You’ve likely heard of TED Talks—but here at Case Western Reserve, TedListens.
This Ted is Ted Evans (MGT ’95), a consultant and industry veteran who has had a successful 20-year career working with myriad companies, such as Accenture, A.T Kearney, Grainger, Intel, General Electric, Pfizer and Chevron, to name a few.
Now, Evans is bringing his expertise in finance, strategy, business, business process outsourcing, relationship building and operations to guide Case Western Reserve students in one-on-one consultation sessions called TedListens.
“With my background in helping people combined with my extensive network and consulting experience, I wanted to create an opportunity for students to sit down and talk about themselves and some of the road blocks or barriers they face,” Evans said.
The sessions are open to juniors and seniors of all majors who are:
- Uncertain about what to do after obtaining an undergraduate degree,
- Looking to increase income potential,
- Thinking about career options outside of their major or
- Hoping to build skill sets to enhance job choices.
“We have found the sessions to be extremely valuable,” Evans said. “They are not only sessions for students who don’t know what they want to do, but also for students who do know what they want to do but need help getting there.”
Evans, who is on the boards of directors of the Cleveland Zoological Society and the Northeast Ohio Leukemia and Lymphoma Society , also is using his breadth of business knowledge as an admissions manager at the Weatherhead School of Management.
The highly engaged alumnus—throughout his career, he regularly visited the Weatherhead School to recruit, speak and attend events—focuses on attracting students to the MSM Finance and MSM Operations Research and Supply Chain programs.
“Our entire campus should realize that these programs are great options with extremely talented faculty. They should know that several scholarships are also available—and, upon graduation, great job opportunities,” he said. “Basically, my mission is to create awareness and find qualified candidates for those two programs.”
That, and to help qualified candidates find their future careers.
Interested in TedListens? Currently, one-on-one TedListens sessions are held in Tinkham Veale University Center on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Soon to be launched are more casual, fun group TedListens events at the new Corner Alley in Uptown. Undergraduate junior and seniors can contact Evans at ted.evans@case.edu.
Stay tuned for campus updates—but first, read more about Evans in this week’s five questions.
1. What is your favorite city and why?
Zurich, Switzerland. The level of respect and politeness of the people really struck me. Switzerland is the one country where I seriously checked into citizenship.
2. What one word would you use to describe yourself, and what one word would your friends use to describe you?
My friends would describe me as “sincere” and I would describe myself as “trustworthy.”
3. In all of your education, who of your teachers had the greatest impact on you?
The teacher who had the greatest impact was Professor Richard Osborne, from right here at Case Western Reserve. When I was an MBA student, I remember going to his house to celebrate Thanksgiving because I wasn’t able to travel home. He invited all of those who could not make it home for the holiday. When I came back to Cleveland, he was my first phone call.
4. When it comes to music, what artist/genre would you consider as one of your “guilty pleasures?”
Radio Disney. My kids like to listen to it in the car…Ariana Grande and all of that stuff.
5. What is your favorite thing about Case Western Reserve?
My favorite thing about Case Western Reserve is how much select staff and faculty truly are invested in current students and alumni.