Aaron Sweeney

What is your current role and what are your primary responsibilities?

Senior Business Strategist at Crisp. I coach law firm owners through 1 on 1 sessions that help them strategize and implement growth plans through setting financial, operational, and hiring targets. 

What skills from your time at SPHS have been most valuable to you?

Knowledge of history, logic, and mathematics has helped me over time to apply deeper thought processes to help my clients.

How did your career path evolve?

It took a while to find my calling. Started out at Auburn in the architecture program, changed to psychology and eventually got my degree in it- plus education. After a few years teaching, I transitioned to training and development for a regional non profit. From there I was recruited to work at the company I’m currently at to be a business coach for law firm owners. 

What advice would you give your past self about career planning?  about life planning?

Honestly, there’s no urgency to determine your true path when you’re 18 years old. It’s all “life planning”. I think the saying is true that if you do what you love, you never work a day in your life. Find your passion and if it’s not something that’s typical, carve out your own path. 

Who was your favorite teacher and why (and which class did they teach)?

Coach Carter. He taught social studies. I will always remember that he wasn’t afraid to share his passion with us. He was very passionate about the various details and mysteries that surrounded the JFK assassination and it just hooked me in. 

What extracurriculars did you participate in and how did that shape your time at SPHS?

I was on the soccer team and a member of art club. It’s still a part of who I am today. Soccer is my number one sport that I follow and it taught me coordination and team work. Creating art had always been a skill I had since I was very young, and art club actually connected me with one of my best friends that I still talk to today. 

What advice would you give students to maximize their high school experience?

Try everything. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Anything that’s worth achieving takes hard work. And I know it’s said all the time, but just ignore what the haters say and just be yourself. 

What are you most proud of since graduating from SP?

That I have a beautiful daughter and a career that I’ve made my own despite challenges that would have deterred many from continuing.

What are your favorite memories from your time at SPHS?

Senior year prom: me and our group of friends all went together and rented a limo. It was a great way to cap off 4 years. Also, sophomore year, our soccer team made the state playoffs (first time ever) and I scored the first playoff goal in school history. 

What did you love about being a student at SP?

That it was a new school at the time and our class were “seniors” for all 3 years there. Also the friends that I made along the way and the teachers that taught me not just facts but lessons on how to succeed at the next level.