Guest Lecture: Syracuse University

n a world shaped by geopolitics, trade, and AI, career paths are anything but linear.

During a guest lecture at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, APAC Advisors CEO Steven Okun shared how trade negotiations play out in the real world — and what that means for businesses navigating global complexity.

The conversation also turned to career advice for students interested in international relations. Three themes stood out: the importance of making yourself unique, doing the hard work to truly understand complex issues, and prioritising learning and growth over short-term financial gain.

These lessons resonate even more strongly as the first generation enters the workforce in the AI era, where curiosity, depth, and adaptability matter as much as credentials.

Great to see such engaged discussion and thoughtful perspectives from the next generation of global leaders.