40 Under 40: PJ Turcotte ’12

The friends and mentors that I made during my time at Arcadia have had the most influence on me, and I continue to seek their advice. Additionally, the research methods and hands-on experience in science that I acquired at Arcadia gave me the tools I needed to be successful in my graduate program and beyond. 

My biggest piece of advice is that if you want a shift in your life or a career move, you must go out and do it yourself. As a student at Arcadia, I learned that no one is going to hand you your future—you need to make it happen. 

My greatest achievement is traveling to Washington, D.C. to testify in front of members of Congress about autism spectrum disorder and the justice system. I hope that I can continue to instruct at academic institutions and help influence policies that improve the care we provide to people with disabilities.