WEBVTT NOTE Created by CaptionSync from Automatic Sync Technologies www.automaticsync.com 00:00:00.216 --> 00:00:02.396 align:middle >> So good evening, class of 2024. 00:00:02.396 --> 00:00:06.766 align:middle It's wonderful to see some faces of our newest professionals and leaders. 00:00:07.136 --> 00:00:13.016 align:middle My thanks to San Jose State University and the School of Information, Dr. Chow and Dr. Wong, 00:00:13.016 --> 00:00:15.466 align:middle for the invitation to speak with you. 00:00:15.806 --> 00:00:20.296 align:middle We in Silicon Valley think highly of SJSU's graduates. 00:00:20.406 --> 00:00:23.256 align:middle As much as any class since the emergence of the Internet, 00:00:23.316 --> 00:00:29.736 align:middle you are coming into this professional world to shape our next 25 years and beyond. 00:00:29.736 --> 00:00:34.516 align:middle Our horizon is filled with tremendous change and fundamental questions. 00:00:34.826 --> 00:00:38.226 align:middle We have six generations working together for the first time. 00:00:38.626 --> 00:00:41.896 align:middle The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence 00:00:41.896 --> 00:00:47.926 align:middle and the path towards general AI will change how we work, the jobs people will hold, 00:00:48.236 --> 00:00:51.496 align:middle and will reshape economies, as well as communities. 00:00:51.716 --> 00:00:55.186 align:middle There's both excitement and apprehension in that. 00:00:55.446 --> 00:00:58.196 align:middle We have questions about how to shape common values 00:00:58.196 --> 00:01:00.976 align:middle when social connections are down across the board. 00:01:01.466 --> 00:01:05.826 align:middle Marriage rates, participation in social and volunteer organizations, 00:01:06.096 --> 00:01:08.986 align:middle attendance at churches, time with peers at work. 00:01:09.596 --> 00:01:13.726 align:middle How do we handle our changing values and needs related to privacy 00:01:13.726 --> 00:01:17.166 align:middle and securing the digital infrastructure and services of nations? 00:01:17.546 --> 00:01:23.956 align:middle As scholars, you see more than most how we are struggling to determine basic truths 00:01:24.266 --> 00:01:27.346 align:middle in a very noisy world of information and media. 00:01:28.086 --> 00:01:33.346 align:middle The ability of AI to generate images and audio artifacts that warp reality, 00:01:33.346 --> 00:01:36.616 align:middle that make the fake convincing as the real. 00:01:36.986 --> 00:01:42.266 align:middle That's only going to undermine our ability to know what we can believe and agree to address. 00:01:42.676 --> 00:01:46.576 align:middle All that's to say is you're going to be world-class problem solvers 00:01:46.866 --> 00:01:49.376 align:middle because we have heavy world-class problems. 00:01:49.996 --> 00:01:52.286 align:middle But you studied information and technology. 00:01:52.476 --> 00:01:54.496 align:middle You see the world as it should be. 00:01:54.936 --> 00:02:00.276 align:middle And to paraphrase Alan Simpson, those that travel the high road of humility 00:02:00.276 --> 00:02:03.576 align:middle and hard work are not often bothered by heavy traffic. 00:02:04.126 --> 00:02:08.016 align:middle But they are among the best of us and we need your humble work and leadership. 00:02:08.656 --> 00:02:10.386 align:middle A story for you. 00:02:11.026 --> 00:02:15.396 align:middle I see a lot of smart people on our teams, ones who work to rise 00:02:15.396 --> 00:02:18.076 align:middle and have opportunities in their careers. 00:02:18.216 --> 00:02:23.186 align:middle About five years ago, we had two come through as fellows from different programs. 00:02:23.586 --> 00:02:28.156 align:middle By most measures, equally bright, equally hardworking. 00:02:28.606 --> 00:02:34.416 align:middle Both rose quickly to midlevel managers leading in areas of data science and equity, 00:02:34.416 --> 00:02:36.956 align:middle planning and permitting, and homelessness. 00:02:37.326 --> 00:02:40.056 align:middle Same age and both had their master's degrees. 00:02:41.106 --> 00:02:46.346 align:middle As they rose, we started to see one stay on a fast path. 00:02:46.346 --> 00:02:50.846 align:middle The other ran into more barriers they couldn't overcome without increasing help. 00:02:51.346 --> 00:02:52.176 align:middle We coached. 00:02:52.176 --> 00:02:53.076 align:middle We mentored. 00:02:53.426 --> 00:02:57.426 align:middle But we started to see clearly a gap between the two emerge. 00:02:57.996 --> 00:03:02.366 align:middle Whereas one truly thirsted for feedback, developed the emotional strength 00:03:02.466 --> 00:03:08.186 align:middle to see critiques as gifts, and dedicated energy to building strong relationships with others. 00:03:08.616 --> 00:03:12.206 align:middle The other started to communicate to us in very different terms. 00:03:12.606 --> 00:03:16.136 align:middle Critical feedback meant that others didn't respect or trust them. 00:03:16.686 --> 00:03:21.326 align:middle Critiques from team members were interpreted as micromanagement of their work. 00:03:21.896 --> 00:03:26.956 align:middle They couldn't have to work so hard because people have different opinions, 00:03:26.956 --> 00:03:29.346 align:middle and wouldn't agree, and, "How is that my problem? 00:03:29.916 --> 00:03:32.696 align:middle Criticisms show we aren't a supportive team." 00:03:32.696 --> 00:03:34.046 align:middle And that kind of language. 00:03:34.046 --> 00:03:38.826 align:middle From the other, we heard conversations like "Dang, I hadn't thought of that point. 00:03:38.826 --> 00:03:41.086 align:middle Let me work on this policy to make it better. 00:03:41.596 --> 00:03:46.396 align:middle Can I go into the field with you so I understand how this process will work 00:03:46.396 --> 00:03:47.376 align:middle for you and your team?" 00:03:47.766 --> 00:03:49.716 align:middle That's some of the lessons that Elizabeth mentioned. 00:03:50.306 --> 00:03:52.966 align:middle "There are some new legal requirements coming. 00:03:52.966 --> 00:03:55.536 align:middle Can we team up to plan how we address them?" 00:03:55.986 --> 00:03:57.346 align:middle Or even, "I didn't know that. 00:03:57.386 --> 00:04:02.486 align:middle Can you teach me how those things work at Police so we can address the public safety needs 00:04:02.486 --> 00:04:04.426 align:middle and plan the community engagement?" 00:04:05.056 --> 00:04:07.106 align:middle Or they sent out a message. 00:04:07.106 --> 00:04:09.766 align:middle "Please hammer this report hard and give me feedback. 00:04:09.766 --> 00:04:13.566 align:middle It's important to our plans for the next few years and I need to get it right." 00:04:14.836 --> 00:04:19.786 align:middle Guess which of those emerging stars is now part of the executive team for one of our departments 00:04:20.106 --> 00:04:24.036 align:middle and has emerged as a leading young voice in their field nationally? 00:04:25.396 --> 00:04:28.596 align:middle There are lessons in that story because we see it so often. 00:04:28.966 --> 00:04:34.106 align:middle Consistent elements to success with others, especially where there's fast adaption 00:04:34.106 --> 00:04:35.976 align:middle to change that's required in an environment. 00:04:37.066 --> 00:04:40.936 align:middle One is having expertise in an area of important knowledge. 00:04:41.456 --> 00:04:46.236 align:middle There's another great skill in being able to get good work done and having people's trust 00:04:46.236 --> 00:04:48.436 align:middle because you have a high say-do ratio. 00:04:48.436 --> 00:04:53.706 align:middle And the last is harder to achieve and takes humility, and that's the ability 00:04:53.706 --> 00:04:55.946 align:middle to build relationships that make you better. 00:04:57.016 --> 00:05:01.686 align:middle How many times have we seen that a really smart person who talks 00:05:01.686 --> 00:05:03.836 align:middle but can't deliver or maybe even is a jerk? 00:05:04.446 --> 00:05:10.856 align:middle A person who works hard but often does it poorly or wrong and refuses to learn what's next. 00:05:11.036 --> 00:05:15.356 align:middle The saddest is the person who is smart and does good work but self-limits 00:05:15.356 --> 00:05:17.306 align:middle because they can't connect with others. 00:05:17.696 --> 00:05:19.226 align:middle They don't take the time to relate. 00:05:19.416 --> 00:05:25.376 align:middle They struggle to listen or are unable to improve based on the wisdom of others. 00:05:25.546 --> 00:05:27.486 align:middle They're alone and in the shallows. 00:05:28.306 --> 00:05:33.316 align:middle But if you hit all three marks, I guaranty you you will be successful. 00:05:34.246 --> 00:05:40.016 align:middle And our professionals in the first parts of their careers are making decisions differently. 00:05:40.186 --> 00:05:41.286 align:middle We see that. 00:05:41.406 --> 00:05:44.066 align:middle You are more likely to accept jobs with companies 00:05:44.066 --> 00:05:46.136 align:middle that show diversity in teams and leadership. 00:05:46.736 --> 00:05:52.716 align:middle You are communicating a sense of values in your hiring processes and a willingness to look 00:05:52.716 --> 00:05:57.026 align:middle for employers that roughly match your values, or at least don't conflict with them. 00:05:57.606 --> 00:06:02.466 align:middle You are more diverse and celebrate traditions of many cultures. 00:06:02.766 --> 00:06:05.406 align:middle To you, diversity is celebration. 00:06:05.406 --> 00:06:07.046 align:middle It's not just tolerating people. 00:06:07.716 --> 00:06:12.136 align:middle And you look for work teams where people can share, and critique, and grow together. 00:06:12.666 --> 00:06:16.496 align:middle And you stay with those high-growth teams and bosses longer than other people. 00:06:17.306 --> 00:06:18.316 align:middle You've shown that personally. 00:06:18.316 --> 00:06:19.996 align:middle You are here today. 00:06:20.416 --> 00:06:24.426 align:middle You've worked to become better experts through your master's program. 00:06:24.426 --> 00:06:29.156 align:middle You've been consistent and put yourself in a place of learning and critique on the daily. 00:06:29.726 --> 00:06:34.216 align:middle You're emerging professionals and leaders in important areas to communities and industry. 00:06:34.826 --> 00:06:36.126 align:middle And I want to be clear. 00:06:36.316 --> 00:06:38.816 align:middle You will change things for the better. 00:06:39.056 --> 00:06:44.586 align:middle So all that said, I hope that sounded professional and important, but I have a favor 00:06:44.586 --> 00:06:48.596 align:middle to ask for you and I'd like to end our time a little differently. 00:06:48.596 --> 00:06:53.496 align:middle I think some of us remember Mister Rogers and kind of lessons he gave us. 00:06:53.496 --> 00:07:00.496 align:middle So all and each of us have people who have helped us come to this moment tonight. 00:07:00.496 --> 00:07:04.486 align:middle Parents, siblings, grandparents, who are always in our corner, 00:07:04.826 --> 00:07:08.156 align:middle friends who root us on from here or far away. 00:07:08.786 --> 00:07:12.596 align:middle A coworker who took an extra shift to help us balance classes 00:07:12.596 --> 00:07:14.596 align:middle or who were just happy to see us do well. 00:07:15.226 --> 00:07:18.576 align:middle Maybe a professor or classmate who gave the extra time you needed 00:07:18.716 --> 00:07:20.196 align:middle to understand something better. 00:07:20.196 --> 00:07:26.876 align:middle Our partners who sacrificed to support us and who give us assurance in our moments of doubt. 00:07:28.026 --> 00:07:32.136 align:middle Even loved ones who are passed and who may be looking down on us. 00:07:33.426 --> 00:07:37.766 align:middle These are people who have shown us a largeness of heart and who have loved us 00:07:37.766 --> 00:07:41.226 align:middle into being the individuals who are here today smiling. 00:07:41.366 --> 00:07:47.436 align:middle And so the favor I have for you is will you please take 20 seconds with me to just think 00:07:47.436 --> 00:07:50.956 align:middle of those people, to appreciate the strength they give us in life, 00:07:51.766 --> 00:07:53.976 align:middle a small moment of silence and devotion. 00:07:54.166 --> 00:07:55.466 align:middle And I'll say don't worry. 00:07:55.576 --> 00:07:56.656 align:middle I'll watch the time. 00:07:57.516 --> 00:08:10.306 align:middle [ Silence ] 00:08:10.806 --> 00:08:17.166 align:middle So those people you thought of, how proud they are of you, how full their hearts to know 00:08:17.166 --> 00:08:20.126 align:middle that you feel they made a difference in your life. 00:08:20.126 --> 00:08:24.126 align:middle And how contented they must feel to have seen you grow 00:08:24.126 --> 00:08:26.756 align:middle through the years and watch you shine today. 00:08:27.566 --> 00:08:33.786 align:middle In a time when the world seems inhumane, these connections and moments are what remind us 00:08:33.786 --> 00:08:36.816 align:middle about human bonds and the care we need to choose to hold. 00:08:37.686 --> 00:08:40.546 align:middle So with that, I just want to say we are proud of you. 00:08:40.626 --> 00:08:43.956 align:middle We look forward to seeing the positive marks you make on this world. 00:08:44.436 --> 00:08:49.686 align:middle I know you'll be helpers that others need and you'll be the ones that combine the nobility 00:08:49.686 --> 00:08:52.416 align:middle of talent, and hard work, and compassion. 00:08:52.906 --> 00:08:58.426 align:middle And so on behalf of our San Jose community and your SJSU family, we're in your corner, 00:08:58.586 --> 00:09:01.106 align:middle we're rooting you on, and congratulations.