A school that claims the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as one of its biggest benefactors might be considered hostile territory to the folks at Apple, but one of Steve Jobs' top dogs came anyway to share his career experiences and offer advice.
John Brandon, Apple's vice president of the Americas and Asia Pacific, spoke to a crowd of approximately 75 undergraduates Tuesday afternoon in the La Barre Auditorium in the Social Sciences Building. The Economics Student Union hosted the event.
After an April Fool's prank suggesting one lucky audience member would find an iPod touch taped to the bottom of his or her chair, Brandon began by briefly narrating how he went from being a European history student hoping to attend graduate school to working for a tomato paste factory and through several sales and management positions until finally achieving a high position in one of America's most successful companies.
"It's been a wild ride," he said. "And it usually won't be a straight line in your own careers. It's a series of choices and opportunities, and it's up to you to make the most of them."
Although many in the audience were economics majors considering futures in the corporate world, others-like freshman Amy Zhang, who is considering a career in medicine-found Brandon's advice applicable to other careers.
"I thought it was a really unique opportunity," she said. "And I liked hearing that his route wasn't as straightforward as you might have thought."
Brandon also provided a list of the top 10 tips for students preparing for their first post-graduation jobs. The first five were practical maxims for making the most of the experience.
In Brandon's second point, he advised students to avoid start-up companies when seeking their first jobs in favor of established corporations, in order to learn the essential skills from the best.
"Capture the good DNA as quickly as you can," he said.
The last five concerned more private matters, such as personal ethics and balancing work and family. With his wife and his youngest daughter Jenni Brandon-a Duke freshman-in attendance, Brandon cautioned students, particularly those considering a future in investment banking, against neglecting families for time spent on the job.
"I've seen so many people exchange their marriage for market share," he said. "And if you're thinking about investment banking, you have to know the banks are going to own you. So you need to go in with eyes wide open."
Brandon advised students to maintain a high standard of business ethics and stressed honesty and cooperation.
"Look out for each other-sharing information is a good thing," he said. "Don't become one of those people who sees colleagues as the competition. They end up becoming a cancer in the organization."
Freshman Ben Klitus said he enjoyed Brandon's presentation and, as someone considering a future in business, likes hearing other people reflect on their career paths.
"It was also refreshing to hear someone talk about business ethics and issues that often aren't really addressed," he said.
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