40 Under 40: David Jacobs ’14

My soccer coach at Arcadia, Rob Nydick, taught me a lot about soccer, but the lessons he instilled about being a good person and professional were what really stuck with me after school. Five years removed from Arcadia, I still think I’m late if I’m not 15 minutes early. I would also be remiss not to mention some of my other influences, including Helene Klein, assistant dean for Honors and Accelerated Programs, and Ned Wolff, professor of Computer Science and Mathematics. They both influenced my decision to attend Arcadia and continued to guide me throughout my undergraduate career. 

Instead of looking at graduation as a finish line, I advise recent graduates to treat all that you learned and achieved at Arcadia as a starting point. Never stop learning, and you will never stop succeeding. 

Arcadia introduced me to diversity and travel in a way that I had not previously experienced. Since my graduation, these two aspects of my Arcadia experience have followed me into my career and personal life. As a student at Columbia University and an engineer in New York City, I have met classmates, colleagues, friends, and acquaintances with a wide variety of backgrounds. The diversity I encountered at Arcadia prepared me to effectively navigate each of these relationships. Furthermore, Arcadia developed my love for travel, and since graduation, I have pursued ways to travel through school, work, and leisure.