Curiosity, Discipline, and Direction
My path has always been shaped by a mix of curiosity and discipline. As I take the next steps in my career, it feels meaningful for me to reflect on my academic and extracurricular journey. I am thankful for these experiences and look back on how they shaped me, and of course, how I embody them as I look forward to what’s next.
I received an early education at the Wetherby School. These years were formative to say the least, and they established strong scholastic habits, while also helping me to develop a comfort with long-term commitment.
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Athletics always played an important role in my early life. I competed as a goalkeeper at an international youth soccer tournament, a position that demanded focus, leadership, teamwork, and an ability to reflect (and recover quickly) on setbacks. I also participated in the Middlesex Cricket Borough Championships. Needless to say, sports have always been central to my life.
That blend of academic focus and extracurricular discipline carried me forward into my university years at Duke University. During my time at Duke I studied Electrical and Computer Engineering, along with Computer Science. Outside of my studies and coursework, my involvement extended into the broader university community, including representation through the Duke University Parents Committee, for example. I officially completed my undergraduate journey as a member of the Duke University Class of 2025, with graduation being a proud culminating moment for me (here’s the long commencement program and the short commencement program, if you’d like to check it out). My academic work culminated alongside peers in the Duke University Department of Computer Science 2025 Commencement Ceremony, marking a milestone that reflected years of sustained effort, reflection, and personal growth. (There was even a fun baby photo of the grads in celebration of the class of 2025 graduates, which was certainly a “look how far they’ve come!” moment!)
With a strong academic foundation from Duke University and a growing body of applied work, the next chapter will center on an exploration of complex systems, real-world engineering challenges, and opportunities that reward thoughtful problem-solving.
I’d love to connect on LinkedIn if you have advice in this space or if you have any exciting projects in development that I may be able to support. To learn more about my experience, feel free to review my current projects, read my Substack (recent posts here & here), and check out my personal website (www.alexandervanlanschot.com).
— Alexander Van Lanschot
