Name: Nikki Rutman
Class Year: 1996
Title/Organization: Sentinel, Managing Partner for Intelligence & Investigations; Duck Cove Consultants, Founder & Chief Intelligence Officer
1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?
Leading the intelligence team at a security consulting firm.
2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?
I was a biology major at HC which is not at all relevant to what I do now. I did internships to find my way to my former career in government intelligence which helped me transition to this role in the private sector.
3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?
Choir, radio
4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
Biology pre-med; neither applies to my career path but the critical thinking skills I developed learning the scientific methoda and the exposure to a liberal arts education showed me the world was my oyster!
5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
Critical Thinking is key! Solid research skills and preparing and planning would be the others.
6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?
Reduce the time on social media and live! Academically, intern early and often!
7. What are your thoughts on how AI has impacted or will impact your industry? What advice do you have for students as they prepare to enter a professional world where AI is prevalent?
AI can’t think critically (not yet and hopefully never) – humans must be in the loop so be the human in the loop that let’s AI help you clear your plate so you can think critically and strategically. Let AI handle the mundane tasks that it can’t hallucinate on. Don’t become a prompt monkey and be mindful of cognitive offloading.