Alum shares college and post-grad insight in book, "Life After College"
Melissa McCrary
Issue date: 10/24/05 Section: Features
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With ample college education experience and a background in various subjects, Masters has been speaking to college students across the United States about strategic career planning and he has published a book entitled "Life After College."
"I began speaking at colleges and universities in 2001, on the side. Last month I went to Mizzou and spoke to over 12,000 students. I have also visited Cincinnati, Las Vegas and Atlanta," Masters said. "I would love to visit and speak at UMSL in the future."
Masters has been a featured speaker in the "Student Success Initiative" series, sponsored by the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities.
His program highlights the basics of setting and establishing career goals and describes how students can get the most of college. He also targets Greek audiences by talking about balancing responsibilities with academics, while maintaining campus involvement.
Allyson Wilson, student services coordinator for the Office of Student Life, is one of the people who has seen Master's presentation over the last year.
"I think that he has a good message and does a great job with encouraging students on what to do after college," Wilson said. "Some of it is common sense. It's all about the choices students make and how they present themselves professionally and non-professionally."
Masters has received a bachelor's degree in communication and Political Science from UM-St. Louis in 1994, a master's degree in human resources and development from Webster University in 1997 and a master's in marketing from Webster University as well, in 2000.
During his time at UM-St. Louis, he served as president of the Student Government Association and was also honored as "Greek Man of the Year" as a part of the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. At Webster University, he received an honorable award as the "Distinguished Graduate."
Masters believes that college had a tremendous impact on his life and that he gained many of his social and leadership skills from his experience as a student.
"I'm a big believer in the saying, 'You get out of it only what you put into it'," he said.
Having a love for writing is the main reason he decided to publish a book.
He said that he wanted to write a book that related to important college topics because he felt this would provide more benefits to current students.
"My business background is in training and consulting for sales and management, but frankly there are already 10 million books on these topics," he said.
"I wanted to write something completely different and something that I have had a passion for. Every college bookstore has dozens of books on "How to Write a Resume" and "How to Get a Job," but there is much more to it than that."
Masters' book is a transition book designed for juniors and seniors preparing for the real world.
"Life After College" was published on April 15, 2005 and copies are currently being sold on www.amazon.com and at Borders Bookstore. Books, along with copies of DVD demos of his presentation and information about his products, can also be viewed and purchased at www.life-after-college.com.
Masters said that there are numerous messages he tries to convey to his readers and listeners.
"There are so many important things that can help them get ahead, such as networking, time management, strategic career planning, etc. ... but probably the most important things that I tell them are what to avoid because what they don't know can hurt them," he said.
"In my programs, I discuss office politics, professionalism, ethics, drugs and alcohol in the workplace, and even the dangers of dating in the office and sexual harassment. It's imperative that young professionals understand what the rules of the game are, and abide by those rules, so they don't ruin their career before it even begins."
Another piece of advice that Masters has given is "to think outside the box and consider non-traditional occupations."
He said that the best part about what he has done has been the individual people who have approached and complimented him after seeing his program.
"I love receiving feedback and when people have told me how my program has benefited their life."
To Masters, anything is possible, and getting a once-in-a-lifetime job only requires students to work hard and to be knowledgeable during their career pursuits.
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