With John Kratz’s 30-plus years of experience in the technology sector and with varied entrepreneurial ventures, he was the ideal person to serve as the School of Business, Computer Science and Information Technology’s Executive in Residence this week.
The retired president and CEO of ICC Technologies, John, a ’63 alumnus and Board of Trustees member, has unique and valuable insights to share with students about to embark on their careers.
His best piece of advice: “You need to take charge of your career from the time you enter college and all throughout your life, really.”
He encouraged students, especially freshmen, to get serious about developing their personal brand and ideas about how to shape their personal and professional life.
I got a solid, well-rounded liberal arts education at Heidelberg that I was able to apply to lots of different things throughout my career.
As students think about their plan, the need to also be prepared for their plan to be disrupted. Those disruptions could come in the form of opportunities or challenges. “It’s important to always keep your eyes and ears open to see where you might be able to capitalize (on opportunities),” he said.
During his three days as Executive in Residence, John visited management, economics, computer science and general business classes and shared his career journey with anecdotes and advise that might relate to students’ future experiences. He also met individually with students, primarily junior and senior business majors, with Heidelberg administrators, faculty and local economic development professionals.
He believes ‘Berg students will be well-positioned for success, based on broadened course offerings, a larger, more diverse and more engaged faculty, and the many initiatives the School of Business is doing well.
“We have a very engaged faculty that takes a genuine interest in students on an individual basis,” he said, adding that student support services are making a positive impact on student success. “This is definitely an environment where an individual can be nurtured and supported, and most young people today need some of that.” Additionally, extra-curricular opportunities offered at Heidelberg enrich the student experience and help to attract and retain students.
In retirement, John is active with the Ohio Tech Angels Fund and serves as an advisor and director for several small start-ups in Ohio.