Executive-in-Residence Richard F. Barry III
University of Mary Washington students spend four years worrying about classes,
grades and internships, but that’s nothing compared to the demands of
the “real world.”
A representative of that world came to campus in October to offer wisdom and
advice to students. Richard F. Barry III, vice chairman of Landmark Communications,
served as University of Mary Washington’s Executive-in-Residence for
the fall 2004 semester. In classes with students, Barry discussed business
ethics and leadership.
Many students asked about the basic issues and apprehensions of young adults
looking to work their way into the business world. Barry, whose wife Carolyn
graduated from Mary Washington in 1965, emphasized the importance of balancing
three dimensions of life: work, home and self.
He also gave students advice on résumés and interviews, drawing
on his previous experience at the helm of the Virginian-Pilot and
Roanoke Times, as well as his current role as vice chairman of Landmark
Communications. The company owns a variety of media outlets throughout the
country, including The Weather Channel and nearly 100 publications. Barry
stressed the significance of familiarizing oneself with a company before going
in for an interview and making use of the interview itself.
“The best interviews are where the job applicant is firing questions
at me,” he said. When students inquired about starting salaries, Barry
warned them against focusing too much on money early in their careers. He
said that the jobs with the highest starting salaries are not always the most
productive in the long run.
Barry, who holds a bachelor of arts from LaSalle University and a law degree
from the University of Virginia, also said that many college graduates make
the mistake of waiting around for a specific job and end up wasting valuable
time. He encouraged students to find jobs wherever they can and work their
way up from there.
“You do have to have a job, but it doesn’t necessarily have to
be the job,” he said.
Many students were struck by Barry’s advice, including senior Kelly
Martin. “I thought it was interesting that he put an emphasis on getting
out there, getting your foot in the door and realizing that sometimes you’ll
have to settle and work your way to the top,” she said.
Senior Franz Wesner also found Barry’s voice of experience helpful.
“Students need direction from executives and management, people who
have done it before.”
– Katy Nicholson ’06