Chapter 24

“I will” Campaign:

Why Wait?

November 2013

As a college student I am continually looking for advice about my future career and every time I have learned something completely different. However, this past time I learned more than I had ever expected.

On Nov 20, 2013 I walked into Dr. Jeremy Petranka’s or Dr. J’s office for a time to know him better and also for me to ask him some questions. Dr. J is the professor for my ECON 410: Intermediate Microeconomics class and I thought it would be beneficial to ask him questions regarding some of the business experiences he had been through.

The conversation began with me introducing myself and sharing some of the interests I had. What some of you might not realize is that in large lecture classes, such as the ECON class I am in; your professor might not ever know your name. So you must reach out!

After listening to Dr. J give me his background, I became the inquisitive person that I am. “If I know I want to own my own business, should I work at a large firm first?” “How do you choose between a family and a job, what are the time constraints with each job?” I kept spitting off questions like those, until he stopped me. He said, “Your probably 19, you don’t need to worry about if you are going to have a family or not, that’s something you don’t need to worry about.” He went on to explain that if you meet someone and your job becomes too much you “shift,” as he called it. Then he went on to attack the next question, he asked me simply “Why do you want to own your own business?” My answer was simple, “I want to make a difference, and I have a passion for business.” He then followed my answer with, “Then why work at a company?” I told him I had always heard that working at a company would be smart choice economically and I would learn more about running a company. He smiled and said, “Start-ups and Fortune 500 companies are totally different things, and if you want to start your own business don’t wait.”  For the first time in a non-exam like setting I was stumped.

When I came to Carolina I thought I had it all figured out. I wanted to graduate with a business degree, work for a big company for a few years, and then open my own company. However, Dr. J presented me with a dilemma. Why would I wait? He explained more about how he became a professor at UNC-Ch. He told me that he had always wanted to teach, but went against that and became a consultant for quite some time. He said he enjoyed his time as a consultant, but ever since becoming a professor he has found much more enjoyment. His words of, “If you know that’s what you want to do, start now, don’t wait,” kept repeating in my head.

We spoke for a bit longer on my future career and the more I sat in his office the more my eyes were opened. He warned me about getting what is called the “Halo Effect.” The Halo Effect is simply getting hooked on every idea that one sees or hears. Dr. J told me that in order to be successful in finding the right idea, you must analyze everything. Just because it sounds fun or exciting, doesn’t mean it is profitable or worthwhile.

Before I left his office he told me to continue to reach out for advice about anything. Without hesitation I informed him that he would be my go to man for business related questions.

I left his office a bit confused, but definitely a conversation that was much needed. I believe reaching out to professors with topics outside of the classroom is a great way to get to know them better and also a way to expand your knowledge. Since neither one of my parents are in the business field I have never had a business type of mentor, and I am grateful to have met Dr. Petranka. 

A few days after meeting with my professor, I sat down to reflect on what we had talked about. I concluded that I wasn’t exactly ready to own my own major business, but I was ready to start something else.

I have started an “I will” list. A list that I will follow in the next year and the list contains a variety of different things such as small goals and places to visit. This list is simple, yet it is something that will get me one step closer to my big overarching goals. Usually people make New Year’s resolution on things they aren’t going to do, but I am making a list of things I will do.

My challenge is that you will make an “I will” List for the upcoming year. Really make the list, and remember the list doesn’t have to have huge activities, just small tasks. I am firm believer in investing today for a richer tomorrow. The list will also let you see what you have accomplished throughout the year.

At the top of my list I wrote this paragraph to remind me of the importance of the list.

“I could die tomorrow. There is a great chance I could die tomorrow. I am making this list so that I will accomplish small tasks/goals I have for myself. I believe each individual task/goal will be an opportunity for me to become a better person. For now on I will do things that I have always wanted to do. No more waiting, the time is now! The goal is not to finish the list, but to continue to add to it. Once a task/goal is completed another will be added. If for some reason you are reading this and thing it is “dumb” or not worth it, you must start a task. You will be successful in this next year. It will be awesome, and I will live 2014 like its my first year on Earth.

Nothing is promised, and you will pursue these things because one day God will call you home. Now get to work”

Here are some of the things that are on my list for 2014

·         Be accepted into Business School

·         Go to London

·         Make the Dean’s list

·         Become a better person/Christian/brother/son/uncle

·         Wake up early at the beach to watch the sunrise

 

My list is simple, but its mine and it will lead me through this next year. I am big on goals. It is my challenge for you to become that way as well.

I will… it’s that simple.