The Interconnectedness of All Things
Ilsa Ruiz Hughes
Communications and Public Relations specialist | Social value networker | Storytelling strategist | Content inspiration broker | Adaptation expert
A while ago I went to have dinner with an old college friend. We had not seen each other in maybe ten years. I told her of my life and she told me of hers. Ten years is a long time and I found her time spent, her stories, troubles, and joys extremely fascinating. While talking to her I spoke passionately about something I feel very strongly about.
When I decided to be a Spanish major I did it because I was completely entranced by the prospect of reading literature and writing as homework. But I must admit I also did it a little to spite my mother. When she knew what I was thinking, she immediately came back with the usual: what are you going to do afterwards? I didn't know back then, but I definitely didn't think I would be working for a multinational company. Nobody else did either.
My career path has changed dramatically from what I thought it would be when I was in my twenties. From the theoretical study of meaning to the very practical MBA. I found myself doubting my ability to pursue a path that seemed would be a better fit for finance, economics, and obviously business majors. That voice that told me long ago that my career choice would never land me a good job was coming back with a vengeance.
I have since found that I am not the first to walk this path, and that other humanities majors have also drifted to this side of the creative trail. I would love to talk to Ken Chenault, American Express CEO and history major to understand how he got to where he is now. It would be fantastic to ask Carly Fiorina what she applied from her medieval literature and philosophy major into her work as CEO of HP when she had that huge responsibility over her shoulders. I would ask IBM CEO Sam Palmisano what does history have to do with computers. And how do you get from English to Goldman Sachs, Mr. Paulson?
They are definitely not the only examples I found. Disney, New York Times Co., Dell, Sherwin-Williams, Campbell Soup Company, Blackstone Group, JPMorgan Chase, PayPal, CNN, Xerox, Delta, Bank of America, Avon, and P&G, to name a few, all have or have had CEOs who have what some call an unusual academic background. But, according to a SpencerStuart study, the liberal arts are just two points behind economics and two points over accounting in the most common majors for S&P's 500 CEOs. There is no doubt other strategic chief positions in Marketing and Operations have also had their share of humanities buffs in their ranks.
There is evidence of other successful stories in venture and tech investing, Supreme Court appointments, hedge fund management, Nobel prizes (not the literature ones!), and many other walks of life where we have thrived.
So, why? Why are these people making the jump to corporate jobs? What is it about them? What is it about business? Because in the end, it is a two-way street. They were as much hired to do those jobs as they accepted them and took that path. It could be related to how much CEOs themselves appreciate communication skills, creativity and flexibility in their employees. I believe studying subjects related to the human experience changes the way you think, the connections you can make, and how you can apply them to what is in front of you.
After meeting with my friend I found renewed strength in the path I've chosen. Knowing I'm in such good company, that we are interconnected by our unusual education gives me a sense of collective achievement. And I can't wait to contribute with my very own grain of sand.
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Top Employee Success Factors according to IBM's Global CEO Study: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2g3MHWwM5I