May Webinar Recap

Click here for the link to the webinar recording!

Finding Direction with Jeff Perry

In May, BYU Connect hosted Jeff Perry, leadership coach, career strategist, and author of The Intentional Engineer, for a conversation on building a meaningful and fulfilling career. Drawing from his own experience transitioning from engineering to leadership development, Jeff offered practical insights to help students and professionals grow with purpose. His focus centered on two key themes: developing an authentic personal brand and gaining career clarity through action.

1) Building a Personal Brand That Reflects Who You Are

Jeff explained that personal branding isn’t something you create from scratch; it’s something you already have. The key is to be intentional about how others see and understand your strengths. At its core, a personal brand is the connection between who you are and what people know about you. Strengthening that connection starts with identifying your values, interests, and skills, and then finding ways to express those clearly and consistently.

A strong personal brand goes beyond polished resumes or LinkedIn profiles. It shows up in how you communicate, how you work with others, and how you make people feel. Jeff encouraged students to pay attention to what he calls their “genius zones,” which are the moments when they feel focused, energized, and confident. These experiences often reveal what sets a person apart.

He also recommended developing a personal introduction, or elevator pitch, that captures your story and strengths in a short, engaging way. The goal is not just to impress but to give others a clear sense of who you are and what you care about.

2) Finding Career Clarity One Step at a Time

Jeff acknowledged that many students feel pressure to map out their entire careers. But the truth is, clarity often doesn’t come all at once. Instead of waiting for certainty, he encouraged taking small, purposeful steps forward. He described career growth as an ongoing process that we figure out by trying new things, learning from those experiences, and adjusting along the way.

One way to do this is through low-risk “experiments.” These could include mentoring others, leading a group project, or taking on new responsibilities in a class, job, or church setting. These experiences offer valuable insight into what types of work feel meaningful and engaging.

Jeff also emphasized the importance of aligning your decisions with your personal values. Knowing what matters most to you can serve as a guide when opportunities come your way, even if the long-term path isn’t fully clear. When fear of making the wrong decision sets in, he reminded students that inaction often feels worse than making a choice and learning from it.

Closing Thoughts

Jeff Perry’s message was encouraging and clear; you don’t need to have every detail figured out. What matters most is moving forward with intention. By building a personal brand that reflects who you truly are and taking steady, thoughtful steps forward, you can gain both confidence and clarity in your career journey.