Imron Aly, B.A. 1996

1996 Major: Philosophy and Biomedical Engineering

How has being a Philosophy graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?

"While in college, I loved the balance between engineering on one hand and philosophy on the other. I was using my whole brain and challenging myself in new ways. The coursework was exceptional for my later law career. But even had I pursued an engineering career, I had an ethics certificate that would have positioned me to look beyond the problem at hand for the value propositions underlying engineering challenges. Writing and critical thinking where sometimes there is no "right answer" was very different than the engineering world, and I draw on both experiences to this day as a lawyer."

What advice would you give students in Duke's Philosophy programs? 

"Please try out some courses because the power to think through problems, large or small, is a lifelong power and the philosophy courses touch upon our core personhood to be able to discuss ethics, values, and deep meaning in our everyday classes but also future lives. Good luck to all!"