The best advice these biz whizzes got upon graduation
Graduation from college is not the end, but rather the beginning of life in the “real world.”
So say many a commencement speaker tapped to give wide-eyed and bushy-tailed graduates an idea of what the future holds once they step out of the halls of academia.
While the journey is fraught with unavoidable risks and challenges, there is also a promise of great rewards.
To add to the words of wisdom to be digested by this year’s crop of graduates, the Inquirer asked some business CEOs for the best advice they received that helped them get to where they are today.
THE BEST advice was from my Mom who encouraged me to go ahead with my plan of putting up my own business, even though I had at least 10 companies willing to hire me. She said that although academic honors and a University of the Philippines (UP) diploma could boost my employment chances, nothing could replace success in business. After writing “regret” letters to all of my prospective employers, I decided to put up a small bakery business while my classmates all got hired by Makati-based firms. It took me close to 10 years before I could give myself a better pay than theirs.—Johnlu Koa, Founder, French Baker (Business Administration, UP Diliman)
I GRADUATED in the mid-eighties and the advice I got then was timeless and very much applicable even today. “Take pride in what you do and do it to the best of your ability, and strive to be the best.”
It was from my cousin who had graduated a few years ahead of me and was a significant mentor. A very important additional advice he gave me was to not allow myself to be defined by just where I was working, but to develop multifaceted interests, and pursue those interests as well.—Ramesh Ramadurai,
Managing Director, 3M Philippines (Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology)
THE BEST graduation advice came from my dad. He told me to look for a job that would expose me to further learning, training and growth, rather than one that simply paid well.
He was also very specific about zeroing in on a job that would have actual measurable output while working with a team.
Lastly, he clearly emphasized to me that future rewards definitely came to those with great leadership skills.—Rex A. Mendoza, President and CEO, Philam Life
(Business Administration, UP Diliman)
I WAS advised by one of my college professors in UP to dream big and to always keep the dream alive. This has been a great reminder through the years. And, as a UP student, an Iskolar ng Bayan, always do something for the country, to highlight how good the Pinoy is. That has been a personal inspiration—to pay it forward.—Rico Gonzales, Country Manager, Philips Philippines (Business Administration, UP)
BEING young for a college graduate with a liberal arts degree (I was only 18), I was unsure about where to go from there. I wanted to go into design or architecture. My mom recommended that I pursue a more practical course so I would be ensured of earning a living that would enable me to support a hobby, which she considered art to be. She then suggested I go to a hotel school where I could develop my right and left brains, and that I go to the best there was—Cornell University. I dutifully followed her advice and became the first Filipino graduate of the Cornell Hotel School. This was a life-changing decision, and my mom was absolutely right. I am who I am today because of it, because of her.—Annabella Wisniewski, President/CEO, Raintree Hospitality Group
ONCE I decided to apply to banks after graduating, I asked my brother-in-law, who was employed in an American bank, which was the best place to start. His advice was Citibank, even though he was working for a rival bank.—Sanjiv Vohra,
Citi Country Officer (Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
MBA, Delhi University)
I CLEARLY remember what my parents used to tell me when I was younger. It was about never compromising my integrity. They’d always tell me to stand by what is right and uphold what is true. After I graduated from college and entered the workforce, this valuable piece of advice guided me in effectively handling challenging situations and in my day-to-day decision making. My advice to today’s graduates is to protect integrity and the truth always. I believe that integrity should be a core foundation in any successful business.—Andrew L. Santos Jr., President/General Manager, Wyeth Philippines (Business Management,
Ateneo de Manila University)
MY DAD never said much but after I obtained my master’s degree and started looking for a job, he gave me the book “Passion for Excellence.” And he said, “Whatever you do, do it well, especially in the beginning. You may not be able to choose your job, but if you do your work well and build a track record, you will be able to choose to do what you want.” Another unspoken lesson, perhaps, was to love what you do. He had such a passion for his work that he never really retired; he continued to work all the way until his final days, even from his hospital bed. I think that was what prolonged his life and kept him active, fulfilled, curious and sharp. It made me realize I probably would never retire too.—Riza Mantaring, President and CEO, Sun Life Financial-Philippines (Electrical Engineering, UP Diliman; MS Computer Science, State University of New York in Albany)
THE BEST advice I received was from my mother even before I graduated from college. She said, “Value your education. It’s the only thing that your father and I can give you. Study hard because with a good education you can go places; you can land the job that you want and, with a good job, you will be able to provide for yourself; with an education, you will be able to reach out and help others.” This is what I teach and share with all my colleagues at work.—Jose C. Parreño Jr., Chief Operating Officer, The Discovery Leisure Company (Economics, UP)
I ATTENDED an alumni homecoming of Ateneo de Zamboanga University and listened to the alumni give advice to us to seek opportunities in parts of the country other than our home city. They said that it would move us from our comfort zone and make us strive harder. Remaining in our home city would not challenge us enough and would make us control our aspirations to the limitations of the locality.—Pascual Garcia III, President, PSBank (Commerce [Management], Ateneo de Zamboanga University)
MY MOM and dad advised me to be God-centered, adopt the values of working hard and praying hard so that everything good would fall into place.—Vicente Atilano,
President/CEO, Kohl Industries (Economics, AdMU)
FROM my former professor in the UP College of Engineering: “Choose the path that is least traveled.” So I decided to go into mining in Marinduque. I was the only one from my class who worked in the boondocks. They all wanted to go to the city.—Ralph Ante, President/CEO, Health Solutions Enterprises
THE BEST advice I got was from Ateneo economics professor Tony Ayala. He said the objective for my first job should not be to earn a high salary. Instead, it should be for best training and experience. He asked me to join the Exxon Treasury Division. He added that that was equivalent to going to Harvard Business School. I accepted.—Rolly Narciso, President, New Kanlaon Construction
(Business Administration MBA, AdMU)
AFTER college the best advice I got was from my grandfather who said, “You are a gifted person. To whom much is given, much is expected. Always give your pursuits your best shot.” All the joy and pride my wife and I now enjoy from our successes are mainly because I heeded his advice.—Andres Licaros Jr., President/CEO, Asian Hospital and Medical Center (Civil Engineering, UP Diliman)
THE BEST advice I got when I graduated from college came from my math professor who almost flunked me. She told me not to rush through life and gave me three good reasons. Firstly, it will spoil the fun. Secondly, when and how the journey ends is not within my control. Thirdly, I need to take in every single moment and make it count. I did not follow her advice entirely. I wish I did.—Joey Bermudez, Chair, MayBridge (Asia) Inc. (Commerce, University of Santo Tomas)
I GOT this advice from my professor.
First, while long-term goals are important, set short-term goals—two- or three-year challenges. When you overcome those challenges, they will give you much-needed confidence to move to another level of new goals. Always assess yourself and extend your vision of your life based on that.
Second, keep on learning—look for experiences in companies such as P&G, which is so huge that it will enable you to have so many chances to learn something new every day.
Lastly, keep your passion—your passion to grow and win will fuel your success.— Siddik Tetik, President/GM, P&G Philippines (Geology Engineering, Hacettepe University, Istanbul, Turkey)
