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Democrat and Chronicle Sunday, May 26, 2013

Len LaCara Business Editor (585) 258-2416llacara@democratandchronicle.com

Len LaCara

The 2013 college graduation seasonis wrapping up this weekend. It hasbecome a time of year when com-mencement speakers dispense practi-cal career advice, learned throughouttheir lifetimes, in hopes that the grad-uates will take heed. Thirty years ago,I received some advice that set me ona life course for which I am forevergrateful.

A few days after returning homefrom college graduation, my late fa-ther called me to his office. Like manyin his generation, my father did notattend college. When asked where hewent to school, he would jokingly re-ply, “the School of Hard Knocks.” Hewas a man of remarkable intellectualcuriosity, capacity and a keen interestin others. He was a seeker who had athirst for understanding and a willing-ness to go it alone that resulted in a

genteel spirit of individuality. When I arrived at my father’s of-

fice, he handed me an index card onwhich he had typed some instructions.He said I would need to study theseand strive for excellence if I wantedto achieve career success. To him,success was grounded in the ideal thatto give of oneself for worthy cause orgoal in a life of service, whatever yourchosen field may be, was the ultimateobjective. We never again spoke aboutwhat he had typed.

For the first 20 years of my profes-

sional career, I taped the card to thetop of my desk to serve as a daily re-minder of his advice. Here’s what itsaid:

Set and stick to specific goals.Think for yourself and follow up

ideas.Back up your words with action.Select and support good leaders, be

willing to serve yourself.Do you know the facts?Have you rehearsed what you plan

to say?Do you vary the tone of your voice,

its pitch and speed?Do you seek constructive criticism

about your presentation?Do you end your remarks by

suggesting some positive action?For 30 years, that well-worn index

card has served me well as I negotiatethe unavoidably turbulent waters of

everyday business life. I’ll neverknow why he chose to tell me thosethings, but he had insights from hislifelong career as a business ownerthat I’m sure had a significant influ-ence.

I was invited to a gathering a fewyears ago in my hometown. The townofficials were dedicating a small parkin the center of town in honor of myfather’s many contributions to thecommunity and the country. As I lis-tened to the kind words of the townofficials, I thought to myself, it is aspecial privilege to know a man whonot only gives you his advice but fol-lows it as well.

Maybe you know a 2013 collegegraduate who could benefit from myfather’s advice. If so, please share it.He wouldn’t mind.

So let’s get to work.

Advice to grads, from ‘the School of Hard Knocks’

PCBURKE@gmail.com

PatrickBurkeOUTSIDE INSIGHTS

Considering it’s one of America’s cloudiest cities, it might surprise some to think of Roches-

ter as a rising star in solar technology.

But sunshine isn’t necessary to develop the tools to collect and store the power of the sun.

You need what Rochester has in abundance — technical know-how, ties to the latest research

and the right facilities to test and make solar cells and batteries. Even

Rochester’s expertise in making film is a plus, given the latest trends in

solar panels.

Things are moving quickly in Rochester’s solar arena:

» Earlier this month, Natcore Technology, the New Jersey-based

company developing new solar power technology, announced its opera-

tions at Eastman Business Park will expand from four employees to

about 30.

» In April, federal officials announced that the Albany-based College

of Nanoscale Science and Engineering was buying a 50,000-square-foot

Eastman Kodak Co. building in Greece where a new solar power re-

search facility would be established.

» The New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology (NY BEST) Consortium’s new

commercialization center, which could play a key role in developing systems for storing elec-

tricity generated with solar panels, is expected to be up and running by the end of the year at

Eastman Business Park.

TINA YEE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Solar energy experts say region poised to be a hub for research, manufacturing

Bennett J. LoudonStaff writer

See SOLAR, Page 5E

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DANI CHERCHIO

GO DEEPER ON DIGITAL

Click on this story atRochesterNext.com toview videos about solarenergy projects in theRochester area.

INSIDE

» Sean Lahman column:Bright insights from solarinnovators, 3E