The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has urged final-year students at the School of Social Sciences of the University of Ghana, Legon, to develop the right attitude to succeed in the world of work.
He made this statement as he delivered the keynote address on the topic: “Preparing for the World of Work: Entrepreneurship Opportunities” at the Student-Industry Meeting (SIM) Day held at the Cedi Conference Center, University of Ghana.
Speaking to over a 1000 students, Blewett shared essential keys to career success and emphasized the importance of character and attitude. He stated, “We live in a digital world that connects all of us. Therefore, we need to build a strong network. One thing I have learnt is that although aptitude is important, attitude determines your altitude. Your knowledge and skills are essential, but your attitude determines how far you go. As young people, you need to develop the right attitude now as you prepare to graduate and start your career. In my career as a CEO, certain keys have helped me succeed in my role. These include growth, humility, learning from failure, agility, integrity, and passion.”
Blewett continued, “As young people in a world that continues to evolve, you must constantly learn. Do not be afraid to fail but ensure that you learn from your mistakes. Be agile and dare to do things differently by thinking outside the box. Integrity is very important because, in business, we interact with people, not positions. Allow your passion to drive you. A person who is passionate about what they do is likely to be more successful than a person who is only motivated by money.”
Blewett encouraged the students to embrace authenticity and maximize their full potential. He said, “At MTN, we understand the importance of creating an inclusive and diverse working environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow. As young people preparing to start your career, I encourage you to embrace authenticity. You all have the potential in you to do great things. When I meet young people, I encourage them to introduce themselves as who they want to be. The decision of whether you will succeed is yours and yours alone. Take the potential that is in you and be all that you can be.”
Other speakers at the event included Dr. Daniel McKorley, CEO of McDan Group of Companies; Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency; Dr. Gibrine Adam, Founder and CEO of EPP Group of Companies/Zenith University College; and Nixon Amoah-Awuah, Regional Head of HR at Ecobank Ghana PLC.
The speakers emphasized the importance of students seizing their opportunities to achieve relevance in their respective fields.