DAVE GLASCO

FIRST JOB OUT OF UNDERGRAD:
My first job was as a Marine Engineer at Valiant Yachts.

MOST MEANINGFUL CAREER PROJECT:
First was the Cheoy Lee 65 Pilothouse Motoryacht. That was meaningful because it was the first design in which I was the project manager. You learn a great deal on your first project. The second which is equally meaningful is the Kadey-Krogen 52 Raised Pilothouse. It was the first project that I helped to define in the early stages, so was more involved in the overall concept rather than just putting the design together and making it work.

HOW DO YOU USE YOUR DEGREE IN EVERYDAY LIFE?
My degree gave me a foundation to put together the tools I needed to function at my job. At every job there are things to learn, you won’t walk in and know everything the first day. The degree helps you to understand the concepts behind what is going on, what you learn on the job are the details and specifics.

WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUR WORK?
What I do is so unlike what most anyone I know does. I know people who went to work for large companies, sat in cubicles, did their work, corrected the red marks and started their next project. My work has not always been easy, not always been stress-free, but it’s never the same. It’s never boring.

ADVICE FOR STUDENTS:
Pick a career that you think you will enjoy. That’s really what’s important, financially you will do fine with your UM degree so don’t worry about that. Working at something you enjoy will help make all of your life more pleasant.