Panelists Give Advice to Students Heading Into Business World

Photo by Shaterica Sherman, senior communication

Students from the School of Business met with panelists for a quick photo after the Christians in the Marketplace panel discussion. Pictured from left are Kingston Govati, senior; Byron Sherman; Elizabeth Drews; Marty Naugle, senior; Dean Parker; and Veronique Payne, MBA student.

“Show me the money!” This famous line from the movie Jerry McGuire seems to be a dominant theme in the business world today as more and more companies are getting caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

“Show me the money” was not the focus of the Fourth Annual Christians in the Marketplace panel discussion. Instead panelists focused on advising students to maintain their Christian principles and ethics in the workplace. The panel featured local business owners and their take on being a Christian in today’s business world.

Christians in the Market place is a panel discussion that takes place every year hosted by the Accounting Students Organization.

The panel this year featured Dean Parker, chief executive officer of Callis Communications; Elizabeth Drews, broker and owner of Naborhood Realty & Development, Inc.; and Byron Sherman, certified public accountant of Hall, Sherman, and Callahan, P.C.

Parker said students should take three things with them into the work force. The first was to treat people the same, because you will see the same people going up as you will coming down.

The second point he stressed was for students to simply think. From his view, the No. 1 challenge of employees fresh out of college is to think critically. “The best assets you have are your integrity, your ethics, and your mind,” said Parker

Finally, he encouraged students to bring solutions to the table, not problems.

Parker also warned students, “Don’t ever compromise for what you perceive as success.”

Elizabeth Drews focused on letting students know how central her faith was in her success.

Drews said she was thankful for this opportunity to speak to the students because it caused her stop and reflect on her faith and how it has played a part in her business.

“I realized how completely dependent I am on God, considering the risk involved with my business,” said Drews.

Drews told students that in her business decisions she realizes that she needs more that her own wisdom; she needs the wisdom that comes from God, which he gives freely when she asks. She also told students that it is her faith and the personal time she spends with God that gives her the ability to be patient, kind, and loving to the people she comes in contact with, even the difficult ones.

Byron Sherman started with jokes and expressing the sentiment that if you love your job, it will never seem like work, so find one you love.

“Who knows the famous line from Jerry McGuire?” asked Sherman. All the students replied simultaneously, “Show me the money!”

Sherman spoke about how some managers of big companies, like Enron, have said exactly that, show me the money, and at any cost.

According to Sherman, without Christian values and biblical principles to base decisions on, some people make their decisions on expected value theory or risk vs. reward. He said they focus on the risks of getting caught and what can they stash away, even if they are caught.

“Let’s base our decisions in the workplace on Christian principles, and hopefully that’s something you’ve picked up during your time at the University of Mobile,” Sherman advised students.

Sherman also shared what he called his “life verses” with students, expressing that these were two verses to know, not just, in business, but in life. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”

All three panelists emphasized the role of their personal faith in their business practices. Through faith, along with Christian principles and values, they are able to practice business, not only successfully, but also with integrity.

In the business world students will have to choose whether to go down the path of “Show me the money!” or to set a new standard that is based on the principles that they as Christians know to be true, according to the panelists. The speakers’ messages to the audience converged on one critical point; the foundation they have, built on their faith in God, has enabled them to be successful, effective Christians in the marketplace.

By Shaterica Sherman, senior, communication