Two Howard University alums who are senior leaders at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) returned to campus last week for a fireside chat enlightening students on how to prepare for the future workforce.  

Alum Yolanda Seals-Coffield (B.A. ’93), PwC’s U.S. chief people and inclusion officer, joined fellow Bison Lawrence Ballard (B.B.A ’94) for a discussion on emerging trends in the workforce and how students can prepare for their careers ahead of graduation. More than 100 students, faculty, and staff filled the Howard University School of Business’ auditorium Sept. 25 for the spirited conversation. 

Seals-Coffield explained her role at PwC and the work she's doing to enhance the company's employee experience. "I’m responsible for our inclusion strategy, how we create and cultivate an environment where all of our people feel that they are seen, valued, and heard."

She told students that they’re entering the workforce over the next few years at an interesting time where there are tremendous changes happening, but massive opportunity for professional growth. 

"We need a workforce that is preparing workers for tomorrow and we’re preparing workers for a world we don’t understand yet," she said. “The way that you do your work will absolutely change. What we need to do is make sure that we are building the skills that people will need to adapt to that workforce.” 

The Importance of Human Skills in a Technology Driven World 

During the discussion, Seals-Coffield highlighted how artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the workforce landscape and emphasized that employers and educators should train workers on how to responsibly use the technology.  

"AI is a skill, we have to train people on how to use this technology and how to use it responsibly to aid the work that [they're] doing," said Seals-Coffield. "Learn how to be critical of AI, it should not do your work for you. You are cheating yourself of the responsibility you have to yourself to grow and learn as a writer and communicator." 

In addition to technical skills, she also noted the need to build and develop human skills.  

“Human skills are going to be so much more critical as technology evolves,” Seals-Coffield added. She explained that human skills are “critical judgement skills, intellectual curiosity about what you’re doing every day, reasoning ability, and empathy, one of the most critical human skills that you can have.” 

Lawrence Ballard, a PwC Audit Partner who currently serves on the School of Business’ Board of Visitors, moderated the conversation and agreed that developing human skills are what distinguishes good job candidates from standout candidates during interviews.  

“When you hear people talk about top performers, the skills that tend to elevate top performers are typically those human skills — the ability to look at things analytically, the ability to build relationships and connections, to think ahead about what’s coming next, and to effectively project manage.” 

From Howard to the ‘Big Four’ 

In addition to providing advice and guidance on navigating the workforce, Seals-Coffield and Ballard also discussed their student experiences at Howard. Seals-Coffield, who earned a degree in political science and then went on to practice employment law for 25 years before landing at PwC, reflected on her time as a Flashy Flag dancer in Howard’s Showtime Marching Band. 

“I think those were some of my fondest memories, getting out there at football games, being out on the yard, and marching in parades. Being in the marching band was awesome,” Seals-Coffield shared.  

Ballard, a first-generation college student who studied accounting, advised students to build strong relationships with their professors. 

“If I could do one thing over during my time at Howard, I would have taken better advantage of my relationship with my professors,” he said.  

He added that he holds strong to his connections to the university and leads the recruiting relationship between Howard and PwC, a large multinational professional services network (one of the “big four” consulting firms) that provides organizations with audit, assurance, tax, and advisory services.  

Sharon Strange Lewis, MBA, assistant dean of Impact and Engagement in the School of Business, invited the two Howard alums to provide first-hand perspectives of the industry and what to expect.  

“The students here are at such an amazing time in history because they have the opportunity to walk into the workforce and create the spaces we will need for the future,” said Strange Lewis. “Planting those seeds now while our students are here is opening up their mindset. That is why PwC [came to campus]: to say we’re going to help you create that mindset that’s going to prepare you for the future so that you can go out there and change the world.” 

All photos by Adriana Fraser, Office of University Communications.