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Poland grads hear: Work hard, hang tough
By jeanne starmack
POLAND
As 196 seniors got ready to graduate from Poland Seminary High School on Sunday afternoon, some practical advice was about to come their way from someone who knows his way around the work world pretty well.
Eric Spiegel, president and CEO of Siemens USA, served as their commencement speaker.
Siemens USA, a subsidiary of German corporation Siemens AG, pulled in revenue of $22.2 billion in 2014 and employs 46,000 people in the United States and Puerto Rico, according to its website.
Siemens AG is a globally operating technology corporation with core activities in energy, industry, health care and infrastructure. It has 343,000 employees worldwide, and it brought in $98 billion in revenue last year.
What’s the best way to get to where you want to go, Spiegel asked?
“Work hard. Be responsible. Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges,” he advised.
Long before Spiegel went to work for such an impressively huge corporation to head its U.S. subsidiary, he could be found right there at Poland Seminary where he lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field before graduating in 1976.
He learned his first important lesson in responsibility at Poland Schools.
“I was a crossing guard in the sixth grade,” he said. “I showed up late one day.”
After a disgruntled principal had to fill in as crossing guard, he was called to his office.
There were some harsh words, and he was suspended from his job.
The lesson – “Show up on time and be responsible,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever shirked since.”
Spiegel told the Class of 2015 they will have to work hard for what they get.
“Take on some new challenges,” he said. “I was always taking on new and expanding roles in new locations. Do that, not because of it being a better place to live, but because it will open doors you don’t see.”
He said that even those who aren’t planning to attend a four-year college can still make a good living with careers such as welding.
He advised those going to college to take software classes.
“We have a digital revolution,” he said. “Digital technology is going to change your world.”
He also advised the graduates to be tough. “You’re gonna get knocked down,” he said. “I’m proud I’m from Poland. This community has a reputation for making it through the toughest times.”
“Learning to pick yourself back up is the greatest asset in your career,” he said.
“This school, this town are very special places. Be proud to call yourself Poland graduates.”
Some of those proud Poland graduates shared their plans for after graduation.
Bailey Simon is going to Bowling Green State University, where he’ll pursue a business degree. He’s not sure what he wants to do with it yet.
“But it’s a very versatile degree,” he said.
Danielle Fisher is going to Youngstown State University for voice education. She wants to be a singer.
“I like to sing. A lot,” she said, adding that she made the honors choir this year.
Carter Flaherty has enlisted in the Navy. “It’s a family thing,” he explained. He leaves July 22 for boot camp in Great Lakes, Ill.
Victoria Hanger is going to Kent State University for nursing. “I want to help people,” she said, especially kids. She’s planning on specializing in pediatrics, and may go into another program to become a physician’s assistant.