It's graduation season, and a few weeks ago, I went to North Carolina to speak at Wake Forest University's commencement. The world is in deep economic turmoil and jobs are hard to find, but I focused my speech on the importance of never giving up and always maintaining an optimistic outlook. While things might look bleak right now, I think it's important to keep your eyes open to the opportunities that will eventually open up to you.
One of the examples I gave them was my father's struggle to earn a college education. When he returned to Utah from completing his Mormon mission in 1921, he only had a 6th grade education and his parents didn't have any money to pay for his schooling. But, a local English professor, Aaron Tracy, knew my dad and thought he had great potential so he admitted him into Weber Academy, a local community college in Ogden, Utah. He also helped my father get odd jobs to pay for his tuition. My father went on to graduate and then graduated from the University of Utah and founded what is now Marriott International.
If he had not taken advantage of the opportunity provided to him by Aaron Tracy, he never would have had the education, skills or self-confidence necessary to leave Utah and start his own company. Life had dealt him a tough hand, but he took advantage of the opportunities he was presented with, worked hard and never gave up.
It's so important for today's graduates to keep examples like my father's story in mind as they enter the real world during these challenging times. And the same message transcends beyond the class of 2009 to all of us who are affected by the current economic downturn. There is light at the end of the tunnel and many opportunities for success to those who are prepared and determined to take advantage of them.
I'm Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.
My Message to the Class of 2009
Thank you for your words of encouragement for the class of 2009
Posted by: Nike Kobe IV | 06/10/2009 at 03:55 AM
As an educator and career coach, I found that your message was on target and timely. Whether the economy is booming or bust, it is important for graduates and employees to understand that their GPA and degree, while important, are simply an entry to compete. Demonstrating initiative, measuring value, maintaining a passion for learning, and having an entrepreneur work ethic are the competencies that will help graduates find and job and be employable.
Posted by: Dr. Faye Sutton | 06/09/2009 at 08:11 AM
Dear Mr Marriott,one day in Boston,your father was going home after surgery and a hospital stay but he had a little time before his flight,so he toured a kitchen.He found a product that intrested him,asked to see it uncooked,wanted to know about the seasonings used and then asked for the recipe card.I believe your father was honned by the tough times and he just loved food.He also loved who he was and what he did.I hope they teach that at Wake Forest.
Posted by: Len Snyder | 06/09/2009 at 03:42 AM
I chanced upon to view your blog and found it very interesting. Great ... Keep it up!
Posted by: Allen | 06/08/2009 at 09:36 PM
Mr Marriott,
As a former employee of Marriott, I observed many times the Marriott spirit. I worked as an assistant manager in the Fairfield Inn at the Essex House. Your father was a well-know early riser...but never did I think he would come into our kitchen for an early morning tour. It was obvious to him that I was new with the company(I had just finished my training in the basement of a Hot Shoppe on Wisconsin Ave in Washingtom D.C.). He took me aside and spent almost an hour with me; doing everything from advising me on how to better dress for work, how to gain the self confidence to effectively manage...basically how to think and live the Marriott wat. I will never forget that time with him...it meant a great deal to me then and even more so as the years have gone on and I started and made a success of my own business.
Thanks for the opportunity so many years ago, I would do it all over again
Joe Lohman
Posted by: Joe Lohman | 06/08/2009 at 10:26 AM
Bill, your words of encouragement have assisted me in making the decision to go back to school for an MBA while keeping an eye open for an opportunity to use my expertise and skills gained from the BS Hotel Administration from UNLV's Hotel College. Your blogs are what keeps me looking forward to managing a hotel property one day.
Posted by: Zulay Shum | 06/06/2009 at 04:02 PM
Mr. Thanks as always for you inspirational stories. I also admire the reverance you show to you father. Keep it up.
Posted by: Sid | 06/05/2009 at 10:24 AM
Thank you Mr. Marriott.
Posted by: KJ | 06/05/2009 at 08:53 AM
THANK YOU MR. MARRIOTT FOR YOUR GREAT WORDS OF WISDOM. YOU CONTINUE TO BE A GUIDING LIGHT FOR THIS PLANET.
Posted by: A,E,BUDDY WOOD, JR. | 06/05/2009 at 08:46 AM
Thank you for your words of encouragement for the class of 2009 my son will be going to college as a freshman in 2009 at Clemson University and I have shared with him your book The Power to Serve and when you think about it Mr. Tracy did as you say believe in your goals and promote those who have talent around you and the business will thrive.
I have always told my children that the goal in life is.... to give back to GOD a well challenged gift ...thyself!
So congratulations to your father and all of the Marriott family who embraced his dedication to making a difference in this world. Keep up the good work
A loyal Marriott guest and Vacation club owner.
peace be with you Debbie
Posted by: debbie | 06/04/2009 at 04:13 PM
Your family has an incredible story! Have you ever thought of memorializing Aaron Tracy somewhere in one of your Utah properties? It is possible that the Marriott we know know may not have existed but for his intervention in your Father's education.
Posted by: lionel eras | 06/04/2009 at 01:33 PM
In work as well as life it is not what happens to us that matters but what we do with what happens that makes us great -- thank you for sharing this story about Aaron Tracy helped focus your father ans subsequently your entire family with the right attitudes towards life.
Posted by: Gregg Gregory | 06/04/2009 at 12:55 PM
Bill,
I agree. Optimism is a ripple that turns into a wave. Preferably, one can see that wave from the balcony after a good nights rest at a Marriott.
Posted by: Doug Weller | 06/04/2009 at 11:57 AM
Inspirational words by an inspirational leader!
Posted by: Diana | 06/04/2009 at 10:21 AM