Academics

Speaker urges engineering grads to work as CEOs of their lives, careers

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – More than 1,100 students received their baccalaureate degrees at the Penn State College of Engineering’s spring commencement exercises May 3 at the Bryce Jordan Center.

This year’s commencement address was given by mechanical engineering alumnus Naren Gursahaney, president of ADT, which is the leading provider of home and small business electronic security, automation and alarm monitoring services in North America.

“Manage your career, because no one else will do it for you,” he told the crowd. Gursahaney said the graduates were “newly appointed chief executive officers” of their careers.

The ADT CEO urged the students to take an active role in managing their lives and careers. “Have a plan, but don’t be so rigid with your plan that you let great opportunities pass you by.”

Gursahaney also acknowledged the importance of social media, especially in the professional realm.

“In today’s environment what you tweet, what you put on Facebook – all of that contributes to your brand. I’m not saying don’t do that stuff. Just be sensitive to how you are portraying yourself and your brand.”

He continued, “You are a Penn State engineer. That will be part of your brand forever. The next aspect of your brand starts the day you begin your first job. Or your next research project. The next community volunteer project. The next day at graduate school.”

Last Updated May 7, 2013

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