ATHERTON, Calif. — Students, parents and community members gathered at the Atherton Library on September 16 for “Navigating the AI Era: Careers, College & What’s Next,” a community conversation focused on how artificial intelligence is reshaping education, careers and the path to college.
Presented by the Atherton Senior Task Force, Menlo College, the Atherton Library and Top Tier Admissions, the event brought together Menlo College faculty, a Menlo alumnus, Silicon Valley expertise and college admissions professionals to offer practical perspectives on navigating a rapidly changing AI landscape.
The program expanded on a community conversation held last spring, focusing on where artificial intelligence is headed, how AI is changing careers and hiring, and what students should consider as they prepare for college in the AI era.
Understanding What’s Next in AI
Dr. Fabian Eggers, Professor of Marketing & Entrepreneurship at Menlo College, moderated the conversation, connecting developments in artificial intelligence to the choices students and families are making today.
Dr. Sonia Saheb, Director of Business Graduate programs and Assistant Professor of AI & Innovation Strategy at Menlo College, provided an update on the evolving AI landscape and what emerging technologies could mean for education, business and society.
“AI is evolving at a remarkable pace, and students today are preparing for careers that may look very different from the ones we know now. Understanding AI is becoming an important part of being career ready, but it is not simply about learning how to use a new technology. Students need to develop the curiosity, critical thinking and judgment to understand what AI can do, where it has limitations, and how to use it thoughtfully and effectively. That combination of technological fluency and human skills will be increasingly important in the workplace.”
The discussion reflected Menlo College’s focus on preparing students to be Future Ready Now, developing the skills, adaptability and judgment needed to succeed as technology continues to transform the workplace.
Preparing for an AI-Driven Workplace
Menlo College alumnus and serial technology entrepreneur Massi Genta ‘16 brought a Silicon Valley perspective to the conversation, discussing how AI is changing careers and the skills employers increasingly value.
Representatives from Top Tier Admissions extended the conversation to college preparation, discussing what high school students and families should know as AI becomes increasingly present in education and the admissions process.
Connecting the Conversation to the Menlo Experience
For Menlo College students, the event offered another opportunity to connect their classroom learning with perspectives from faculty, alumni, industry and the broader Silicon Valley community.
The community conversation reinforced Menlo College’s Future Ready Now approach to education. As AI continues to reshape education and the workplace, preparing students for what comes next means giving them opportunities to understand emerging technologies, engage with professionals and apply what they learn to the changing world around them.
Media inquiries: pr@menlo.edu
About Menlo College
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College is a small, residential liberal arts and business college dedicated to preparing students to be Future Ready Now. Through a highly personalized educational experience that combines rigorous academics, applied learning, mentorship, and direct access to one of the world’s most innovative economies, Menlo College helps students convert education into measurable career and life outcomes. For more information, please visit our website or contact pr@menlo.edu
