May 20, 2007 By Joyce Koballa 4 min read

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor shared three pieces of advice Saturday with members of the graduating class of 2007 at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, as well as a lesson on how technology has continued to change the global economy into the 21st century. “All of you are entering into a world of work that is far different from that of all that came before you,” said Emily De Rocco during the campus’ 37th annual commencement services held at the Community Center.

A Penn State alumna, DeRocco said it was a privilege to be in her home state speaking to the next generation of the best and brightest in Pennsylvania.

As chairman of the Fayette Campus Advisory Board, Wayne H. Port reminded graduates this was their day. “You’ve earned it,” said Port.

Port touched on respect and how it could prove to be the answer to avoiding conflict, not only for individuals, but also for nations.

As the 192 graduates enter unexplored waters, DeRocco asked that they follow their passions, they not be afraid to take risks and take advantage of every opportunity to expand their horizons.

“This is an exciting time for the class of 2007 all across America to be entering the economy, and I envy the opportunities that lay ahead,” said DeRocco, who manages the country’s public workforce investment system.

According to DeRocco, the associate degree program in mining engineering technology introduced this year at the campus has assisted the local mining companies in meeting their workforce needs.

DeRocco added she hopes the program will continue the tradition that defines the area’s regional economy.

DeRocco said 2007 also marks the 100-year anniversary when farm agents from the Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension Service worked with area farmers to improve production and profit for about 27 years before the Undergraduate Center was established in Uniontown.

“As descendants of that generation, you’re entitled to the same opportunity for success as your ancestry,” said DeRocco.

While many graduates were growing up when the personal computer was first introduced, DeRocco went on to say how technology is now accessible from the palm of our hands.

“For the United States, there is no better time to be at the top of the global economy, for it is where the greatest leaps and innovations are occurring and giving the most opportunity for our workers,” said DeRocco.

Innovation, said DeRocco, has also raised a level of convenience in the way that we communicate through social networking, iPods and other forms of technology.

DeRocco noted the emergence of a 24-hour, seven-day workweek as one more aspect of the global economy that would greatly affect college graduates.

“Because the economic activity is occurring around the world at all times, employees and individuals will need a much stronger position to set their own schedules and work weeks,” said DeRocco.

For today’s college graduates, DeRocco said such an economic transformation would mean having them succeed in their professional lives beginning with their college degrees.

“Lifelong learning is here to stay in our economy…today’s in-demand skills may not be there tomorrow, requiring all of us to consider going back to school or learning new skills,” added DeRocco.

DeRocco said statistics show that by age 35 most people will have had an average of nine jobs and within their lifetime change careers an average of three times.

“To prepare for these jobs, you will need to advance your education, and that doesn’t necessarily mean going back to school, but there are other things like learning specialized skills in every profession you pursue.”

A native of Pennsylvania, DeRocco was nominated by President George Bush to serve as the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training on June 21, 2001, and sworn in to office that August after being confirmed by the House.

In addition to high-level federal positions serving Cabinet officers in the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Energy during the Reagan administration, DeRocco spent over 10 years as the executive director of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies.

Also speaking during commencement services were Chancellor Emmanuel I. Osagie; Dennis F. Brestensky, professor of English, who is retiring after 42 years; and student representatives Jean Wood for the associate degree department and Katelyn Kubitza for the baccalaureate degree department.

As new graduates themselves, Wood, who earned an associate degree in nursing, and Kubitza, who earned a bachelor of science degree in administration of justice, reminded their fellow classmates of the new beginnings they will face.

Wood spoke on behalf of the non-traditional students juggling families and jobs whose dedication and perseverance paid off, while Kubitza told them how the past, present and future all play important roles in their lives.

“Today marks the end of a new beginning,” said Kubitza.