We then had many more conversations about his career over several games of golf or sometimes tennis. By the way, Jono was an ace tennis player and had previously given lessons to my son Ryan. I pointed out that Jono could become a technologist with a Bachelors Degree, go on to get his PhD and become a scientist or change tact completely and become a technical marketing representative that could provide additional rewards. I pointed out that technical reps were able to interact with many scientists across several industries and keep current on the latest scientific advances. Moreover, reps typically have a better career path with the potential for greater earnings and advancement in their responsibilities. Jono, chose to then change his major to molecular biology and although this was a bit tougher academically, with some study suggestions, he was able to graduate with this degree. We did speak about the possibility of attaining an advanced Masters In Administration degree at this time as well that would further provide for his career.
I wrote and designed his resume and I took him to a biotechnology conference in Perth where he interacted with a range of people from chief scientific officers to laboratory technologists which built his confidence. He later submitted his CV for a regional technical marketing rep job for one of the largest life sciences companies in the world and got the job interview. A few days prior to the interview, we worked on what to say and he then met the company representatives including a PhD senior sales executive and another. There were no surprises and he answered their questions that we had anticipated they would ask. At the end of the interview, he then asked if they would like him to start on Monday or Wednesday. The interviewers were delighted at this question and said so. Jono then asked how he went in comparison to the other interviewees and the interviewers smiled and commented that he has set the bar that they will be measuring all of the other candidates. Bottom line was that Jono was the youngest and most inexperienced of all of the candidates and got the job. For more than 7 years, Jono has delivered exceptional results to the company and has received many awards for this not to mention that he has made quite a bit of money in his remuneration package. Recently he just received an award for best sales person and the company sent him to a five star resort with other reps from around the world and senior executives coming in from corporate office in San Diego.
Earlier on, I had advised Jono to consider his MBA and after researching some USA schools he decided to get this from the University of Western Australia. He recently received his MBA and then approached his company to seek advancement and he was successful. They have given him a major opportunity for business development in two key industries in the large Oceanic region and they have moved him to the Australian corporate headquarters in Melbourne to fulfill this new role that he will be successful in.
While attending university for his MBA, Jono met a lovely and highly intelligent woman named Belema. Mimi and I were so happy that we were introduced to her for us to personally see how nice she was and how happy Jono and Belema were. She is so smart and personable and she also recently graduated with her MBA which is in addition to her engineering degree that has advanced
Jonathon & Belema Morison her career in the resources sector. I have provided some mentoring for her at her request. It wasn’ t long before being introduced to Belema for us to be invited to their wedding in Dunsborough in Western Australia. It was a superb wedding and it was such a pleasure and honor to have ben able to experience this with them. Jono and Belema have just moved to Melbourne for their next life chapter to begin and Mimi and I will certainly be visiting them there.
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