A Talk by Ed Kuyper: Changing the Lens on Career Fulfillment

October 2, 2024 - Megan Borders

Ed Kuyper, Executive MBA alum, gives talk to UNM Anderson studentsEd Kuyper, Executive MBA 2010, recently moved back to Albuquerque to serve as CEO of Reytek Equipment. Reytek manufactures custom-designed equipment for clean room environments, such as semiconductor, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

He spoke to Anderson students in September about “Changing the Lens on Career Fulfillment,” which drew on his experiences before and after earning his Executive MBA degree.

Kuyper, an engineer by training with degrees in physics and mechanical engineering, spent 22 years at Intel. He started as a manager in Yield Engineering and rose through roles such as benchmarking manager, business development manager, senior technical analyst, Xeon product manager and lead supply chain architect. Along the way, he became recognized as an expert in strategy, supply chain leadership and overall business leadership. He holds a Lean Six Sigma black belt certification.

He explained his application of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to career development, which begins with the lessons learned from your first job and works upward through the different levels of responsibility throughout a career.

Kuyper shared his unique perspectives on career development, emphasizing the need for a person to understand their wants and gifts. This theory encompasses more than just achieving the next promotion; it is more about what will satisfy them when they retire. Regarding their gifts, he asked the students, “What can you do that no one else can do? Answer this question, and you will have your gifts.” He explained that a person’s intrinsic confidence in the workplace comes from defining wants and gifts.

He concluded his talk with advice from his experience. He suggested they surround themselves with people with the right attitudes, highlighting his family's importance in his career and the risks he took to become CEO today. He recommended practicing gratitude and identifying the little wins daily to acknowledge the work and time spent on projects. Lastly, he advised them to face their fears, as everything they want in a career is on the other side of that fear.

“Ed has had a highly successful career with over 20 years at Intel, where he had the opportunity to put into practice much of what he learned during his time at Anderson,” said Beverly Bracker, the Executive MBA program manager. “He shared important messages with our graduate students, including how to recognize when something isn’t working and having the courage to face your fears and make necessary changes. He brought humor and humanity to serious topics while offering hope and inspiration.”