Mentors and Friends
Jeff Ward ’83 had been a high school summer exchange student in Germany so when he had the chance to participate in a study abroad program in Germany as an Austin College junior, he jumped at the chance. He lived in an international student dormitory and spent weekends selling cuckoo clocks in the Black Forest, which helped with his language fluency. He also traveled throughout Europe during the experience. He knew he wanted to spend more time in Germany so returned upon graduation and spent three years working for an IBM affiliate there.
Jeff returned to the U.S. and earned an MBA at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in 1989. Next, he joined the corporate team at American Airlines in Dallas/Fort Worth in a position that satisfied his love of travel.
Back in Texas, Jeff signed up for the Austin College Alumni LEADS (Letting Effective Alumni Direct Students) mentoring program, wanting to “pay forward” assistance he had received from a mentor. Meanwhile Stephen Nelson ’92 sought networking opportunities through the LEADS program. Passionate about airline travel and interested in international relations, Stephen was excited to speak with someone in marketing at American. The two men quickly learned that each had studied abroad, held interests in international relations, and were self-proclaimed airline enthusiasts. (Even as a child, one of Stephen’s goals was to work for American Airlines!)
Jeff said he received many calls from students in those days, but few followed up. Stephen did—which impressed Jeff. The two decided to meet in person. Jeff offered advice and encouragement as Stephen secured his first job—and when Stephen was offered an international position, Jeff encouraged him to “take a leap of faith” and move to Cairo, Egypt.
Eventually, it happened that Stephen and Jeff both were working at American Airlines. As the two men’s careers progressed, Jeff was pleased to remain a mentor to Stephen and felt it important to “teach him how to be a good citizen” along with sharing professional advice. “We both have the Austin College experience; we both love travel and have it as vocation and avocation,” Jeff said. “From that first meeting, a life-long relationship was born, and we became good friends in the process.”
In 2001, Jeff “was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug” and started Northward Leadership and Development, a professional coaching and leadership development company. He spent five years in that field until he “coached himself out of coaching” and returned to the travel industry, working with a group in Cape Town, South Africa, that did tour packages for him.
Soon, along with South African investors, Jeff launched African Safari Consultants, a consumer-direct, customized photo-safari tour planning firm. Now, he operates the New York office and travels the world.
Stephen took a position with Lufthansa German Airlines in 2001, and this spring, he moved to Seattle to take a position with Federal Express.
“I see Austin College as a springboard for that student who has grown up in Texas but has aspirations for an international career and to be out there in the world,” said Jeff, who grew up in Seabrook, Texas, and saw the same desire in Stephen to get out and find his place in the world. “Austin College provided the foundation for me on a personal and professional level to get into a great graduate program and to embark on an international career.”
Stephen, too, tries to “pay forward” the help he received from Jeff. “I definitely realize the value of networking and it has taken me far in my sales work and in my personal and professional development. Austin College helped instill that in me by the sense of community that is fostered there through relationships with faculty and other students.”
Alumni mentors can be instrumental in the lives of students today. Alumni who are willing to advise, meet, or speak with students about their professions—or those interested in offering internship opportunities—should contact Margie Norman, director of Career Services, at 903.813.2447.
The interesting nature of Jeff’s current work with African Safaris is another story for another time. In the meantime, check out his website: www.africansafaris.com.