Editor's Note: Many Kennedy Center events follow Chatham House Rules, meaning the speaker cannot be referenced directly. While such events are typically off-the-record, this article is made public for the benefit of the community.
The Kennedy Center hosted an event to showcase the positive impacts of global business and liberal arts on May 14.
Students of all majors were invited to attend, and individuals from Global Supply Chain, International Relations, Entrepreneurship and other majors gathered excitedly around a long conference table.
They came to listen to a speaker tuning in via Zoom — a BYU grad currently working in a supply chain position internationally.
The goal was to give students an insider perspective on the international business sphere and the value of liberal arts education.
A former liberal arts major and experienced source regarding international business gave insight on various topics and answered the audience's questions.
He began by discussing the reason why he decided to enter business despite his liberal arts education — the desire to do meaningful work.
To some, this may sound counterintuitive. After all, working for a university, nonprofit or government organization may seem more people-centered and impactful than working for a private, for-profit company.
However, the speaker explained the positive role large companies play in boosting an economy. He referenced his time working for an oil and gas company in the Middle East.
His employer was a global for-profit company, but it had an immensely positive economic influence in the area. It brought jobs to citizens, and revenue helped fund roads, hospitals and more.
Josh Clayson, an International Relations major in attendance, inquired as to how much the speaker’s study of Arabic helped them in the business world.
Somewhat humorously, the speaker commented that it hadn’t been very helpful in getting the job. However, they noted that language skills can make a great impact on the roles one takes on in their job.
In an interview with Cory Leonard, assistant director of the Kennedy Center, he also commented on the value of language skills in business and on a resume.
“(Language proficiency) shows accomplishment, it shows intelligence it shows capability,” Leonard affirmed. “If you can do Arabic well, you can do marketing … you can learn anything.”
Many students also wanted to better understand how they could use their liberal arts degree to break into business. The speaker’s journey to business was unconventional; he didn’t consider the field until after graduate school.
His advice was to find ways to be competitive with business majors, such as gaining quantitative analysis skills as well as proficiency with everyday tools like Excel.
Perhaps most important were the speaker’s insights on the importance of hard work and developing a solid reputation. He encouraged the audience to dedicate time and energy to their work, especially early on.
With a reputation for reliability and diligence, it would be easier for them to choose their workplace regardless of their degree.
While he conceded that the job market is harder to break into coming from liberal arts, the speaker underscored one area where Kennedy Center students have the upper hand: understanding people and their perspectives.
Players in the global business game find themselves at the intersection of countless cultures, practices and biases. Learning to navigate these intersections is a skill apart from business.
Leonard also spoke to the value of a liberal arts degree in business, saying that such employees aren’t “cookie-cutter finance guys.”
A Kennedy Center background gives students a unique skill set that will put them in specialized positions at work.
Students left the meeting energized by the speaker’s comments and optimistic about the opportunities to work in international business that they can prepare for now.
“I loved his comments about how important quantitative skills are for business. Something as simple as getting good at Excel can help you get a better job,” Clayson said.
Another attendee, finance student Ben Elieson, commented on the value of developing international connections while in school.
“Something I found really useful was his perspective on getting part of your education overseas," Elieson said.
Through other forums like this, one-on-one mentorships and other events, the Kennedy Center continues to provide the best possible resources for students interested in international careers.
For details about upcoming Kennedy Center events, visit their website.