Patrick McDavid, an instructor at Michigan State University's School of Packaging, went from academic probation to earning two master's degrees and a PhD. He explains how packaging protects products from shocks and vibration, especially critical in e-commerce, and advises younger professionals to focus on impressing leadership and use employer tuition reimbursement.
Chapters
Welcome to the Business Blast Podcast. I'm your host, Tyler Wagner. This episode is brought to you by Authors Unite. Authors Unite provides you with all the resources you need to become a successful author. You can learn more about Authors Unite and join the free community at authorsunite.com. Now let's jump into the episode.
Alright everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Business Blast podcast. I'm your host Tyler Wagner. Today I have Patrick McDavid with us. He's an instructor at Michigan State, the School of Packaging. So welcome to the show, Patrick.
Thank you for having me, Tyler.
Appreciate it.
Of course, thanks for joining us. We'll dive in. The first question I have for you is, what's the best story from your life that has an underlying valuable message?
Spanish?
I guess that would be to never give up on yourself. For me, high school was easy, and when I came to Michigan State as a freshman, I stumbled. I got put on academic probation, ended up taking a year off, and as embarrassing as that whole situation was, I didn't allow myself to stay down. I came back, built my GPA back up, ended up having a great career. Got 2 master's degrees, and now I'm here 20 years later teaching here and working on my PhD. So I have to remind myself that I can do it. And so much of it's mental. It's easy to say I can't and to believe that lie. I'm doing all this with a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old at home, and every day is a struggle to really feel overwhelmed, but just have to tell myself and remind myself that I can do it.
And what's the most valuable piece of information we should know that's within your expertise or industry?
So I feel like I work in a very unique industry because packaging impacts everything that you see on the store shelf or things you get delivered to your doorstep now with e-commerce becoming so popular, as well as so many things that you don't see. But still impact lives every day.
I work on protecting products from the real-world environment, making sure that the products are not damaged by shocks and vibration, compression, temperature, and pressure, and basically are able to fulfill their intended purpose and don't end up in a landfill because of damages.
And what's your best piece of overall business advice, and not necessarily industry-specific?
Continue learning. So students ask me the same question, and what I tell them is to take advantage of educational benefits like tuition reimbursement.
You know, most of the students that I work with, they're going to be working for big companies. And if those companies offer, you know, some sort of tuition reimbursement, some sort of educational benefits, and they're not using them, they're just leaving that money on the table, both now and in the future.
And if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?
Probably just to remember that you've got to impress your boss's boss.
And in your opinion, what is the key to happiness?
Not to sound like a cliché, but for me, it's being able to find something that you're passionate about and brings you fulfillment. And after 20 years in this industry and now this new stint in academia, I still have that passion for what I do. Every day is something new. I really love teaching and hope that the passion I have passes to my students. My last job, they kind of tried to move me to something different, and that's part of the reason that I ended up here back at Michigan State teaching. I didn't like what I was doing, so never be afraid to take a chance to find your passion.
And what's the best book that you've read, and what was the number one thing you learned from that?
I'm not a huge reader, but for me, the best book out there is the Bible. And the best lesson I learned from that is to put others first and to always strive to be last, because I think it always will work its way around and benefit you in the end.
And what's your favorite quote and why?
So I'm a huge hockey fan, and one of my favorite quotes actually comes from Wayne Gretzky. And he said, I can't remember how long ago, "Skate to where the puck is going and not to where it has been." And it just reminds me to be prepared, anticipate. You really have to think about more than just one moment. Think about where your decision's taking you and what could possibly be in the way.
Yes, man. Thank you so much for coming on, Patrick. The last question I have for you before we let you go is where's the best place for people to find you online?
So they can certainly find me on LinkedIn, and then also through the Michigan State University School of Packaging website.
I'm listed under the faculty.
Perfect. Thanks again for coming on, man. We appreciate it.
Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
The podcast you just heard was recorded with Anchor. If you want to make your own, download the Android or iOS app completely free from anchor.fm/podcast. That's anchor.fm/podcast.
