From Capitol Hill to Hollywood: How School of Liberal Arts Alumni Navigate Careers

What does a Philosophy degree have to do with a seat in Congress? 

Five young Tulane School of Liberal Arts (SLA) alumni recently returned to Lake Village Theater to answer this question and more during the Young Alumni Perspectives Career Panel. In collaboration with Newcomb-Tulane College Career Services and moderated by SLA Dean Brian T. Edwards, Meredith Galanti (SLA ’20), Amanda Krantz (SLA ’22), Kendall Pierce (SLA ’23), Akira Shelton (SLA ’24), and special guest Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (SLA ’08) shared insights about their careers on Capitol Hill, the White House, Hollywood, and beyond.

Each alumni brought a unique perspective to the foundations of their majors — Philosophy, Sociology, Africana Studies, Political Science, and Communication. They returned to campus to share how they got to where they are and why the journey itself is so worthwhile.

How to Figure Out What You Want To Do in Life?

Kicking off the discussion, Congressman Subramanyam advised: “The best way to know whether you like to do it or not is to do it first!” He encouraged students to intern broadly, try many things out, and ask people out for coffee chats to “pick their brains.”

As an undergraduate student, Representative Subramanyam worked at the “Tulane Hullabaloo” as a sports editor, where he explored journalism and made connections. Thanks to that experience and network, he landed an internship at ABC News, where he worked with producers on Capitol Hill. He deepened his interest in public service and came back to intern in New Orleans City Hall. 

Hurricane Katrina blew in while the congressman was enrolled as a student. Inspired to help rebuild the city, he found an unpaid position supporting the City Council and the mayor's office on various projects. That led him to take on a leadership role at the Tulane Green Club and get involved with CACTUS, Tulane's community service organization. The internships, the roles, and the relationships he created all guided him to determine what he wanted to do in life — and to have the resume to get him there. 

How to Find Your Way in The Industry/ Field?

"It is a hard truth, but in some fields, it is not about what you know but who you know," Shelton said. But getting to know people, she added, is easier than it sounds. Stay curious, start casually, and don't be afraid to ask for a professional chat. She quoted Dean Edward’s earlier words: “The network is sitting next to you right now.” She emphasized that it could be friends, professors, or even roommates who help students pivot into careers. They might not directly help with getting a job, but they can help lay the foundation to discover your sense of self and believe in it. That belief, she said, is what actually helps you secure the job.

Krantz's approach was just as direct. At the start of her career, she cold-emailed Tulane alums, hopped on phone calls, or met for coffee chats. "Even though sometimes they did not know who I was, my Tulane credentials made them trust me, and they flagged my application." Making these contacts can help students stand out, especially in the current climate of the job market.

Krantz suggested the Tulane network is a resource, but only if you use it.

How a Liberal Arts Degree Launched You into Your Career?

Speaking from her own experience, Pierce shared that the most valuable thing a liberal arts degree gave her is how to think, how to ask the right questions, how to tackle problems, and which actions to take.

"Having been a School of Liberal Arts student helps me understand how to care deeply and how to live with care and curiosity,” she said. Pierce explained that recruiters like to see the connection between the job itself and the critical thinking skills developed in other arenas, even if you don’t have the exact experience. Kendall’s work at a nonprofit called BEAR allowed her to apply problem-solving and project management — skills she learned during her undergraduate studies — to build programs and kinship between foster children and families in Houston.

In discussing why she took the chance on building her own program within the community organization, she explained: "Sometimes, what it takes is to stay true to yourself and what truly motivates you."

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (SLA’ 08) shared his experience on networking with alums.

Highlighting Young Alumni’s Journeys

The panel showcased the varied trajectories, demonstrating how a liberal arts degree often opens unexpected doors across industries.

• Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (SLA ’08) graduated with a degree in Philosophy. Living in New Orleans before and after Katrina in 2005 shaped everything. He found his calling in public service and never looked back, eventually earning a seat in Congress.
• Meredith Galanti (SLA ’20) graduated with a degree in Political Science, worked on the 2020 presidential campaign cycle, then joined the White House Transition Team with appointments at the U.S. Department of Education and the White House during the Biden-Harris Administration. She now works as an associate at Gates Ventures in New York City.
• Amanda Krantz (SLA ’22) graduated a semester early with a double major in Environmental Studies and Political Science. After working as a Regulatory and Equity Analyst for the Energy Division of the California Public Utilities Commission, she is now finishing her master's degree in Environmental and Sustainability Policy in Washington, D.C., while working as a Research Fellow for the Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2).
• Kendall Pierce (SLA ’23) graduated with a degree in Communications and Sociology and found her passion in public service. Now the Community Partnership Coordinator at BEAR (Be A Resource), she works closely with partner organizations to support foster, kinship, and adoptive placements for children and families in the greater Houston area.
• Akira Shelton (SLA ’24) is perhaps the panel's most cinematic story. A Posse Foundation Scholar who graduated with a degree in Political Science and Africana Studies, she started in the mailroom at United Talent Agency, worked her way up to the agency side with prominent content creators and influencers, and is now transitioning into production in Hollywood.