Charlie Shuman, MOL Class of 2019

Email: cws5725@psu.edu

From: Pittsford, NY

Undergraduate Degree: Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University

What previous internship(s) or work experience do you have?

Most of my past internship experience comes from my background in Kinesiology. I worked at a local physical therapy clinic assisting around the clinic to keep it clean and make sure patients were staying on top of their treatment plan. However, in high school, I started my own foundation called Big Helping Little. This foundation raises money for families struggling with rare diseases including medical expenses and travel costs.

Why did you choose to pursue a MOL degree?

With a fifth year of football and a completed Kinesiology degree, I saw this program as an opportunity for growth for myself. I saw this program enhancing my leadership and business skills and saw it as something I could not pass up knowing that I was going to be here for another year. The program showed me the potential to become a well rounded member of my future profession.

What has been your favorite aspect of the Smeal MOL degree thus far?

I have enjoyed getting to know my class and the MBA class. We have all come from such diverse backgrounds. I have had the opportunity to learn about different countries, religions, and languages in the time that I have had outside of class. Simply interacting with everyone has been my favorite part as we have created a positive environment within our class and the Smeal Graduate Commons.

What are your career goals and how will this MOL degree set you up to achieve those goals?

After I complete this degree, I am looking to go into Physical Therapy and open my own business. This degree with give the me the skills necessary to understand how a business runs as well as working with my employees and solving problems as they arise. The MOL degree will also help me to expand my foundation to help more families across the country.

What is an interesting fact about you that we would not find on your resume?

I played hockey for 15 years before committing to play division 1 football. While this may not sound that interesting, my resume also doesn’t state that I am 6’8″. I have never played in a hockey game with someone taller than myself on skates. Despite playing football in college, hockey was probably my first love of a sport. I didn’t start playing football until I had already played hockey for 10 years.