice would you give to current Smeal students about life after graduation from Penn State?

One of the best things that I’ve learned is to always choose the harder path and get out of the comfort zone. That’s how you learn how much you can push yourself, spur innovation, and drive creativity.

What do you enjoy the most about your position at SANpulse?

The people I work with are great and every day is a different day. There’s no “Groundhog Day” for me. We grew from 4 people to 20 people to 50 people and we are continuing to expand.  That makes each day a challenge and at the same time we continuously improve various aspects of the company.

How would you describe your time at Penn State?

Penn State allowed me to grow as a person and afforded me many different avenues to try new things and tap into a creativity which helped shape my career. Everything is right there for you at Penn State; it’s just a matter of what you want to take on.

What have you done to stay connected to Smeal since you’ve graduated?

When I started my company in 2005, I knew I wanted to give back to Penn State. Since then I’ve been in contact with members of Smeal. After how much I’ve received from Penn State personally, I feel there’s not enough I can do to really give back. But, in the next five years I want to be able to start something big at Smeal because of the role Penn State has played in my success.

Quick Questions

Role model?

High school coach

Best class at Penn State?

Architecture class – no tests, no books, we just walked around campus

First job?

Golf course caddy

Favorite thing to do in NYC?

Looking at different coffee houses and artists

Most exciting place you've visited?

Cabo, Mexico