Sam Adams Brewery Founder Offers Students Advice on Finding a Career

When Jim Koch '71 graduated from college, he was confused about what he wanted to do with his life.

He tried law school. He tried business school. He even tried consulting.

Not until he founded the Sam Adams beer brewery did Koch find his life's passion.

Yesterday, Koch related his story in a Science Center speech and urged graduates to be open-minded when deciding their own future careers.

Koch related his convoluted career path to the panel with humor and offered insights about life after Harvard.

After graduating from the College, he spent six years studying and working before deciding in 1977 to start a brewing company. Koch said that he was unsure and often frustrated during those years.

"I had no basis to make real choices," he said. "I really didn't like law school."

He left a promising career at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to start the Sam Adams brewing company.

"Starting a brewery felt good and kind of cool," he said. "All the insulation I had was gone. It was an incredibly liberating experience."

Kohn advised Harvard students to consider more than just a few career paths.

"After you get out of here, everything will narrow you," he said. "Harvard opens doors for you. The downside is you get channeled into things way too early."

He also emphasized the value of happiness over money.

"You're all going to get your financial needs met," said Kohn. "Getting rich is life's biggest booby trap."

Students at the panel found Kohn a funny and engaging speaker.

"It was a spectacular presentation," said J. Benjamin Popp '01. "It was very personal, and he took pains to make it relevant. It's reassuring to hear his story as a directionless senior."

The Harvard Student Agencies (HSA) and the Office of Career Services (OCS) organized the event as part of Career Week.

Joaquin Vega '01, director of the center for enterprise said he was happy Kohn was chosen to speak.

He has the ability to "broaden students' horizons," Vega said.

Vega added Koch was a different kind of speaker amidst past panels dominated by investment banking or consulting.

In its fourth year, Career Week began with a panel Tuesday entitled "How to Get Started In a Career" and will culminate today with the 19th annual Career Forum.