Hanz Unurh, a doctoral student in systems engineering, owns a thriving real estate appraisal company in his native Honduras.
He runs the business remotely, thanks to a competent team he communicates with via phone and email.
The 36-year-old says that although the enterprise is prospering, he isn鈥檛 satisfied. He envisions opening a second company 鈥 or parlaying his doctoral degree into a high-paying job in industry 鈥 while continuing to run his real estate business.
That鈥檚 why he鈥檚 a member of the College of Engineering鈥檚 Designing Leaders Program. The eight-week lecture series is held in Madison Hall during the spring semester for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing an engineering or industrial technology degree.
About 40 students participated during the Spring 2019 semester. They are chosen by a panel of faculty members. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good opportunity to get what you can鈥檛 get in the classroom,鈥 Unurh said.
The program is intended to fan innate leadership qualities. It is also in place to help students figure out their leadership styles.
They receive guidance from CEOs, business owners, public officials, academics, entrepreneurs and other leaders who talk about their leadership styles and keys to success.
Students get a range of pointers, including what to expect when entering the workforce, how to draft a business plan, the importance of ethics in the workplace, and tips for public speaking.
Unurh said advice from proven leaders provides inspiration and insight that helps him envision ways he might flourish in his own career.
鈥淭his program gives you an opportunity to hear from people who have already done things you are interested in and who have been very successful at it,鈥 he explained.
Take Eric Knezek, a recent Designing Leaders panelist. He told students resiliency in the face of setbacks and a willingness to take risks are crucial traits for success.
He speaks from experience.
Faltering eyesight in his mid-20s grounded the former U.S. Navy lieutenant鈥檚 plan to become a fighter pilot and astronaut.
Knezek, who earned bachelor鈥檚 degree and a master鈥檚 degree in oceans engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, was ultimately offered a teaching position at the academy.
鈥淚t would have been a great opportunity, a very secure job,鈥 he told students.
But Knezek, now 44, decided against the safe route. He wanted more control over how quickly and how high he could rise.
Knezek is founder and managing partner of Truston Technologies Inc. The company, based in Annapolis, provides engineering and advanced material fabrication services. It also offers general and specialty marine construction services to government and industry.
鈥淭he fact that I had this goal to be an astronaut got me to Annapolis. Then I set a different goal 鈥 owning a company.鈥
Dr. Mark Zappi, a chemical engineering professor, started the Designing Leaders Program in 2012 to provide participants 鈥渢ools that will help them be more complete employees.鈥
鈥淓verybody has the potential to be a leader, and everybody will lead differently. No single style is right. It鈥檚 what鈥檚 right for you,鈥 Zappi explained.
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Photo: Hanz Unurh, a doctoral student in systems engineering at the University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette, is a member of the College of Engineering鈥檚 Designing Leaders Program. The program is intended to help students develop leadership skills and learn about what to expect upon entering the workforce. Doug Dugas / University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette