Overview of the Executive Mentor Program

At the beginning of the year we business students were informed that we would be taking part in the Executive Mentor Program. At first we did not really know what the program would entail exactly, but we were quickly informed what we would be doing while involved in the program. The objective of the Mentoring Program is for these mentors to:

·       introduce and inform us students of the college of business the different types of jobs/careers hat are available to us business students

·       Discuss a variety of topics, including time management, personal finance, goal setting, communication skills, and job market realities

·       Provide networking opportunities in the New Orleans business community so that the students can find excellent internships, summer jobs, and post-graduation employment

·       Take the students on field trips to local businesses( some examples: Berning Productions, Canal Place, Hubig’s Pies, etc…)

By taking part in the Mentor Program it has been nice and beneficial to meet with fellow Loyola Alum. The reason I guess this would be the most valuable and beneficial part of the experience is that as fellow students of Loyola they can inform us on what we should be doing while we are freshmen and where to start so that we do not prolong our goal to be successful in the business field, as well as tell us what we should be doing to get involved in our community. Also they have helped advise us with what we should do with our specific majors and how to make us stand apart from others so as to make us more valuable to the specific business field.

After taking part in the Mentoring Program for already a semester, my expectations did change a bit. My expectations at the beginning where a bit higher than what I have experienced over the course of the first semester, not saying that none have been met during this period of time, but I believe that my complete expectations were not met because seeing as we have only met about four times it is impossible for all of my expectations to be completely met, so I am sure and have no doubt that as the program continues that my expectations will surely be met and probably go beyond.

In regards with advising fellow peers at other universities with finding an executive mentor I definitely would recommend finding one. The reason being is that by having someone there advising you on what you should do in order to become successful in the business arena is definitely beneficial seeing as one is technically on their own in college and definitely could use guidance, especially from someone in that field of work which you are interested in, is definitely a great assistance and support system, not to mention providing one with beneficial advice.

         For the next semester, in regards with the Executive Mentor Program, I am greatly looking forward to hopefully doing more hands on activities in regards with my major/field. Also possibly to meet people who are professionals in my field of work to see what they do, what their everyday to day job consists of, and to get some feed back as to what to do in order to set my self apart from the rest of the crowd. As for next semester at Loyola I am looking forward to keep on working and learning more and to strive ahead in order to get closer to specializing in my field/major. Also I really hope to get involved with a group at school, my main interest is to become a member of the Loyola International Business Organization, which I believe would be very beneficial for me since that is the major which I am currently declaring. And ultimately to keep enhancing myself as a student here at Loyola.

         While we are all away during Christmas break it is going to be key for us business students to keep up with current business events in order to keep up and not get behind in the business world. So some helpful and useful sites for current business events are:

 http://www.businessweek.com

˜  http://www.nytimes.com

˜  http://www.news.bbc.co.uk

˜  http://news.google.com

˜  http://www.npr.org

Wolves on The Prowl 2008 :))

On Saturday, November 8, 2008, I woke up at 7:30 a.m. in order to go to the annual Wolves on the Prowl Community Service Day, which was held by the college of business. When we got there at 8 a.m. we received t-shirts that were made for the service day, which we were to wear during the day and our service project, and they also had breakfast for all of us before we began our endeavors Once every one was there we were split in to four different groups:

1. "Cubs in the Den" Good Sheperd school field day at Loyola. Volunteers will coordinate games and activities for the Good Shepherd students.
2. "Service Starts in Our Own Community" Volunteers will be cleaning up and painting a space i the basement of the Danna Center that will be used as a WFF break space.
3. Wilson Charter School Volunteers will help clean up and paint at the Wilson Charter School
4. LUCAP's project SMILE (Students Moving Into the Lives of the Elderly). Volunteers will be potting plants with the seniors at the Uptown Shepherd Center followed by lunch and fellowship. 

My group went to the Wilson Charter School. So we took a bus and were bussed to the charter school. There at the school there were multiple projects which could be done. Some people could help put gym equipment together for the physical education department, do garden work, make bulletin boards, or help teachers out with class tasks. Also when we got there we were informed about the history of the charter school and that the actual school was under remodel at the moment and that after Katrina that the community was going to be turned into a green area. While there Nataly and I helped out with one of the teachers in her classroom;we cut out laminated pieces of paper that would

 form to be a game that would help with the children in learning and we put the name of the teachers in the class books. Even though they appeared to be minor tasks and not important, it actually does mean a lot and especially for the kids. Because when they come back to school on Monday  they will be very excited and grateful for the tasks that we have done and will appreciate the effort we put in during that morning. And even though it was not a huge task it felt good to help in the some way and give back to the community around me. 

~Wolves on the Prowl is " an annual day of service planned and led by the Office of Alumni Affairs, which pairs volunteers from the Loyola community with programs that need help. This year, alumni in eight cities, including New Orleans, will roll up their sleeves for

 charity"(www.loyno.edu)

~Another compelling service organization in New Orleans would be the Global Green Rebuilding New Orleans Project. The reason I believe this is a compelling project is because after Katrina, besides other Gulf Coast Cities, New Orleans was affected a tremendous de

al and we all know had to be re-built. And now with the new craze of going green it makes perfect sense for this necessity. The Holy Cross Project, Global Green is committed to:

• "Creating a green model or showcase for development and rebuilding for New Orleans, and green affordable housing in the US"
• "Ensuring the sustainability and log term affordability of the Project's housing units for residents, and socioeconomic fabric of the neighborhood through the center"
• "Educating NOLA residents, the Gulf Coast and broader American public through the Project's visitors center, NOLA resource center, and website about the benefits of green building"
• "Advancing smart solutions to global warming that both benefit communities and engage stakeholders in building will for action"