LER graduates were treated to wonderful observations and encouragement on their careers on Saturday, May 14. Alumna graduation speaker, Francine Parham, AM 91 was a motivational guest who gave great personal examples about how to recover from failures along the road of life.
Francine's engaging message to students focused on the roller coaster of life, and how failures and tries are intimately tied to successes. She relayed her own story of being fired from her first job post-graduation from Purdue University, which drove her to apply to the then-Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations, at Illinois. She entered the program as a young, single mother with a three-year-old, and "never looked back." Her great education led to multiple job offers and a successful career.
Upon graduation from School, Francine began working at General Mills. She later had VP roles with GE and Johnson & Johnson, and now is a speaker, entrepreneur and author. She recently co-authored her first published book in the series, “The Ultimate Career Pocket Guide.” Her book is for professionals looking to advance their careers, offering advice on professional behaviors and skills needed to reach career goals.
"I firmly believe," Parham says, "If I had not failed, I would have not tried, and I never would have succeeded. Along with success comes failure."
We thank Francine for her time and wisdom, and celebrate her success, the success of the Class of May 2016, and the success of all our alumni.
