Ed Milde

Professionals - Evening
Current Industry/Job: Exploration Geologist
From: Brooklyn, NY

Favorite quote and why:

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Not a strict "quote" since it comes from a song (and probably overused), but I always liked this one because the current career course I am on is most definitely not the same path I started out on several years ago. I went from being a city boy, to a student geologist who spent all of his time outdoors, to a professional geologist who continued to spend all of his time outdoors, back to being a student geologist, and finally back to a professional geologist while also being a student...again. My life has taken a lot of turns that I didn't originally plan for. Moving down to Texas was a big step for me, but I somehow ended up exactly where I needed to be.

If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor and why?

Queen Elizabeth II. Not only is she going to live forever, but she has the class of royalty and knows how to be sassy when she needs to be. Calm and collected under pressure, she would definitely have some valuable advice for living life. Ideal mentorship opportunity. 

Best memory from your first year in the MBA program:

The Oil and Gas ILE Simulation class was pretty incredible. Seeing everyone interact with one another in character playing various roles in industry and government was not only interesting, but it was hilarious as well. Having to play the role of a tree hugging member of an NGO was both challenging and amusing at the same time. People really got into the different parts they had to play, and that made it a really fun two days in the end. Valhalla too...definitely grabbing drinks with everyone at Valhalla.

What story does your family always tell about you?

I couldn't pronounce the letter "D" properly when I was younger. My full name is Edward, but when asked I responded that I was named "Eggwood". My parents will apparently never let me forget this.

What advice would you like to provide incoming students?

Take the time to meet everyone. Say yes to any event that you can, especially if it is new or out of your comfort zone. If you are interested in something going on on campus, go to it. Leverage your classmates and their different backgrounds, it is invaluable when making it through some of the courses you find more difficult. The community here at the Jones School is one of its greatest aspects, use it to your advantage.

Any additional unique facts you would like to share:

I'm colorblind. I have a lot of trouble with blue, green, red and orange. It poses a real problem for me in life. I have to avoid light green colors (teal and turquoise are my nightmares) and blues when picking my outfits in the morning. Otherwise I end up leaving the house looking like a Christmas Tree. Fun Fact.