Name: Dave Greenan
Major/Graduation Year: Management, 1973
What He is Doing Now: Business Professor at Bryant
HC: What is your fondest memory of attending Bryant?
DG: As an undergrad my fondest memory at Bryant was commencement. It was where the Bryant Center is now, then a parking lot for the 4 dorms on campus. I was the first in my family to graduate college. I was the only boy, and so I had the opportunity to go. My Mom, Dad and sisters all attended, and I remember the pride in my sisters’ eyes. They were very proud of me, my older sisters, my Mom and my Dad. That was a very big day for me and a very emotional day as well. That is by far my fondest memory at Bryant.
HC: Tell us about some of the careers you have had since graduating?
DG: I’ve had 7 careers! I’ll tell you about some of my favorites. I was a Commercial Lending Vice President for banks, where I worked with financial plans, and assisted people when they were buying houses for the first time. I love working with people and it really allowed me to do that.
Another career I had was as a Manufacturing Operations Manager for a costume jewelry company. I again loved it because I was able to work with people. I learned a lot about time management and used the Just in Time production tool.
I was also a Human Resources Manager for a retail store and another bank. I absolutely love working with people; it is one of my passions. Now as a professor at the university that I graduated from, I have found my true calling. This is it. This is the epitome. When they asked me to be a professor here, it was a Christmas vacation moment. A light went off and I just knew this was meant to be.
HC: What is the most vital lesson you’ve learned in life so far?
DG: Embrace change! You have to go with the flow, and take every change as a blessing. Change is necessary, and it will always happen throughout life. Some people fear change, and I have learned not to fear it, butrather tomake it my motivation.
HC: Any advice for students on how to succeed in the business world?
DG:
- Celebrate your victories, and continue to push forward.
- Always have a goal for yourself /something you are striving for.
- Network like crazy! Use the social media tools that have been created for this use! Linked-In, Skype,and Facebook are all such vital networking sources for you guys.
- Volunteer.
- Keep a balance in your life. Work hard but have fun.