Black Collegian Career Center

THE BLACK COLLEGIAN has asked top executives and professionals for their insight into what it takes to reach and succeed in various posts of the nation's most prestigious businesses and career arenas. In this issue, we've chosen to spotlight two high achievers in communications and human resources careers.  We hope that these interviews provide you with inspiring insight into the "whole person" as we focus on their perspectives on a variety of areas.

Spotlight on Communications: Edye Ellis

As the host of The Good Life, a popular show on HGTV, one of today's fastest-growing networks with more than 63 million U.S. households and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Edye Ellis comes in contact with individuals from all walks of life.  The show profiles individuals who have changed careers or left corporate America to pursue their passions in search of the "good life."  She also hosts Today at Home, one of the most popular how-to series on HGTV.  Viewers learn about a wide range of topics, including decorating, home repairs, gardening, crafts, food, entertainment, pets, and more.

Despite her demanding schedule, Ellis carved out time to speak with THE BLACK COLLEGIAN about how she landed her current assignment at HGTV and to offer tips for collegians entering the work world.

Q. What prompted you to go into a career in communications and how did you break into the field?

A. My first career was in early childhood education. I got into television by accident and stayed on purpose.  Someone I had met socially was working for PM magazine at WKRC in Cincinnati and insisted on introducing me to the producers, Oscar and Mindy Welch.  We liked each other immediately.  I went to work for them as production secretary and moved fairly quickly from that to production coordinator, then to coordinating producer and finally to co-host and executive producer.  I paid attention along the way to all who were willing to teach me anything about the field.  My communications skills also provided crucial training.

Q. How did you join HGTV?  How would you describe your function as a HGTV host?

A. I do freelance work for HGTV.  It began when a local production company hired me to host a new show, The Good Life, it was doing for HGTV.  I host that show, Today at Home and various specials.

Q. How are the two shows different and what are some of the challenges?

A. The two shows are very different.  One is a lifestyle show; the other is a magazine show.  Each Good Life episode takes two days to shoot and involves a lot of travel.  Today at Home is produced in a studio in Nashville and we do 70-75 half-hour shows in three weeks, five or six shows a day, three segments, and a different guest for each segment.  Yes, it's hectic!

Q.  Of all The Good Life interviews, who made the biggest impression on you in terms of dramatic life or career changes?

A. Ed Dwight, the first African-American astronaut in training who became a world-renowned sculptor; a priest and nun who gave up their respective orders, married, had a daughter and run a vineyard in Northern Michigan; and two brothers who grew up in Harlem, went off to Ivy League schools, had successful careers, then returned to Harlem to open a middle school.

Q. What are the things you like about your work?

A. Flexibility; the people with whom I work and those I interview.

Q. What are some roadblocks or obstacles you've faced in your career?  How did you challenge yourself to overcome them and win?

A. Fear of doing live television.  I trained myself to see the viewers through the camera and know I was speaking to them.  Did I win entirely?  No, but I did become more comfortable.

Q. What skills have you specifically used to achieve promotions and find new job opportunities?

A. Communications, problem-solving, interpersonal relationship skills; often just plain luck.

Q. What has your career afforded you to do that had you chosen a different one, your life/experiences would have been much different?

A. I think any career before the camera gives a distorted sense of importance and prestige.  You have to keep it in perspective.  Yes, it can be a valuable service, but more valuable than being a teacher, a doctor, a maintenance engineer?  No, I don't think so.

Q. People talk about passion, commitment and drive.  To what do you attribute your career success?

A. I attribute any success I have had in my career to the support of hard-working parents who sacrificed a lot to send me to college.  In fact, it was a whole community of support: other relatives, neighbors, and teachers who encouraged me.  I also was fortunate enough to take advantage of it.

Q.  If your vision had been 20/20 throughout your career, what would you have done differently?

A. Taken a few more risks.

Q.  What things do you feel go into living a fulfilled life?

A. Integrity and honesty in whatever I do; the love and support of dear ones; living a life based on acceptance, not judgment; recognizing the dignity and worth of every person.  Being part of the solution to undoing racism.  Sharing whatever resources I have with others.

Q. What two or three tips do you have for collegians in today's work world?

A. Pay attention to everything; make sure your reading, writing and other communication skills are strong; continue to fine tune your skills; be passionate about what you want to do.  If it's TV, take and respect an entry-level position or an internship, if that's the only way you can get in the door.  Once there, learn everything you can from everyone you can without being intrusive, and make yourself memorable in a very positive way.

Spotlight on Human Resources: Coleman H. Peterson

At Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Coleman ("Cole") H. Peterson, has risen to the top of his field. Peterson is the world’s number one Human Resource head based on number of employees.  In 1994, he joined Wal-Mart, the world's number one retailer, which employs more than 1.2 million employees worldwide.

With a staff of five direct reports, Peterson works for the largest employer of African Americans and Hispanics in the U.S.  Based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Wal-Mart is one of the fastest growing companies in the world, both in terms of sales and the creation of jobs.  The company’s three major operating divisions include 1) Wal-Mart Stores and Supercenters (combined general merchandise/grocery stores); 2) Sam’s Club (membership wholesale clubs); and 3) Wal-Mart International which operates retail operations in the countries of Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil, China, Korea, United Kingdom and Germany. He is one of 14 senior executives responsible for the strategic direction of Wal-Mart, in addition to key human resources and labor relations activities for the following functional areas: training, communication and development, compensation, recruiting, associate relations and human resources analysis, for the $167 billion retailer. Although Peterson's schedule keeps him pretty busy, he spoke to THE BLACK COLLEGIAN about how he received his current position, what he does at Wal-Mart, what makes him tick, and he offers career tips for collegians.

Q. What prompted you to go into human resources?  What specific steps did you take to break into the HR field?

A.  I discovered during college (and soon after) that I enjoyed getting things done through people.  I was greatly interested in the concept of motivation and how people responded to different leadership styles. I subsequently acquired a master's degree in the human resource area.

Q. How would you describe your key function at Wal-Mart?

A. "To ensure that Wal-Mart has the talent necessary to achieve our strategic objectives."  This involves the implementation of strategies to get the best talent, keep the best talent, and grow talent as the company grows.

Q. What are the things you like about your work?

A. Seeing how taking care of people can translate to the "bottom line" in a business.

Q. What kind of manager would you describe yourself to be?

 A. Strategic, supportive and impatient.

 Q. The role of Human Resources in corporate strategy has changed dramatically over the past years.  HR is now often described as directing "people strategy."  What does that mean to you?

A. "People Strategy" simply means those long-term plans of an organization that have to do with supplying a capable, prepared workforce to perform needed jobs and responsibilities.  That is my role at Wal-Mart.

Q. What has been the biggest roadblock or obstacle you have faced in your career? 

A. Supervisors who were not always as helpful as they could have been in helping me understand the job.  I had to work harder, learn from sources other than my boss and not get discouraged.

Q. What skills have you specifically used to achieve promotions and find new job opportunities?

A. There are four things: preparation, listening, critical thinking (logical reasoning) and caring about others.

Q.    People talk about passion, commitment and drive.  To what do you attribute your career success?

A. Persistence, hard work, enjoying my work and surrounding myself with talented positive people.

Q. Do you have some mental or emotional "touchstone" that has kept you strong and steady over the course of your life and career?  If so, what is it?

A. What is most important is to have a "sense of self."  Know yourself and be proud and comfortable with who you are.

Q. What are the values you adhere to as an adult?

A. Respect others and give back some of what I have been fortunate enough to acquire.

Q. What important things have you learned that living a fulfilled life includes?

A.  Family, friends and God.

Q.  What advice do you have for collegians in today's world of work?

A.  It’s okay not to have all the answers upon graduation. Pick something {as a job or career} that responds to your "natural rivers."  That is, something that you like and with which you can have fun.  Once you pick something, stay with it for at least three years.  Give things time to show payback or return on your initial investment.