Benjamin Backsmeier

Country: USA
Subject of study: MLitt International Security Studies
Year of graduation: 2011
Type/Level of study: Postgraduate

The rigorous academic setting coupled with the international student exposure gave real and lasting foundations for my career success. The highlights of my time were the lively class discussions and the challenges playing shinty as an American new to the sport.

I enjoyed the duality of academic theory, and the practitioner experience validating the concepts of IPE (interprofessional education) and other frameworks. My degree has helped me look at problems through different lenses both as an international operations leader and as an Army Reserve officer in the United States Army. The tangible skills developed through the curriculum at St Andrews have helped me across many overseas assignments in both capacities.

Since leaving St Andrews, I have deployed and led United States service members across the world. I currently serve as a Major in the US Army Reserves for the Indo-Pacific Combatant Command as a planner. Additionally, I have led across multiple sectors and companies, including JP Morgan, gaining experience as a leader.

Today, I run the first and largest telehealth service in the United States for occupational health injury triage at Medcor. With clients and employees across three countries, we improve the lives of injured workers across all sectors and industries by providing the right care at the right time in the right place.

In both my military and civilian professions, I have sought out opportunities to help others. Whether supporting injured factory workers to planning for natural disaster support, I believe there is no better choice of profession that helping those in their time of need.

Take the risk and challenge yourself. You will grow through success or failure, but either way the growth will help in defining who you are tomorrow. My hardest challenges, even in failure, became the bedrock beliefs for my long-term success.