If we could all make the "foolish" choices David Gardner has made.
Instead of following the New England prep school pack and accepting Harvard or Yale, Gardner chose The Morehead and headed south to UNC.
Although he majored in English, specializing in creative writing, he picked a career doling out financial advice.
And rather than work for someone else's stock market newsletter, Gardner opted to launch his own business.
Today, he and his younger brother run the phenomenally popular The Motley Fool, the online investment site parlayed into a newspaper column and radio show. The winsome name comes from Shakespeare — Gardner considers it a form of playful protection: "If we mess up, at least we said we were fools."
The Morehead helped set Gardner on this unexpected career path. Contemplating a career in investment banking, Gardner did one of his summer internships at a New York City firm. But then he realized two things: He didn't want to live in New York and he didn't want to work on Wall Street, finding the office work creatively stifling.
"That internship really did reorient me," Gardner said. "That was extremely helpful — and it's something I've said to incoming Moreheads: Take summer internships in something you want to do (as a career) afterward."
Knowing he wanted to combine his writing strengths with his fervent interest in the stock market, Gardner eventually founded The Motley Fool. Today, millions read the often irreverent advice offered by the Web site and its offshoots. The business employs 110, and even hosts Moreheads on internships.
"I think The Morehead gave me a wonderful opportunity to try out different experiences," Gardner said. "It's a unique time to try on different lives and see if they fit before you really have to commit."
