Paul Smith, Corporate Vice President of Emerson, presented a talk at American University of Sharjah (AUS) on October 15, 2014. The lecture was a part of the Career Advancement Workshop Series organized by the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs. Emerson, which specializes in process management and industrial automation to household products, is considered a distinguished corporate partner of AUS.

Smith was introduced by Dr. Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs, who said, "Our Career Advancement Workshop Series is aimed to equip students with the practical knowledge they need once they graduate."

During the talk, Smith shared his personal journey with the attendees and guided them on career opportunities. "We are very impressed when students come to us with extracurricular activities in addition to academic qualifications," he said.

Encouraging the students present, he said, "Don't let your past define you; it's what you do today and tomorrow that counts. Move out of your comfort zone. My quest today is to make you stop and think about your future and your part in it."

The talk was followed by an interactive question and answer session.