Dear Blue Devil

I’m Danal Blessis '82

I Studied: Civil Engineering

My Current Job: Former Manager of Innovation & Knowledge Management at MTR Corporation (Hong Kong)

My First Job: Engineer-in-training and construction inspector at the Shearon Harris Nuclear Power Plant

My Biggest Fail: Graduating from Duke without taking a history or religion class

My Proudest Moment: Transitioning from an energy career in NC to 20 years in Hong Kong's mass transit railway.

A Duke Takeaway:Honing my communication skills as an engineer and learning how to have fun!

Dear Blue Devil

I'm Vijeth Iyengar A.M.'13, Ph.D.'16

I Studied: Psychology and Neuroscience

My Current Job: Director of Global Aging leading research at AARP

My Biggest Fail: Not taking time to travel with friends or take part in a semester/year abroad.

My Proudest Moment: Pivoting beyond academia post-Ph.D. and pursuing health/science policy.

My Word of Advice: Embrace uncertainty and learn to appreciate when things do not go to plan.

Dear Blue Devil

I'm Audrey Chang Ph.D.'09

I Studied: Biology (Evolutionary Genetics)

My Current Job: Exhibitions and Global Affairs at the National Museum of Science in Taiwan. I work with local and international collaborators to create and produce science content for public engagement.

My Biggest Fail: I didn’t consider alternatives to academic research until I was halfway through a postdoc.

My Proudest Moment: An educational tool that I helped create at the Smithsonian was adopted both globally and as part of the SOP.

My Word of Advice: Say yes to doing things that intimidate you.

My Duke Memory: Biology department oyster cookout and mushroom log inoculation!

Dear Blue Devil

I'm Eric Oberstein '07

I Studied: Cultural Anthropology

My Current Job: Managing Director at Harlem Stage

My Biggest Fail: I was in leadership roles early in my career and had to learn through my mistakes — it was trial by fire.

My Duke Takeaway: Be passionate about whatever you do. Bring your best self every day and surround yourself with good people.

My Proudest Moment: I am a proud husband and father, and a multiple GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY-winning producer.

My Duke Memory: I returned to Duke in 2012 to work at Duke Performances — I was honored to do that work until 2020, and ultimately was able to teach an Arts Management course to undergrads for three years.

Dear Blue Devil

I'm Taylor Price M.E.M.'18

I Studied: Environmental Economics & Policy

My Current Job: Senior Manger of Global Sustainability at AptarGroup, Inc.

My Proudest Moment: I was chosen as a “30 Under 30” honoree from GreenBiz.

My Duke Takeaway: Enjoy the ride! While you're at Duke, you will constantly be thinking about what's next, but remember to also slow down and enjoy all of the little moments too.

My Word of Advice: Never underestimate the power of connection, especially that with your classmates.