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Honoring Education: A Keynote Speech about Connecting

By: Marijean Jaggers | 05/28/2010

This week I was honored to provide the keynote address at the Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center's completer ceremony. This event, a bit different than a traditional graduation, honors and awards students that have completed a field of study in technical education. The group of 140 high school students earned certifications to be masons, cosmetologists, opticians, plumbers, barbers, mechanics and more. Fifty adults walked the stage to accept their certifications -- training that for some, allow for re-entry into the workforce. I am so proud of every one of the students (and I'll admit, got a little teary-eyed as so many of them hugged their instructors on stage).

Here is an excerpt of my remarks to the students:

As a member of the CATEC Foundation board, and a community member interested in education, I have admired CATEC up close. I have connected with students, faculty members, fellow Foundation board members, facilitators and mentors in the entrepreneurship program. It has been thrilling to watch the school -- its students and faculty -- adopt new technologies and concepts to create an experience that contributes to lifelong learning.

I've been called upon to speak to CATEC students before -- students in the entrepreneurship program with whom I will one day, no doubt, do business.

I also had the privilege of being part of the entrepreneurship review team, evaluating students' business plans.

What strong voices you have!  I have been so inspired by every one of the CATEC students I meet -- on paper or in person.  Tucked away in my head are names of students who I won't soon forget. I fully expect to be reconnected with you as businesspeople, vendors, contractors and trusted service providers in the near future.

My friends and colleagues often call me a "connector;" I take great pleasure in connecting one person to another. I love helping someone find a job or introducing potential business partners -- connecting the dots of our human network.

Because of my passion for connection I have specialized in social media and in social networking. It's a passion I share with your school's director, Mr. Bonham. My social network, as it is represented online or in person, is wide and deep.

I am proud that my network contains individuals I've connected with throughout my life. My network allowed me to help old friends find the jobs of their dreams and connect colleagues whose collaboration took their careers to the next level.

As I've mentioned, education also is one of my passions.  I have been honored to teach public relations at the college level and to mentor talented interns.  And I have been privileged to assist high schools and universities with their communications initiatives.

Throughout these experiences, I have imparted one piece of advice on the many students who have passed through my life. Advice I know has resonated with several. The advice is this: Get connected and stay in touch.

That's it. Get connected and stay in touch. Getting connected means making sure you know who you meet -- first and last name, and how it's spelled. It means getting, and keeping contact information. It means following up, reaching out and contributing to a community that means something to you -- so you will be important to that community. It means joining groups, volunteering, getting out and attending events. And sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone.

I have challenged former students and interns to stay in touch and they have. They connected with me on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and on blogs. I know what they're doing and where they're going. We don't talk every day. But when they need a reference, a recommendation or a lead, it's not at all awkward or unusual for them to turn to me. Likewise, I know where they have ended up, what expertise they've learned and where they excel; if I have a project for which they are a fit, I know exactly who to contact.

Take just a moment and look at the person on your left. Are you connected? Now look at the person on your right. Will you stay in touch? It's the people with whom we have and maintain relationships that help us create a rich, lifelong learning experience. Give a gift to yourself and get connected to them, and to us, and stay in touch.

Posted in Community Assistance, Community Relations, Digital Communications, Public Relations, Where We Stand