Angels Baseball Chairman Gives Inspiring Speech at Distinguished Speaker Series

April 1, 2015

Angel Baseball Chairman next to sign

On Thursday, March 19, the Argyros School of Business and Economics hosted its Distinguished Speaker Series and
Career Services
Grand Opening featuring
Chairman of the Los Angeles Angels, Dennis Kuhl
. The room was filled with faculty, staff, business school students, business school alum, and donors. Kuhl’s speech focused on how to achieve success in the business world. The charismatic speaker had some key pieces for the students in the crowd:

It Takes Hard Work: You need to be open and willing to work hard in whatever job or internship you are in. No job is easy and it takes dedication to make it in the competitive business world, especially when competing with the baby boomer generation who have been in the workforce for years.

Set goals: Kuhl sets five-year plans for himself. He encouraged students to do the same. Where do you want to be in five years? Start from there and work your way up. That’s how he got to where he is now.

Be inspired. Look for a career, not just a job. If that means making a career change, go for it; trust your instincts. Kuhl moved from accounting to sales to baseball. Throughout the career changes, he listened to his gut and it paid off.

Give back to your University: Find a way to give back to your University when you graduate. Kuhl created a scholarship in his father’s name at his alma mater, the University of Arizona. Find a way to give back to your school, whether it is monetary or through service. Stay engaged after graduation: Hire Chapman students as your interns and colleagues, come back to speak to classes, and serve as a mentor to business students.

Give back to your community: Whether it is monetary or through service, give back to your community. Kuhl’s most rewarding ventures are the ones where he is helping others. He has served as a Big Brother and seeing his mentee grow up into the man he is today has been life changing for Kuhl.

Communicate: Kuhl said the Angels’ organization does not have a traditional organizational chart; it is a flat organization where everyone is seen as equals. People know each other’s names and they communicate in person instead of via email. Kuhl highlighted the importance in looking a person in the eye and really getting to know them; that’s how an organization stays successful.

Tell a Story: Kuhl stated that what sets certain interns apart from others are the way in which they tell a story. They share their story in interviews, smiling and showing their personality. That is a trait that Kuhl looks for when hiring and promoting individuals in the organization.

Use the University’s Resources: With the brand new Argyros School Career Services Center, Kuhl encourages students to utilize it as much as possible. The business school students are fortunate to have a center and staff solely dedicated to their career success. Be sure to visit it throughout your time here at Chapman and even after you graduate.

Have fun: Have fun at your job. Laugh at situations. Keep a smile on your face and a sense of humor throughout your work.

Kuhl’s words of wisdom were inspiring and demonstrated to students what is needed to make it in the business world.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the event. Be sure to keep up-to-date on all Argyros School events via the Argyros School Weekly email. And don’t forget to make an appointment at the new Argyros School Career Center-Beckman Hall 305.