Three alumni from Eastern Connecticut State University were inducted into the Eastern Fellows Program this September. In addition to joining the ranks of the university’s distinguished alumni, James Girard ’97, Anne Iezzi ’79 and Andrew Mitchel ’89 returned to campus to meet with students and share career advice.

Girard, a business administration major, is the vice president of human resources at Harris Corporation, a global technology company with approximately 17,000 employees. Iezzi, a sociology major, is the vice president and chief compliance officer for the Retirement Services Division at Voya Financial, a Fortune 500 company . Mitchel, an economics major, is an international tax attorney whose expertise has been sought after by The Wall Street Journal and New York Times.

During a panel discussion with students, the alumni spoke of their experiences as Eastern students and insights in the business world. On the topic of lifelong learning, Girard said, “If you are to be successful, you need to continually learn. Having this mindset gives you an edge in the workplace, as the techniques and tactics of your industry will continue to change.” Iezzi followed with, “When you’re in the workplace, you may stop getting tested, but you should never stop being curious. Learning doesn’t stop after graduation.”

Speaking to the role of luck in career success, Girard said, “I don’t believe in luck. Luck is the intersection of preparation and opportunity. The key is hard work.” Iezzi reflected on her previous job at The Hartford, where she held several roles, eventually becoming a vice president in the Wealth Management Division. “Over the course of my 28 years with The Hartford, I never applied for a job. They came to me.”

The talk was ripe with career advice for students and seasoned professionals alike. “Take the job that nobody wants,” said Girard. “Some jobs are sexy, some aren’t, but those may be more important.” Emphasizing the importance of good writing and paying attention to the basics, he said: “Check your emails before you send them,” adding that it’s embarrassing how often poorly written emails make their way to upper management.

On the topic of leadership, Girard said, “At a certain point in your career, you can’t get the job done on your own, no matter how skilled you are. It takes a team. That comes down to leadership, and leadership is about emotional intelligence (EQ), not just IQ.”

Finally, on the topic of interviewing, the three alumni encouraged the students to research the company and review the LinkedIn profile of the interviewer beforehand. “Show them that you’re prepared and curious. Come ready with a question.”

The Eastern Fellows Program was established in the 2008-09 academic year to recognize and engage distinguished alumni in the life of the campus community. Twenty-six alumni of all majors and fields have been inducted into the program. For more information as well as a listing of Eastern fellows, visit www.easternct.edu/alumni/fellows.