In high school, Alexander Carobus (ENG’99, C’99) discovered a passion for computer games that developed into a deep interest in computers and eventually led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Penn Engineering.
After graduation, Carobus earned a master’s from Stanford and joined Google when it had about 200 employees, rising to the level of Senior Staff Engineer. There, he worked on search technologies and was a founding member of the AdSense team, the program that allows creators across 58 million–plus websites to monetize their content.
Carobus never lost his love of games, and in 2009, he co-founded Wild Shadow Studios and created Realm of the Mad God, which became a critical and commercial success.
Now, 25 years after graduation, Carobus reflects on his time at Penn Engineering and why, as a member of the Benjamin Franklin Society, he has prioritized continued support of the School’s Annual Fund.
What drew you to computers and, eventually, to study Computer Science at Penn?
Like most engineers, I was always driven to understand how things work and to use that understanding to build new creations. Computers became a natural target of this desire and I wanted them to be the primary focus of my studies in college. However, I also had other interests I wanted to pursue, and being able to do a dual degree in Computer Science and Psychology really attracted me to Penn.
Why did you leave Google to found your own gaming companies?
Google was an amazing place to do engineering. Being able to work on projects that had a global impact with world-class engineers was an incredible opportunity. But, my passion was still for games and I could not pursue it inside Google. Building a company brought a new set of challenges, but creating a game and having players respond to it was the best experience of my professional life.
How did Penn Engineering contribute to your current success?
Much more important than any single skill or technology, a great engineering education gives you a general set of mental tools for approaching problems. In computers, change is constant, so what Penn Engineering did was allow me to learn how to learn, which is essential to finding the best solutions.
What would you like to say to current students?
I like to say that college is like training wheels for real life. You can make mistakes and try things out, and those mistakes aren’t as high-stakes because you are learning within a safety net of mentorship and support. So, take advantage of this time to explore.
Why is it important to you to give back to Penn Engineering?
I love Penn and feel grateful to it for all the opportunities it gave me. My time at Penn and everything I learned from my professors and fellow students formed the basis of all I did in my career. I am happy I can help the next generation of graduates to start their own adventures.
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