Paul Minor

Paul Minor 

B.A. Geosciences, 2011 

College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Executive Advisory Board 

“My field-based experiences studying geology in the southern Appalachians and Western Montana were incredibly impactful on my learning,” said 2011 geosciences graduate and College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Executive Advisory Board Member Paul Minor.

“Science is all about interpretation of what you observe, and the best geologists travel by the soles of their feet, not the seat of their pants. MSU’s programs allowed me great opportunities to travel and explore, and where it all clicked for me and cemented what I was learning the classroom.”

“I’m a third-generation dawg, so my loyalty to MSU runs deep; plus, I knew I was interested in science in high school and MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences is the best in the state,” said Minor. 

During his time at Mississippi State, there was one professor in particular who had an impact on his career path. 

“There are many that come to mind; however, the late (and great) Dr. Leo Lynch was the most influential. My first courses as a geoscience major were junior and senior level courses, and I was only a sophomore and didn’t know anything. That semester, Dr. Lynch pulled me aside and said something to the effect of, ‘You need to speak up more in class, stop being so timid. Who cares if you’re wrong?’ That’s the best way to learn. That isn’t inspirational by any means, but for a young science major it removed the insecurity and naiveté holding me back from reframing how to think, question, and interpret what I was being shown. He gave me the confidence I needed to commit to being a great scientist.” 

Upon graduating from MSU, Minor worked in several different fields and now works as a financial advisor at Minor Investment Advisors of Raymond James in Jackson, Miss. 

“I started out in the oil and gas industry as a petroleum geologist, then achieved my MBA from Rice University, where I found entry into small business ownership and management consulting within the energy industry. Consulting took me all over the world for eight years, until I started a family and felt it was time to for a change of pace. So, I decided to return to Jackson to work with my father at Raymond James in wealth management,” said Minor. 

Minor now resides in Jackson with his wife Kimberly and their two children, Estelle and Marc. He loves travelling and being outdoors with his family and serves the College of Arts and Sciences and his community in various ways. 

When asked to reflect on his most meaningful professional achievement, Minor pointed to earning his MBA from Rice University and the impact A&S had on his life and career after graduation. 

“I’m most proud of achieving an MBA from Rice University in 2019, while still working as a fulltime consultant. It was a very challenging workload but became a catapult to a much more meaningful career,” said Minor. “A&S was foundational, because my collective time in the classroom, labs, and field helped shape the way I think.”