After teaching in Japan and law school, I clerked for a federal court judge, worked as an assistant attorney general in environmental law in Massachusetts, worked as a litigator in a Boston law firm (bad fit in many ways), then spent 30+ years as an investment lawyer at John Hancock, a family-friendly job with regular hours and enough intellectual challenges (like derivatives) to keep me interested. I have done some spare-time elementary school tutoring for many years; currently I volunteer two mornings a week in the music program at a nearby Somerville elementary school. I don't play bassoon much any more, but I have been playing the banjo and learning electric bass and mandolin; I am in two groups that regularly play farmers markets and porchfests (www.facebook.com/incorrigiblestringband). I also sometimes lead children's songs when my wife gives presentations based on books she has written (www.ellenmayerbooks.com). I am very fortunate to have two grandchildren in nearby towns; my wife and I spend a lot of time with them on weekends.

I had very little idea what I wanted to do after college. I remember junior year, sitting in the office of my favorite history professor, Tom Leduc, a small, intense man who smoked a pipe. At one point (bless him), he changed the subject and said, "Well, Pittman, have you given much thought to what you'll do after you graduate?" I hadn't, and I said something like "I thought I might try to go on and do graduate work in history." He popped out of his chair and started pacing back and forth across the room in agitation, saying "Oh, Pittman, oh, Pittman, I thought you were smarter than that." He was considerate enough not to talk about my limitations as a scholar (Steve Mintz or Gordon Hylton I wasn't), but he talked about the limited career opportunities in academia and why law school might be a better fit. I guess that's what good advisors are for.
Other memories:
Many long conversations with Brian O'Donnell, about life in general and women in particular, and living with him and Molly senior year
Freshman year evenings with Laurel Dent, Lois Sturm, Duke Johns, Toby Litovitz, David Arnow, Karen Johnson . . .
Many hours working in the language dorm kitchen, including being headwaiter over impertinent underlings like Carol Brydolf, Noreen Kelsey, Pete Willson, Nancy Bent . . .
Working as a Planned Parenthood counselor, including one winter term at their Cleveland office, learning much from colleagues like Sarah Karl.
One history class taught by Mr. Leduc, with Steve Mintz the only other student. Very little wasted time.
Several Japanese history classes with Ron DiCenzo.
Another career discussion with Mary Poovey. My summer jobs had mostly been in restaurant kitchens, and I had very little knowledge of the outside world. I said I was afraid I was just going to end up as a restaurant manager. Mary, patiently: "Malcolm. You're not going to be a restaurant manager."
Playing JV lacrosse one year. Not sure my back ever recovered.