Executive offers students job advice

By Faith Jaschke

Texas State University graduate Mary Rose Brown spoke to students Tuesday at Centennial Hall about personal branding and gave students advice for different stages of their career.

Brown is currently the executive vice president of administration at NuStar Energy LP, which according to its website is one of the largest asphalt refiners and marketers in the U.S. and the second largest independent liquids terminal operator in the nation.

Brown opened her lecture to students by telling them she had not been back to campus since graduating in 1979 when it was still named Southwest Texas State University.

Brown focused her lecture on advice for job-hunting students and graduates. She explained that people are often shocked at what jobs she has had and tasks she’s accomplished with only a bachelor’s degree. She moved onto giving students some key points to remember when out there on the job market. The first one she said with a smirk: Do your homework. Brown explained how important it is for job candidates to research the company they are applying for. Brown then shared some common tips: be persistent but not a pest, don’t worry about money it will follow, don’t be afraid to offer yourself for work tasks and proof read everything you submit.

“Nothing says ‘I love you’ like flowers well nothing says ‘I don’t give a shit about my job’ like typos,” Brown said.

Students, as well as Brown, erupted in laughter. Majority of her talk was light but honest and focused on some truths that would help move students in the direction they want to go.

“When you’re passionate about what you’re doing you’re going to do well,” Brown said.

Brown talked about what she specifically does at NuStar Energy and how she tells people specifically it does not have a “PR” person. Brown explains it that there is human resources to take care of the employees and community outreach to take care of the community. She wants people to know that her job is not to “spin” news for anyone. She explained how important it is to be honest and ethical in all of your work.

Brown’s advice seemed to reach the students in a way they understood.

“So much great advice from Mary Rose Brown today! Great opportunity,” Kate Dudley, a mass communications graduate student, said.