Benjamin Theriot is a systems analyst/programmer at McIlhenny Company, the producer of TABASCO庐 brand pepper sauce.
鈥淚 work with departments across McIlhenny Company to make sure that the software and databases being used are functioning correctly,鈥 he says. 鈥淚鈥檓 currently managing the interns within the Information Systems department.
鈥淢y goal is to help them grow as programmers and communicators while they help push McIlhenny Company forward,鈥 he says.
Benjamin started his career in graphic design. He interned at a local agency while earning his degree and worked his way up to be the art director at a magazine in Baton Rouge.
After graduation, he took a design internship at Blumberry, a marketing and PR agency in Berlin, Germany. He was able to make the move in part because of his German minor.
鈥淚f I hadn鈥檛 learned German then I never would鈥檝e worked in Berlin,鈥 he says. 鈥淭hat was a huge moment in my life that would never have happened otherwise.
鈥淲orking in Berlin taught me to have a thicker skin when it comes to my work and personal life, to trust myself but to also poll my friends for advice, and to put clarity of intentions above all else,鈥 he says.
Benjamin had to utilize a different skillset in the German program than he needed for his major.
鈥淭he visual arts program could be grueling,鈥 he says. 鈥淐onversely, the modern languages department felt like a place where I could relax as an undergrad.
鈥淒r. (Caroline) Huey always encouraged us to ask questions and to be engaged both in and out of the classroom,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 loved all of the German classes 鈥 because they鈥檙e all excellent for different reasons.鈥