Chicago Tribune executive shares his top 10 tips for success in graduates' first 5 years out

By Amy Bogue
Religious Studies junior

Jay Fehnel, vice president of business development at Tribune Media Services

Department alumnus Jay Fehnel told a packed audience at a Krannert Executive Forum this semester that communication skills are essential to success in the business world.

Fehnel, the vice president of business development for Tribune Media Services, shared with the audience his top 10 tips for success in the first five years after graduation.

Fehnel graduated from Purdue in 1984 with a double major in journalism and telecommunication.

"Be nice to your friends in Liberal Arts, because you might be working for them some day," he said.

While attending Purdue, he worked as a copy editor and reporter at The Exponent newspaper and at the university's WBAA radio station.

Fehnel said the communication skills he acquired at Purdue have been essential in his job at the Tribune. Fehnel manages the Tribune Co.'s strategic planning activities and pursues growth opportunities through internal start-ups, acquisitions and partnerships.

"Learn to write," he told a mixed audience of management and Liberal Arts students. "It is a skill that will serve you well."

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Jay Fehnel bio

Tribune Media Services

Krannert Executive Forum

Fehnel reminded the audience that their careers are like marathons; the first five years of a career are basically the first few miles of a very long race. He encouraged them to create options early by volunteering for a variety of tasks to get as much experience in as many areas as possible.

Chelsea Smith, a consumer and family sciences major, said she considered creating options to be the most important tip she received from Fehnel. “Options, because in the media industry there are many avenues to go down,” said Smith.

Fehnel was asked to speak at Purdue by Tim Newton, the director of external relations and communications for the Krannert School of Management. Begun in 1973, the Krannert Executive Forum is an upper-division management class that invites top-level corporate executives to campus to share their experiences with students.