Kevin Beatty

--- Marketing, Sales, & Business Development Exec ---

I strongly believe in the practice of service, whether it was my military service or just helping total strangers. At this point in my life experience, I suppose I have entered the developmental stage of generativity, where I want to contribute to the wellbeing of younger generations.
In the past six months, where have you had the pleasure to guest lecture?

Thanks to the SpeakerPost platform, I spoke to first-generation students at California State University Los Angeles about my educational and professional journeys as a first-generation college student. I also spoke to a business class at Southwest Minnesota State University about the relationship between marketing and supply chain. I received great questions and enjoyed interacting with the students and the professors. The experience was very rewarding and I began connecting with students on LinkedIn to offer future assistance.

You are very motivated to give back! What drives you?

I strongly believe in the practice of service, whether it was my military service or just helping total strangers. At this point in my life experience, I suppose I have entered the developmental stage of generativity, where I want to contribute to the wellbeing of younger generations. I believe in the importance of positive role models and I am serving as a mentor for students from my alma maters, Portland State University and West Virginia University. When I learned of SpeakerPost, I thought it would be a great platform to help professors and students. By sharing my experiences on topics that had relevance to their classes, perhaps I could offer lessons and life examples that would resonate with them and in some small way, make a positive contribution.

What advice would you give a first-generation college student entering the 'real world'?

As a first-generation student myself, I can recall all the questions and uncertainties of that experience. My advice is to believe in yourself and avoid listening to people who may discourage you from pursuing your interests. Focus on the soft skills of interpersonal, communication, and listening. Be authentic and trust your gut. Don’t worry about knowing everything because you won’t, nor will a lot of people you encounter. But ask a lot of questions and be curious. Try to find a mentor. I learned a lot from professionals in a variety of disciplines who all offered a valuable lesson about navigating the professional world.

Kevin Beatty Bio:

Kevin is a versatile and creative leader with over 15 years of experience in international marketing, sales, channel management, and business development primarily in the IT industry. His passion for connecting with people has taken him around the globe to build strong relationships with customers and business partners. Kevin enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and traveling to new destinations to learn about local culture, take food tours, and taste local craft beers.

Spotlights
I love talking about my work, life, and perspectives. It's a very engaging and fulfilling experience for me to be able to connect with people openly and honestly on that level.
- Adeet Deshmukh Guest lecturing is rewarding in that it allows me to stay abreast of what the next generation is thinking and what the top academics are concerned about and it allows me to give back and share my wisdom with tomorrows society leaders.
- Rishad Tobaccowalla There is a distance between the world of academia and industry-- giving back to students with a professional's perspective tightens that distance and gives students invaluable direction for their future.
- Jared Nicol The divide between the industry and academia is widening. The next generation of graduates are being armed with knowledge and skills that are irrelevant by the time they graduate. Professionals must collaborate with professors and cultivate classrooms where everyone benefits.
- Richie Etwaru Bringing in communication professionals to guest lecture in my classroom is an excellent way to bring the material home and to further inspire students and to educate them on the various opportunities in our industry.
- Michelle Truelson One of the biggest challenges for college professors is insuring that real-world demands of work and of professions are represented. Most professors have career experience working as teachers and researchers and don’t necessarily have detailed understanding of the needs of other professions. At the same time, we are expected to help prepare the next generation to move into business and professions. Guest lectures can be one solution to this challenge. Industry experts, corporate leaders, and business professionals can help insure that class content is relevant to the world of work.
- Matthew Seeger, Ph.D. Most rewarding experience for me is getting students excited about a career in Consumer Insights, and seeing the value of anthropological thinking to consumer research
- Timothy Malefyt, Ph.D. I am very motivated to share my life and professional experiences with students, so that I can bring some insight into the world of entrepreneurship, which is the most scary, grueling yet rewarding career path there is.
- Gaye Tomlinson Speaking provides an opportunity for me to teach and share information that can change lives.
- Karen I. Wilson, Ph.D. Guest lecturing provides an opportunity to connect with community at-large
- Mugdha Yeolekar, Ph.D. I like talking about PR because it’s something everything thinks they understand - but they really don’t know how it is different from advertising or marketing. I break it down in simple terms and make the tactics and theories very digestible.
- Andrea Holland I have been very fortunate in my life and career. It’s my pleasure to share my experience to help others get their start.
- Don Lupo “I’m on and see both sides of the equation. I ask and I deliver as a presenter. For 46 years and 79 semesters of teaching, I have used as many as 27 outside pros to make a memorable semester of Marketing, business or advertising classes at USC, at CSUN, at LMU and at Pepperdine (Both undergrad and graduate). The speakers help a class standout, be memorable and the students stay interested and focused. The students get much more from an organized, special class with relevant, top-notch speakers, presenters and judges. Always have and always will.”
- Larry Steven Londre I strongly believe in the practice of service, whether it was my military service or just helping total strangers. At this point in my life experience, I suppose I have entered the developmental stage of generativity, where I want to contribute to the wellbeing of younger generations.
- Kevin Beatty I invite guest speakers to show my students people who look like them who have achieved. I want to put them in the room with people who have the potential to shape their careers. I know from my personal experience how a guest speaker can change the way you see yourself and what’s possible for you.
- Ebony Utley, Ph.D.