Nigel Thompson, President & CEO, Shares Advice from Global Experience with Students
June 12, 2014

This past Friday Nigel Thompson, President and CEO, of Yazaki North America sat down with the interns and co-ops to have lunch, share advice, and gather insight from the future minds of our industry.

Nigel was very insightful about the automotive industry especially the concept of the automotive industry’s relevancy in the global market. Nigel added that the market is much more global than it has been in years past. This will cause some challenges because students are not just competing within the United States that are competing with people around the world.

Students today will face things that their parents did not. Nigel said, “Be prepared to take global opportunities. Believe me, they are fun. Be open to different cultures and different environments because that is what makes life interesting.” He went on to describe that he has been to over 39 countries in his career. Nigel described that it was the opportunity of a lifetime to see all the different cultures and to learn new aspects of business.

With all of the traveling that Nigel does, the students were curious to see and hear about his work-life balance. Nigel explained that it was very hard moving a family because it is not just your happiness at stake. You have to make sure that your family is comfortable with making this change.

He gave insight on how in the future he predicts that our generation will be much more mobile in our careers. Nigel said, “It is a challenge and moving people, especially children, around the world and it is not always ideal. This will get easier and be more common as industries are becoming more global.”

As a final word of advice, Nigel shared what he believed the interns and co-ops should take advantage of during our time at Yazaki, and that was to open up our eyes to the world around us because people often don’t stop and pay attention to their surroundings.

“Keep your eyes open. Appreciate what is around you. That is where you will learn the most. Be open to your experience. Be open to new things. Take whatever opportunities come to learn and ask new questions. Challenge people and challenge yourself. Ask questions. Learn more. Always ask questions and learn from the answers. The best thing you can do for yourself is to always be learning."