Johan Heurlin, a 2010 Denison graduate, has a story that perfectly captures the resilience, creativity, and adaptability that make Denisonians stand out. Graduating towards the tail end of the recession, Johan faced a daunting job market. As a former international student, he knew he had additional challenges, but instead of backing down, he decided to bet on himself.
He packed everything he owned and headed to San Francisco, drawn by the buzz of Silicon Valley. Johan had heard about the opportunities in tech and thought, “Why not take a chance?” Once there, he hit the ground running, applying to as many jobs as he could. Knowing that it was a highly competitive market, he took stock of his unique strengths. That’s when he realized his multilingual skills—Swedish, German (thanks to high school classes), and English—could give him an edge.
Then came the big moment: an interview with Apple. Confident and ready to prove himself, Johan walked into the interview—only to discover that it would be conducted entirely in German. Despite the curveball, he pushed through. While he walked out feeling less than sure about the outcome, just days later, he received the life-changing news: he got the job!
Advice for Students
Reflecting on his journey, Johan has this advice for current Denisonians:
- “Good grades help, but don’t stress too much. You can have a great career even without a perfect GPA. Spending four years overly stressed will hurt more than it helps.”
- “Take advantage of Denison’s unique opportunities. Try new activities, even the ones that feel scary or outside your comfort zone. You never know where they might lead.”
- “Don’t sweat college parties. They might seem important now, but the real fun begins when you graduate and have an income. Use this time to explore extracurriculars, classes, and resources that will be harder to access later.”
How the Knowlton Center Helped
“The Denison alumni network was a lifeline. It connected me with alumni in San Francisco, helped me land my first internship after graduation, and even helped me find someone to share my first apartment with. These connections were pivotal to starting my career on the right foot.”
