Career Lessons for Career Lessons for Millenium GenerationMillenium Generation

Dr. Hema KrishnanDr. Hema KrishnanProfessor of Strategy & Global BusinessProfessor of Strategy & Global Business

Xavier UniversityXavier UniversityCincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.

Coimbatore, 2015Coimbatore, 2015

BackgroundBackground

► I.I.T. Delhi, 5-year integrated Engg. PhysicsI.I.T. Delhi, 5-year integrated Engg. Physics

► I.I.M. Bangalore, MBAI.I.M. Bangalore, MBA

►Univ of Tennessee, Knoxville, Ph.D. Univ of Tennessee, Knoxville, Ph.D.

► Sales Officer/Sales Coordinator (HPCL):Sales Officer/Sales Coordinator (HPCL): First woman to be appointed to a salesFirst woman to be appointed to a sales position in the petroleum industry in Indiaposition in the petroleum industry in India

Current portfolioCurrent portfolio

► 1993-present; Faculty in the College of 1993-present; Faculty in the College of Business at Xavier University, Business at Xavier University, CincinnatiCincinnati

► Department Head, 2004-2209Department Head, 2004-2209► Associate Dean, 2009-2014Associate Dean, 2009-2014

Opportunities for Opportunities for MillenniumsMillenniums

► India: India: 209-12 GDP growth 7.5%209-12 GDP growth 7.5%

2013-2015 5-6%2013-2015 5-6%

Third largest economy in the Third largest economy in the world!world! EntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurship

►Overseas: Graduate Studies, Overseas: Graduate Studies, EmploymentEmployment

(Auto firms, Consulting firms, (Auto firms, Consulting firms, Hospitality, Construction, Pharma, ITHospitality, Construction, Pharma, IT))

Threats faced by Threats faced by MilleniummsMilleniumms

► Competition: Domestic and OverseasCompetition: Domestic and Overseas

► Succeeding against the backdrop of a weakSucceeding against the backdrop of a weak

infrastructure in India, increased inequalityinfrastructure in India, increased inequality

► Changing societal norms and valuesChanging societal norms and values

► Security and Privacy concernsSecurity and Privacy concerns

► Environmental and Health concernsEnvironmental and Health concerns

How to Capitalize on How to Capitalize on OpportunitiesOpportunities

►Build sound foundation skills from high Build sound foundation skills from high school and beyond; technical expertiseschool and beyond; technical expertise

Hardwork; Multiple revisions of lessonsHardwork; Multiple revisions of lessonsDiligence, Punctuality, AmbitionDiligence, Punctuality, AmbitionProactive approach to assignments and testsProactive approach to assignments and testsClarify doubts immediatelyClarify doubts immediatelyDo not ignore any topic or chapterDo not ignore any topic or chapterKeep in touch with, and take the help of Keep in touch with, and take the help of academically outstanding senior studentsacademically outstanding senior students

How to Capitalize on How to Capitalize on OpportunitiesOpportunities

► Sound written and oral communication Sound written and oral communication skillsskills

**Focus on improving your English language skillsFocus on improving your English language skills*Focus on written communication*Focus on written communication*Use polished language even in your email *Use polished language even in your email communicationcommunication*Ensure that you edit your reports/assignments *Ensure that you edit your reports/assignments at at least three times before submissionleast three times before submission*Read the editorial pages in the newspapers*Read the editorial pages in the newspapers*Improve your oral communication skills; ask *Improve your oral communication skills; ask questions in classquestions in class

How to Capitalize on How to Capitalize on OpportunitiesOpportunities

►Appropriate attireAppropriate attire

*Wear the right (appropriate) clothes for *Wear the right (appropriate) clothes for every every situationsituation

* Be well groomed whenever you are in a * Be well groomed whenever you are in a public public setting (school, college, interview, setting (school, college, interview, etc.)etc.)

* Give top priority to personal hygiene and * Give top priority to personal hygiene and cleanlinesscleanliness

How to Capitalize on How to Capitalize on OpportunitiesOpportunities

► Tap into all resources to finance your Tap into all resources to finance your education, but take personal education, but take personal responsibility for repayment of loans.responsibility for repayment of loans.

►Utilize adequate Stress Management Utilize adequate Stress Management coping coping

mechanisms.mechanisms.

How to Capitalize on How to Capitalize on OpportunitiesOpportunities

► Cultivate Strong interpersonal skills Cultivate Strong interpersonal skills

►Be ambitious and hardworkingBe ambitious and hardworking

►Build self confidenceBuild self confidence

►Be ethical and honestBe ethical and honest

►Be positiveBe positive

How to Capitalize on How to Capitalize on OpportunitiesOpportunities

► Focus on life-long learningFocus on life-long learning

In the next two decades after the completion In the next two decades after the completion of your undergraduate studies, capitalize on of your undergraduate studies, capitalize on opportunities to broaden your outlook and opportunities to broaden your outlook and portfolio by enrolling in evening classes. Earn portfolio by enrolling in evening classes. Earn advanced degrees in your background; learn advanced degrees in your background; learn a foreign language, learn an art; Read a foreign language, learn an art; Read newspapers and periodicals on a regular newspapers and periodicals on a regular basis. Do not be addicted tobasis. Do not be addicted tosocial media or to computer/video games.social media or to computer/video games.

ConclusionConclusion

►Remember-----There is no substitute forRemember-----There is no substitute for

hard work, perseverance, and honesty!hard work, perseverance, and honesty!

Good Luck!Good Luck!