INTROVERT NO MORE
An influential father and leadership curriculum helped Calvin Massey excel at ECU
Soon-to-be-alumnus Calvin Massey Jr. describes himself as an introvert. However, he was able to break out of that personality trait when he enrolled at East Carolina University and the College of Business (COB).
“I was given assignments and a lot of personality tests that defined traits to help me become more open,” said Massey, a Winston-Salem native and business finance major.
A self-described introvert, Calvin Massey participated in a business leadership curriculum that helped him learn how to network and meet more people.
Massey’s experience at ECU shows those assignments and tests did indeed work. He is the keeper of finance for Omega Psi Phi fraternity’s Upsilon Zeta chapter and vice president of the National Association of Black Accountants. He also interned at Boeing, where he served as a billing analyst.
“Coming into ECU forced me to open up, network and meet more people,” said Massey. “It brought me out of my shell.”
It is fair to say that Massey would not have “come out of his shell” if not for his father while growing up. His father instilled in him the importance of going to college. Growing up, Massey also was told about experiences at ECU from previous alumni.
When asked if those experiences lived up to expectations, Massey said, “yes.”
“It was the people that I met (in college) and the opportunities that were available to me,” Massey said.
Massy particularly liked the COB’s leadership and professional development curriculum, something every business major must take while enrolled. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for business world realities and focuses on business concepts, leadership theory, professional development and leadership qualities.
“I’ve been able to implement what I’ve learned in these business development courses,” said Massey. “It was more than classroom work. The instructors added their own (business) experiences.”
One business instructor, T.D. Gribble, struck a positive chord with Massey. “He provided advice that was suited for the younger generation. He had a lot of passion and showed proof of his experience.”
Heading into his December graduation, Massey is sending out applications and participating in numerous interviews. The future is wide open for him.