Learn to know your value.
That was the message keynote speaker Ken Lear presented to Grambling State University students awarded during a Honors Convocation held Thursday morning inside the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center.
As Vice President for Real Estate for AT&T, Lear, who graduated with honors with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology from GSU in 1989 before going on to earn his MBA from Saint Mary’s College in California, oversees a large corporate portfolio consisting of more than 50,000 owned and leased assets totaling 220 million square feet.
Lear shared three things from his standpoint as a GSU alumnus and corporate executive of three things he believes the honors students should be doing or plan to do to enhance their chances of one day joining him in the corporate world.
He gave them three points to consider, the first being how they plan to fit into a company’s culture.
“You want to create a college record that shows your academic success, your campus engagement and your community engagement,” Lear said.
He encouraged them to stay on the right academic track, but to remember practical application of that knowledge is even more meaningful.
“Execute on your academics, but also be a participant in the Grambling community and family, and beyond the Grambling family – the community that Grambling supports and supports Grambling,” Lear said. “Another way of phrasing this is to be well-rounded. And make sure it doesn’t look like a token. It needs to look like true, genuine participation, because what the corporate world wants is engagement. We measure employee engagement.
“Why? Productivity drives revenue. We’re seeking employees that are going to be ideal corporate citizens, so demonstrate your citizenship through your college experience.”
Lear’s second point to consider was for the students to demonstrate initiative and preparation.
“Curiosity is good, but initiative produces results,” Lear said. “When meeting a prospective employer, the way you ask questions, or what questions you ask, or how you respond, is a reflection of your preparation and readiness.
“If you don’t take the initiative to prepare before you are hired, as an employer I would assume you will not take initiative after I hire you. I won’t assume you’re suddenly going to become stellar after you’re hired if you’re not demonstrating such behavior before.”
Lear’s third point was for the students to demonstrate self-awareness.
“Lacking confidence will hinder your growth, but false confidence is a credibility killer,” Lear said. “If you perceive you have talents that you don’t, if you perceive that your execution is what it isn’t, you will make a fool of yourself, and people will quickly dismiss what you have to say.
“So, you must enter an engagement with objectivity and transparency if to no one else, then to yourself. Your strengths and opportunities will likely change throughout life. You’re constantly growing and constantly evolving. And the environment around you is changing as well.”
The honors convocation recognized GSU students on the President’s List, Dean’s List and Honor Roll as well as GSU graduate students, with all receiving medallions at the program’s conclusion.
“Today we celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievements of our talented students,” said GSU President Rick Gallot. “I am proud to announce that between the previous fall and spring semesters, over 3,500 of you have earned being on the President’s List, Dean’s List or the Honor Roll.
“Your accomplishments are the embodiment of excellence and are proof that hard work pays off. You’ve not only made yourselves and your families proud, but also have brought pride to our institution.”