Network, network, network. Improve your communication skills. Be willing to share your opinion. Don’t be shy about asking questions.
These and other points were presented to 45 students from business and engineering classes at Homewood-Flossmoor High School who participated in a special program given by representatives of Motorola Solution’s Motorola Black Inclusion & Diversity Organization (MBIDO) on Wednesday, Feb. 5. It was part of the Black History Month celebration at H-F.
The session opened with a question-and-answer period, followed by tips on how to make an elevator pitch and build a résumé. Posen Fire Department Lt. Mark Kryzik, a Motorola employee, suited up in full firefighter gear to show students how emergency responders use Motorola equipment to communicate during crises.
Les Miller, director of product marketing, said: “I think the biggest single lie we tell students is that you’re supposed to know what you want to do right now. If you do, that’s fantastic. If you’re saying I don’t know what I want to be, that’s totally OK…You will change over time, and what you think you want to do now may change. Find something you’re interested in and pursue it but know that you should be open to other possibilities.”
This program was led by H-F Class of 2013 alumna Alyse Walker-Barajas, a project manager at Motorola, who is co-chair of MBIDO.
Walker-Barajas was using her degree in finance working at a bank. Her mentor recommended she apply to Motorola. She’s been at the company for five years and has been assigned to several different departments. Her word of advice is “networking is so important. It never stops. Also, a willingness to accept constructive criticism.”
Milton Moses Sr. who works in talent acquisition, said that in conversation he’s been able to “tell when a person is passionate.” Be a leader and remember teamwork helps all employees with their jobs, he said.
Engineer David Sullivan did an internship with Motorola as a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Today he’s working on safety equipment that will be used in Australia. He’s also a team leader and tries to improve his communication skills daily.
Jamillah Davis, a systems engineer, said in high school “I decided who I was and what I wanted and where I’d like to go. Knowing my goals kept me from taking the wrong path.” She told students to think about how decisions they’re making today will affect their future.
Doney Maxey II, an engineer and co-chair of MBIDO, said, “My day can be full of change. Be flexible and adapt to changes.” Maxey also stressed networking. “Know who your partners are, who your allies are, who your sources are.”
“If I don’t know something, I don’t pretend that I know it. I go to a source that does know it,” Maxey said. His other message was “you need down time. Find the balance. You can’t be on all the time.”
Jamaar Harris, a project manager, urged students to build a résumé. “The things you think of as résumé builders, they can really help you out later in your career,” he said, and what’s on your résumé can be a conversation starter when you’re in an interview.
Product marketing director Miller said be aware of technological changes and how they may affect your job.
“AI can only look backwards. It can’t create something that’s never been done,” Miller said. He gave the example of making decisions, for example on differences between products and why one is selected over another. Those aren’t decisions AI can help with “because it doesn’t understand those concepts. Understanding what AI can do and what you can do will keep you employable.”
Maxey advised students: “Watch out for your ego. Watch out for your pride…Think about everything you do. You’re not always going to make the right choices or the best choices but be the best that you can be. Make choices that are going to give you the lifestyle you want to have.”
