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WKCTC Speaker Advocates Global Mindset for Success

WKCTC Speaker Advocates Global Mindset for Success
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By Bill Hughes
Sep. 15, 2014 | PADUCAH, KY
By Bill Hughes Sep. 15, 2014 | 04:54 PM | PADUCAH, KY
West Kentucky Community and Technical College continues its new diversity and inclusion program series Wednesday night, with guest speaker Stacie Berdan.

The series of programs reflects the college’s commitment to create and maintain a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming college environment. Berdan's presentations will encourage students and anyone who attends in "Creating a Global Mindset for Success."

Berdan is a global executive and careers expert who has written several books on the global mindset, and how it benefits everyone - in the classroom, factory, hospital or office. She says the inter-connected and faster-paced society in which we live practically demands workers with an understanding of a multi-cultural world.

"One that speaks multiple languages, one that deals with people not only in western Kentucky or the south of the United States, but throughout the whole world," Berdan said.

She cited recent statistics that show 13-14 percent of jobs in Kentucky are related to international trade, so it's important for students to be able to interact with varying types of people. Those international relationships can be anywhere in the business model.

Berdan said, "Where are their other customers? Where are they sourced from? Where can things be manufactured? Who are we going to market these things to? You know, most people don't realize that the United States is only 5 percent of the world's population - 95 percent of the consumers live outside the U.S. borders, and so that's the reason why developing a global mindset is so important to students graduating today."

Berdan said it's become apparent that more and more American companies and CEOs have developed this philosophy since the global financial crisis of 2008, especially since the U.S. has not rebounded as quickly as the rest of the world.

She said global thinking should apply to every type of business, not just manufacturers who import or export. As an example, Berdan said the medical field has seen lots of growth in this area, and needs bi- and tri-lingual professionals who can communicate with patients or colleagues, and understand cultural differences that might impact exams or procedures.

She said every employee's job gives them opportunities to think globally, as they consider a product's purpose, consumers, raw materials, manufacturing, marketing and distribution.

It's been said that the best way to learn a language is to be immersed in that environment where you are forced to speak and comprehend contantly, and Berdan said she advocates college students studying abroad to develop a global mindset.

"It really pulls students out of the comfort zone of the United States, and they get to see first-hand, and experience first-hand what it's like to operate, live, study in another environment. It really expands their cultural horizons," Berdan said.

She added statistics show that those who study abroad typically make better grades and have better graduation rates, too.

Berdan will speak at 11:00 Wednesday at the Clemens Fine Arts Center, and again at 7:00 pm at Crounse Hall's room 101.

Berdan will also speak Tuesday night at McCracken County High School, at the 1st Annual Exceptional Children Parent Conference. Parents of special education or gifted and talented students will enjoy a meal at 5:00 pm, followed by a message by Berdan. Breakout sessions will follow, with child care available.
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