Dan Solomon ’23
Alumni Spotlight: Master’s in Wine and Beverage Management
“The residencies in the Napa Valley were truly life changing. Walking the vineyards with the people that have dedicated their lives to their craft was incredibly inspiring.”
Why did you decide to pursue a master’s degree and what made you choose the CIA’s master’s program?
CIA is the gold standard in food, wine, and hospitality education. In looking at master’s programs to equip myself with the skills, knowledge, and network to switch careers—first from the military, then to the world of technology and now to the world of hospitality—there was nowhere else I’d rather be than CIA.
What advice would you give to others thinking about getting their master’s degree at CIA?
It’s a rigorous program, but the content, faculty, and of course, fellow classmates make it well worth it.
What course or experience most impacted you? How has it helped you meet your career goals?
The residencies in the Napa Valley were truly life changing. Spending time with faculty, my cohort, and industry professionals was priceless. Walking the vineyards with the people that have dedicated their lives to their craft was incredibly inspiring.
How were you able to balance your personal life and job with your studies?
It’s hard. Three young kids, both my wife and I have full-time jobs, and we are extremely busy. But it’s worth it. It’s such a privilege to have this opportunity, to get to know our professors and to build an incredible network and lifelong friendships with my classmates.
What do you consider to be the strengths of the CIA master’s program?
Great faculty, extremely knowledgeable, broad network of professionals that are generous with their time.
How has the CIA master’s faculty supported your education and professional development?
The faculty has provided us with a foundation to be successful in the industry. They are always generous with their time, answering questions about career opportunities, their own past experiences, or just their opinion on a great glass of wine!
What networking opportunities and CIA connections does the master’s program provide?
The network of CIA grads and the name recognition of the university are invaluable. Also, the networking opportunities among the cohort are really great as well.
