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Prominent software entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Ortner visited with students of 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ Aquinas College on Monday, presenting a talk entitled, œHow to Connect Your Liberal Arts Education with IT Software & Business.

The founder and former CEO of Capterra, an award-winning technology firm that connects buyers and sellers of business software, Mr. Ortner was quick to assure students that a liberal arts education is good preparation for the business world. œI did not go to college here, but I am a huge fan of the College, he began. œSo the first thing I want to do is commend everyone for not majoring in business. That was a great choice! I believe it™s completely unnecessary.

Indeed, he continued, he was speaking from experience. œI learned more in each month on my first job than I did in my entire four years as a business major, he continued. œSo, to me, if you™re going to spend four years studying something, study something like this, what you guys are doing. Among his current endeavors, he is chairman of Cana Academy, a nationwide organization which supports classical educators at all levels with resources and training.

œThe beautiful thing about the liberal arts is it feeds into a couple of huge skills that are greatly needed, particularly in the business world, particularly in the tech world, said Mr. Ortner. œThe more you can understand the nature of humanity, that is only going to help you in building products that better serve man. Likewise, he continued, the skills learned in the College™s classroom discussions are directly applicable in the marketplace. œCommunicating well, verbally and in writing, is a hugely valuable skill that can be translated into the sales side, the client-service side, project management, product development, so many areas.

The key, he stressed, is for liberally educated job-seekers to find those companies whose missions and cultures are best suited to their values and talents. œThe business world needs liberal arts graduates, he said. œThere™s great opportunity if you™re smart about it, and you join the right companies that have good cultures and missions and products that you can get excited about. You can make a difference ” and have a very fulfilling career.

Mr. Ortner™s visit was sponsored by the 91Ώμ»ξΑΦ Aquinas College Business Club, which brings in various speakers throughout the academic year. œYou™re a thinker when you™re here at school, he told the group of aspiring entrepreneurs. œNow you have to convert yourself in to a doer, being a person of action. To me, the ideal person of action is also a person who is a good thinker.