HIGH POINT, N.C., April 20, 2023 – High Point University students gained career guidance from Dee Ann Turner, former vice president for talent at Chick-fil-A and HPU’s Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence, and Lynn Chastain, former senior vice president and general counsel for Chick-fil-A, during their April 12 visit to campus.
Positive labor market movements have created new jobs, driven unemployment down and wages up, Turner said. She noted employers plan to hire 14.7% more 2023 college graduates compared to the class of 2022, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. She also warned students to be wary of scams, phantom job listings and to not expect instant job placements because of the current high volume of applications.
“There’s this thought that it should be a dream job market for the Class of 2023 and yet you’re having some frustrating new factors,” said Turner. “It’s a process and a journey. Find an organization whose culture matches your character.”
Turner shared her childhood dream of being a writer, earning a degree in journalism and then finding an advertising job that was at an organization with a toxic culture. She applied at Chick-fil-A because she lived in Atlanta, Georgia, and was familiar with the growing restaurant chain but was initially rejected. By happenstance, her husband changed a flat tire for a woman who was retiring from Chick-fil-A. His kind act of changing a tire resulted in changing Turner’s life path and led her to work 33 years in Chick-fil-A talent (human relations) and sustainability roles. She published her first book on her 30th anniversary with the company and has written two more.
Approaching Your Career in the New World of Work was the topic Turner addressed with students of various majors during her visit. While on campus, she recorded film content to provide interview tips and best practices for landing a job; shared lunch with Strickland Women’s LIFT Fellows; met with HPU’s Career Coaches to discuss the current work climate; and participated in a panel discussion with Chastain on the topic of Complimenting vs. Competing.
Chastain shared her experiences of graduating early from high school and college, working as a parole officer, and returning to school to earn her master’s degree in counseling and a law degree. After working seven years in a large Atlanta law firm specializing in commercial real estate, Chastain became Chick-fil-A’s general counsel as the company was expanding and served for 30 years.
“It is a journey and if you have some principles grounding you, the things that make you authentically you, they’ll serve you as you make choices,” said Chastain. “In all these experiences, you learn who you are, what you are and who you’re going to be in that space. Hopefully you’re growing not only in skills but who God intended you to be.”
Chick-fil-A’ named Turner as its first female officer and Chastain as the first woman to serve on its executive committee.
“We really supported one another,” Turner said. “By complementing each other instead of competing, we were creating opportunities for others.”
Chastain agreed and suggested students ask themselves who they are bringing along with them and what are they doing to advance not only themselves but talents they recognize in others.
Turner’s presentation was meaningful for Abby Ellis, a sophomore English major and Music minor from Olney, Maryland. She noted Turner’s advice about ways to stand out when competing with other job applicants.
“One way she had found to do this is to follow-up after the interview via handwritten thank-you notes and emails,” said Ellis. “She also encouraged us to not be discouraged by rejections because it is part of the job application process. Also, just get started on your career. If you will enjoy the position, go for it, even if your ideal position isn’t open yet. Experience is often very important to employers, however she said to never join a company that does not align with your values because it will only cause you to be miserable. Creating and nurturing connections with people could be the make-or-break moment for your career. Ultimately, you will have setbacks in your career, but everything will work out because God is in control.”
That message also resonated with Davis Ritenour, a senior popular culture and media production major from Wilkes County, North Carolina, who plans to attend graduate school at Bowling Green State University in Ohio to pursue a master’s degree in popular culture.
“It was really inspiring when she said to know you will end up where you need to end up,” said Ritenour. “That gave me peace of mind.”
Turner is part of HPU’s Access to Innovators program, which connects students with industry leaders for networking and mentorship opportunities. Turner joins Apple Computer Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence; Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph, HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence; Dallas Mavericks’ CEO Cynt Marshall, HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence; Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner, HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence; Former U.S. Ambassador and FCC Chairman William “Bill” Kennard, HPU’s Global Leader in Residence; ABC News’ “Nightline” Anchor Byron Pitts, HPU’s Journalist in Residence; American Actor, Producer and Television Presenter Dean Cain, HPU’s Actor in Residence, and many others.