From university "snobbery" to ambition to change the world: lessons from YSU alumna Marina Mkhitaryan's successful journey

Speaking as part of the Alumni Talks series, Mkhitaryan said she had spent considerable time choosing the subject of her address. Rather than discussing her career, educational journey or professional development, she chose to reflect on a phenomenon that she believes is common among those shaped by university life.

Traditions as a firm foundation for embracing the new

"One of the previous speakers referred to 'university chauvinism'. I would call it 'snobbery' instead," she said, noting that her grandfather enrolled at the YSU Faculty of History in 1945, after the war. Recalling her grandfather's stories, Mkhitaryan described an academic environment where prominent figures in Armenian scholarship and culture taught. In particular, she spoke about linguist Hrachya Acharyan, whose lectures, according to her grandfather's recollections, were memorable not only for their content but also for his distinctive teaching style.  

"After my grandfather, my uncle and my sisters also studied at the Faculty of History, and, honestly, that legacy considerably limited my freedom of choice. Had I suggested another option when applying to university, a family council would probably have been convened to determine whether my decisions were sound," she said humorously. 

Shaping not only professional knowledge but also a broad worldview

According to Mkhitaryan, the university environment develops not only professional knowledge but also a broad understanding of the world. Family gatherings in her household often turned into discussions of history, politics and geopolitical developments, with university education forming the basis of that way of thinking.

"Whenever I think about our 'snobbery', I remember how our conversations would extend to the rise and fall of civilizations. It was the university that gave us this broad understanding of the world," she said.

Reflecting on her professional journey, Mkhitaryan said she began working at the age of 19 as a television presenter. Looking back on that period, she noted that the confidence required to assume such responsibility at a young age had largely been shaped by the university environment.

"Now, looking back, I wonder where a 19-year-old girl found the confidence to go on air during prime time and present the news. I presented international news. That confidence and sense of belonging probably came from the university," she said.

Mkhitaryan also spoke about the professional environment of the 1990s and early 2000s, when international organizations offered some of the most attractive opportunities for many young professionals. She said that choice reflected the realities of the time, but she later came to understand that developing local institutions and implementing new ideas could be equally important.

Innovation and the drive to be first

Mkhitaryan said her professional journey had always been accompanied by a desire to initiate innovations and be the first to explore new opportunities. She recalled establishing an English-language newspaper at a young age to bring Armenian stories and perspectives to an international audience.

She later became involved in various international and local initiatives, participated in the implementation of innovative programs, worked for international organizations and headed the Armenia office of the Armenian General Benevolent Union.

"Throughout my life, I have always felt the urge to try something first and open new paths. Perhaps that is what has continually driven me forward. This may be one of those 'cliches' suggesting that every self-respecting 'snob' should have a certificate from some obscure event or a diploma from a short-term course displayed in their Zoom background. But through this example, I want to emphasize one important point: all the initiatives, courses, meetings and experiences that come after university continue to complement our education and play an important role in our professional and personal development," she said. 

Setting high standards, valuing knowledge and learning to think without limits

Speaking about snobbery, Mkhitaryan emphasized that it can also have a positive side when it takes the form of setting high standards, valuing knowledge and aspiring to think without limits. However, she warned that it becomes dangerous when it turns into complacency or confines a person within the boundaries of a familiar environment.

"We must remain vigilant so that we do not isolate ourselves within our small circles and comfortable environments. Instead, we should continually move beyond those boundaries, meet new people, hear new ideas and gain new experiences," she said.

Concluding her address, Mkhitaryan stressed the importance of preserving one of the most essential qualities of a university-educated person: intellectual curiosity, which she described as crucial to both personal and professional growth.

Maintaining intellectual curiosity and intellectual rebellion

"If I were to leave one message, I would highlight intellectual curiosity and intellectual rebellion. We should not limit ourselves to our profession, university or country, but should always try to view the world from a broader and more inclusive perspective. Why are we a little snobbish? Yes, we are a little snobbish, and there are reasons for that. But there is something worse than being a little snobbish: lacking intellectual curiosity, ambition and the ability to dream. We must believe that even our small steps can change the world," Marina Mkhitaryan concluded.