A kilt-wearing alumnus and businessman returned to Kansas State to impart advice to students as part of the How I Landed My Job lecture series.
Terry Schroff, 1982 Kansas State graduate, is the founder and CEO of Quiet Light Communications, Inc. His company helps businesses in the food industry advertise and sell their products.
During his lecture, Schroff gave students advice on how to survive the world of business.
“Believe in yourself, even when no one else does,” Schroff said. “Just because they don’t, doesn’t mean you’re wrong. Set goals, write them down, set them down in front of you.”
Schroff said his business is his ultimate form of expression. He also wore a kilt during the lecture to show students that it is important to express who you are in business.
Schroff also urged students to find their niche and not over-diversify themselves.
“Find out what you’re good at, and be the very absolute best that you can be,” Schroff said.
Katie Olsen, graduate student in counseling and student development and instructor in advertising, said Schroff was chosen to be part of the lecture series because of his professional career and strategic communications perspective, and she said she can only hope for speakers like Schroff to tell students the path to success is not always straight or easy.Related:
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Olsen said a major takeaway from Schroff’s lecture was the necessity of honing basic skills.
“I think Terry did a really great job at addressing more abut how to put yourself out there and develop your own work ethic,” Olsen said.
Sheila Walker, associate vice president of development for the KSU Foundation, said she thought Schroff was a great role model for the students at K-State because he pushed them to follow their dreams and stay true to who they are, even if that means wearing a kilt on a windy Kansas day.
Tom Hallaq, assistant professor in journalism and mass communications, said he found Schroff’s speech inspiring, especially the parts about following and dreams.
“He gave some very distinctive points of advice for students, and every singe one of them was dead on,” Hallaq said.
