Students roughed the snowy weather conditions on Wednesday night to see the runner-up of NBC's reality TV show "The Apprentice" speak in the University Club about his time on the show and his advice on succeeding in life.
"I feel presidential tonight," said Kwame Jackson, who was one person away from working for Donald Trump in the first season of the show. In his speech, Jackson talked about his pathway from earning his Harvard MBA to landing on a reality show.
Jackson gave the audience a crash course in his recipe for success, entitled "Lessons From the Boardroom."
"Have no fear, be accountable, and never forget the team," Jackson said. "But most importantly, take calculated risks."
Contrary to what may seem to be a big disappointment, Jackson sees his loss of working for Donald Trump as an opportunity to step off of the corporate ladder to become an entrepreneur. "The Apprentice" is a floor, not a ceiling, said Jackson about his future professional goals.
Jackson is now test marketing a men's executive clothing line called Krimson at a retail store in New York. The name of the clothing line is a tribute to his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. Jackson is also a partner in Legacy Holdings LLC, a company he started with two of his fraternity brothers.
Students and staff alike were impressed with Jackson's speech.
"I thought it was very motivational," said Kristen Hamaoui, a freshman in the School of International Service.
Others agreed.
"Three words to describe it: informative, enlightening and real," said Raven Radley, a sophomore in the School of Communication.
Others pinpointed specific parts of his presentation as most worthwhile.
"The most important thing I think students should take from Jackson's speech is the importance of taking calculated risks and thinking about how these risks will affect the people around you," said Centennial Resident Director Kim Washington. "For each person it's different"
