As dean for career development at Kenyon, Lee Schott takes student success seriously.
That means helping to guide the Career Development Office, which assists students in their efforts to build professional skills, secure internships, connect with alumni for mentorship and networking, and much more.
Schott, who joined the College 15 years ago in 2011, also contributes more broadly to the field by serving on the executive committee for the Liberal Arts Career Network, a consortium of about 50 selective liberal arts colleges focused on career services best practices.
With a new class of first-year students getting settled in Gambier, he took a few minutes to talk about his love of backpacking in Wyoming and why Middle Path is best when it’s cell phone-free.
Besides Gambier, where is your favorite place in the world to be?
Somewhere in the backcountry of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I spent my college summers working in Jackson Hole just so that I could spend my weekends backpacking in the Grand Teton mountain range. The Tetons are stunning, and I think of them often.
Why did you come to Kenyon?
The campus has a presence that is hard to describe, but I like the way it makes me feel. Add in an amazing array of individuals who share their eclectic passions openly and contagiously, and you soon realize there is no limit to what you can learn and experience in this singular place if you avail yourself of it. Time spent at Kenyon simply feels like time well spent.
Fill in the blank: My experience at Kenyon would not be the same without ______.
My colleagues: their humor, enthusiasm and creativity make coming to the office a daily joy.
What is your favorite Kenyon tradition?
No cell phones on Middle Path was an incredible tradition. I still honor the tradition and would like to see it come back.
What Kenyon class would you love to take — again or for the first time?
Drawing I. I find the better I am at something, the more I enjoy it. This being said, I love to draw despite being very, very bad at it. I can only imagine how enjoyable it would be if I actually learned to do it well, or even passably.
If there was a soundtrack to your Kenyon experience, what song would be on repeat?
“The Sound of Silence.” Scott Layson, my first supervisor in the CDO and someone I respected a great deal, loved this song. He passed away in 2016. Then, in 2020, during my morning commute as Kenyon’s newest dean of career development, this song came on the radio. I still get chills when I think about it.
Where do you find satisfaction outside of your studies?
Watching my daughters experience all the magic and good in our world.
What is something interesting that you have read recently?
“Shadow Divers” by Robert Kursan. Deep sea diving collides with World War II history, told by an interesting cast of characters. A great nonfiction read.
What new skill would you like to learn?
Better penmanship.
What is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?
“Turn on the light.” The advice originated from my grandpa. His observation was that we often go into a dark room to find a thing, then, believing we know exactly where the thing is, we skip turning the light on. Next thing you know, we’ve been searching in the dark much longer than had we just flipped the light on from the start. Hence, turn the light on. Don’t skip steps, just do things properly every time.
The Kenyon Ten is an occasional question-and-answer feature that highlights students, faculty and staff.