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Sean Rush, MBA ’81

General Manager, Global Education Industry, IBM Corporation

“I learned the most important skills needed in business today while at BC years ago. I learned how to lead, to motivate and to understand people. I also invested in a life-long relationship with Boston College which has continued to provide me with value on many levels throughout my career.” Sean describes the BC network as a social fabric that continually weaves itself through both your personal and professional lives.

One thread of this fabric is illustrated by his friendship with a fellow classmate. While attending classes and study groups during the MBA program, Sean and Paul LaCamera became good friends, and long after the study sessions were over Sean stayed connected with Paul (now General Manager at WBUR). Over the past 20 years, the classmates and friends continue to socialize at many events in the Boston area, such as the Chief Executives’ Club of Boston and BC alumni events.

Later in his career and as head of Global Education, Sean searched for the right person to lead IBM business in Asia. After he had chosen an internal candidate, Arleta Chen, he found out that she was a fellow Carroll School of Management graduate (MBA, class of 1981). “Having shared the same rigorous educational background, I was that much more confident in Arleta’s abilities to achieve success.” Today, Sean and Arleta stay connected with each other through BC by engaging in the executive mentor program at the Carroll School and volunteer work.

“It’s important to remember where you came from and to keep connected to where you were. It’s very selfish not to look back and help others along the way.” Whenever Sean has the opportunity, he considers it a duty to help fellow alumni start their careers or transition to a new opportunity.