ISU Students: What’s the Secret to Your Success?

I have taught and mentored students and done research at Iowa State University for 40 years, shaping the lives of thousands of students.

Let me share some ideas on how I’ve helped many become successful.

First, eat up every class as if it is going to be your last meal. Never, ever say to yourself “this class is not in my major, but I have to take it, so I’ll just blow it off.” You never know when a class and a professor might give you an idea that sends you off in a whole new direction. Most of my most successful students took one or more of my classes as electives. I find out years later that I made a difference.

Second, be friendly and get to know your professors. Pick their brains not just on academic stuff, but also on lessons for life. They are a lifelong connection.

I have written thousands of letters of recommendation and given references on the phone. The FBI often visits me if a former student is applying for a job that requires a security check. It helps a lot if I can say, “Yes, I remember her very well and she was smart, honest and highly motivated.” I just wrote eight letters for a student who graduated 12 years ago.

Third, go the extra mile and get involved in student activities, in GSB, in your department club. Do internships and volunteer to help those less fortunate than you. Study in another country and learn to appreciate other cultures.

What are some of my former students doing today?

1. Steve is a top investment and financial wizard in New York. He sends me terse Blackberry messages from Moscow, Hong Kong, Beijing, Rio, Paris; you get the idea.

2. Elizabeth is an international media executive. She is in charge of worldwide reorganization and acquisitions of new firms.

3. Bruce and Dave are members of the U.S. Congress. One went on from Iowa State to first become a successful lawyer, and the other taught government at a college.

4. Gentry is the number two guy in the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C.

5. David is a very successful chiropractor.

6. Rick is manager of one of the largest Hy-Vee stores in Iowa. He says political science was a great liberal arts experience.

7. Mike was the director of one of the largest disaster relief organizations, top executive of a major consulting firm, and is now a right hand guy to Newt Gingrich.

8. Gary is the deputy director of UNICEF (United Nations), which manages policies and programs for children’s education, health and nutrition all over the world.

9. Allison is a medical student at Harvard who is specializing in public health. She expects to become a leader in finding solutions to some of the world’s pressing health challenges. She was the founder of the Student International Medical Aid Club.

10. Tanya is project manager for a defense contractor developing a new generation of armored vehicle, which will have “exceptional firepower and blast resistance.”

11. Evelio is a Major in the U.S. Air Force who served on General Tommy Frank’s staff and did duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is The Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Chief of the Sovereign Nation Engagement Plan.

12. Kent majored in biology and political science. He became one of the youngest diplomats in the State Department. He’s now a top executive in one of the largest banks in the world.

13. Jason and Lynette have had some of the coolest information security jobs in government and now with the private sector.

14. Victor worked for a Florida senator and is now a staffer on a U.S. Senate committee.

These are only some of my former students.

As we reorganize Iowa State University, we need to be very careful and remember that caring, smart, exciting mentoring and well-connected permanent professors — not temporaries — are the backbone of the university. They are the genuine “success centers” for Iowa students.

Without them, there is no university.

Steffen Schmidt is a professor of political science and chief political correspondent for www.insideriowa.com.