When Kate Konen first spoke as the student commencement speaker at Fox Valley Technical College in 2015, she was a graduate with big dreams and a plan to build a better future for her family.
A decade later, she’s back. But this time, the chef is back as an alum with a story that spans food shows, live TV segments, and international travel. Her message to today’s graduates? Stay steadfast in your goals, remain flexible in your approach, and never underestimate where a “Plan B” can take you.
Read Kate’s remarks to the Class of 2025:
Welcome everyone and thank you for joining us here this evening.
It’s very surreal for me to be standing on this stage again. When I first spoke here, 10 years ago at my own graduation from Fox Valley Technical College, my speech was directed to my fellow classmates. As I stand here today, my message is again, for the graduates, however as an alumni, it is seen from a slightly different perspective.
My original speech was all about life’s “Plan B.” I attended FVTC as a returning student, in my “second act,” if you will. Cooking had always been a passion, and I also enjoyed the interaction with customers as a server and bartender for over 20 years, so degrees in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management made sense to me. To be honest when I started school, I wasn’t entirely sure what my ultimate goal was, other than to attain my degrees, excel in my classes, and secure a job that would make my family proud and allow me to be home nights and weekends with my kids… not always a realistic ask in the food world.
While I was in school, I took advantage of many opportunities that allowed me to meet people in the industry and really get a feel for the diversity of jobs that were available in my field. By doing this, I was exposed to things that I am convinced I would not have been otherwise. Some things tested my comfort level, but I forced myself to do them anyway.
One of those things was applying for a short term job, working with Jones Dairy Farm, at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago. I interviewed with their team, and was chosen, along with 3 other students. Now, it may sound dramatic, but that experience changed the course of my career. After working the show, and spending 5 days with the Jones team, including the President, Philip Jones, learning about their company, their products, and their culture, my vision for my future became clear.
I was going to find a way to work at Jones Dairy Farm. And I told Mr. Jones just that. His response? “Keep working hard. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
Over the next two years while attending school, I continued to work with Jones at various other food shows and 2 more times at the National Restaurant Show. In summer of 2015, they asked me to work the Jefferson County Fair, demonstrating and sampling recipes to the public. I was nervous, but I said yes. Little did I know that it was an audition.
Shortly after, I was asked about doing a cooking segment on The Morning Blend on TMJ4 in Milwaukee, representing Jones. Cooking on live TV. 7 minutes. I was terrified. But I said yes. My first segment, making Poutine Stuffing for Thanksgiving, aired in November of 2015. One month before graduation. I didn’t freeze up… I didn’t forget the steps… I didn’t burn anything… It was a success. I was asked to return for a monthly segment.
I made my intention clear to the Jones team that I wanted to be a permanent part of their company. I was excited, and confident. But… they didn’t have any positions open for me. They offered to set up an interview with their broker. I would be selling Jones products. I would also be selling 25 other brands. Another pivot. Not my end goal… but closer.
I said yes. And I took the job.
Anyone who knows me well, especially my family sitting in the audience, can attest to the fact that when I get an idea in my head, it takes up permanent residence.
And so every 3 months, I emailed Jones asking the same question… “Do you have a job for me yet?” And every 3 months I was met with the same answer… “Hi Kate. Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, nothing yet, but feel free to keep checking in.”
So I did. Every 3 months for the next 2 years, I sent that email. In November of 2017, after having worked at the broker for almost two years, Jones called and asked me to come in “to talk”. Again, excited and confident, I drove to Fort Atkinson. At the end of my interview, when they asked if I had any questions for them, I said, “Just one. Is there anything that you’ve seen from me that would prevent you from hiring me today?.” The answer was no. They offered me a job as a Retail Territory Manager. I didn’t even know what that was. But I said yes. I became a full-time employee in January 2018.
For the last 8 years, I have had the chance to work in various sectors of our business, from Retail and Foodservice to National / Ingredient and Club Channel, to my most recent position of Culinary Solutions Chef. In September, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to South Korea, Japan and the Philippines with our executive team to assist in growing our international business. It was an experience I will not soon forget.
10 years ago, the woman who stood here talking about life’s Plan B could have never imagined where my education here at Fox Valley Technical College would take me. I read something years ago that stuck with me… “Be steadfast in your goals, but flexible on how to achieve them.” Some of you graduating today are reaching those goals already, and that is something to be so proud of. And for some of you, this may be your Plan B like it was for me, and you should be equally proud.
If you take anything from my story, I hope it’s this… allow yourself options. Embrace those opportunities. It’s ok to be uncomfortable because that’s when amazing things happen… when you step outside your comfort zone. KEEP SAYING YES. That one little uncomfortable 7 minute cooking segment turned into 10 years and over 160 cooking segments on local and national tv stations, including promoting our Jones Brand on QVC.
I am standing up here today, proof that if you feel the fear and do it anyway, it may turn out that your Plan B will take you exactly where you were meant to be all along.
Congratulations, Class of 2025!!
