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Dr. Mark T. Esper, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, shared insights from his life and career in a special webinar with the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the �鶹ӰԺ.

Esper took part in a discussion hosted by Entrepreneur-in-Residence Mark Sirangelo on Wednesday, Dec. 15. The conversation included anecdotes from Esper’s past, career advice, and thoughts on the future of engineering and aerospace.

“My focus has always been first on the job in front of me, and then on how I can prepare for the next one,” Esper said. “I tried to find an azimuth -- a general direction I wanted to go.”

Serving in leadership in the defense industry and then as Secretary of the Army and Secretary of Defense, Esper has been on the front lines of new technological developments. While his focus was on military uses, the advances have broad applications across many sectors.

“Artificial intelligence, autonomy, and robotics will drive the future. It’s quite an exciting time to be an engineer and to be involved in this new generation of technology coming to the fore,” he said.

Although Esper has spent much of his career in leadership positions, especially in national security, he earned his undergraduate degree in engineering and recognizes the society-wide impact new technologies will have.

“Autonomy is going to fundamentally change how society works,” Esper said. “It’s somewhat unimaginable what it will do; not just in the military but society writ large.”

He recommended students view earning their degree as just one point in their educational journey, and to never stop learning.

“Do not specialize too soon. Seek a large range of experiences. Having a broad-based background early in your career will teach you things you will use and need later on in life,” he said. “Constant improvement and continual education are vitally important. It doesn’t end when you get your diploma.”

For engineers who aspire to leadership positions, he emphasized the importance of soft skills to complement engineering knowledge.

“You have to understand other things – human relations and personnel; corporate finance and Wall Street; and sales and marketing, for example. At the end of the day, if your company is selling a product, then you need to understand those numbers and these things,” he said. “You also have to have strong interpersonal skills. Develop your EQs – your emotional intelligence. It’s an important attribute to develop if it doesn’t come naturally.”

He also encouraged attendees to give back and spend at least part of their careers in public service at the local, state, or federal levels.

“We’re all very fortunate to have been born in this country. In traveling, I see people line up at U.S. consulates around the world to come here to live and work, and it’s stuck with me. I always felt a need to give back and help others. It’s an important thing to do,” he said. “It does come with costs and sacrifices, but it has rewards as well if you can make a difference for your fellow man.”

Esper’s appearance was part of Mark Sirangelo’s ongoing Future Insights webinar series for aerospace students. Other talks this semester have included Robert Geckle, CEO of Airbus US Space and Defense, noted astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Mike Griffin, former NASA Administrator.