Executive Mentor Overview...

When we first started out as students in the College of Business here at Loyola we were informed that we would take part in the Executive Mentor Program. When we first heard this we were not clear as to what this program exactly entailed, we could only imagine that we would have business people mentoring us in regards with the business world. Once we met with the teachers and the mentors we quickly learned the objectives of the Mentoring Program and that the mentors are to: 

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

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

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

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

Taking part in the Mentor Program it has been nice and beneficial to meet with fellow Loyola Alum. This was the most valuable and beneficial part of the experience, because as fellow students of Loyola, they informed 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, and at the same time they told 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.

         When I first started out in the Mentoring Program I had a very different outlook as to what the program it self would entail. I imagined it to be a program where we would learn, to some degree, what it was to exactly work in our fields of business in order to see if that was truly what we wished to pursue. Even though this is not what I experienced through out the year of taking part in the Mentoring Program, I can say that at the beginning I did not know very much at all as to how to network and this is something which we discussed a great deal through out the period; and as a result my networking skills have greatly improved and I know what to do and what not to do.

         In regards with networking, there were many skills that were learned during the networking night in the St. Charles room. One thing I did well during the network event was being engaged in the conversations with the mentors/professionals as well as asking questions that would continue the conversation, allowing me to obtain as much information as possible. I also learned that if there is a common interest between us, it helped further the conversation and connect at a more personal level.
         After completing the Mentoring Program, I did not necessarily acquire much more knowledge than I already knew, but I did learn a great deal on how to successfully network. Learning this skill is probably one, if not the best, skill that I could have learned how to do during this program, because it is probably the most essential one in order to succeed in the business world. 

(we did not go on a field trip)

"Throw Me Somethin' Mister!" Its Mardi Gras time...

~ This semester with our mentors we have learned a few things in regards with business communication. Two examples that we have learned are: the manner in which one creates the message and what to be careful with when sending a message. In regards with how one creates a message, the ultimate goal is to express not impress the receptor(s). The reason why one should do this is because if one tries to impress the receptor with business jargon or fancy/fluffy wording, then it can differ from what you are initially trying to communicate to the person. Therefore, it is best to stick to the simple way and just express ones self instead of trying to impress them. As for the second example of what not to do in business communication, we discussed how one must be very cautious what they are sending through e-mail because it can accidently be sent to the wrong person and end up in the wrong hands. The mentors provided us with an example where one of their co-workers was sending a personal e-mail, which as a result contained personal information, and when they decided to send it they accidentally send it to the wrong person. The e-mail was actually sent to one of their managers and to say the least they received a warning that they should handle his or her personal e-mails at a different time and not at work. So lessoned learned is that one should deal with personal tasks either at home or out of the office.

~ One job that I have learned about which I might like to do is being a marketing director. The reason why I am interested in working in the marketing field is that it will allow me the opportunity to use my creative skills and at the same time to work with companies which I am interested in, whether it be fashion or sports. Another important reason as to why I am interested in doing marketing, and potentially international marketing is because with the new increase in the Hispanic population and “…quickly gaining importance in the US market, ad agencies are searching for marketing expertise to appeal to this audience. Publicis Groupe, Omnicom Group, WPP Group, and other agency giants have invested in or bought Hispanic-focused advertising agencies”(http://careerbeam.1stresearch.com). Therefore, I can use my bi-lingual capabilities to my advantage and work in this Hispanic market, which I would truly love to do and hopefully work in that specific type of market.

~This Mardi Gras I am looking forward to experiencing it with my friends, since in previous years I have always come with my mom and with family. Therefore, I want to experience a Mardi Gras with my friends and enjoy the music and the whole atmosphere which Mardi Gras provides during this time of year, and attempt to catch as many beads as possible too. The one thing I wish to avoid is to get in to any encounters with intoxicated people. This probably sounds a bit odd, but the reason being is because last year when I came with my mom we were waiting for the parade at Lee Circle and behind us was a group of guys, with two of them being heavily intoxicated. This all lead to the two of them to fight each other and almost caused me fall, but luckily that did not happen.

~ New Orleans has always been known for being the host of the largest party in the United States every year, Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras has been celebrated for 153 years this year in New Orleans, marking a huge celebration and the continual bringing back of New Orleans. The whole idea of bringing back New Orleans is in the sense of the cities old New Orleanians and tourists as well, everyone who made this city was it was and still is, a great city. One element that is noticeable, especially after Katrina, was that Mardi Gras to some degree was more family oriented. From personal experience, when I came down for Mardi Gras after the hurricane in 2006, I noticed how it was definitely more family oriented. In a way, it was a form for people to say that New Orleans is our home and that nothing is going to keep us away from it. This Mardi Gras exemplifies how we as a community will be strong and bring back our amazing city. A quote which describes the city to the tee is “Laissez les bon temps roulez” and it “has never meant more in the city that never sleeps, and one thing’s for sure… this year’s party will be bigger and better than last… and that’s a sure sign of a much needed return to normalcy, though the disaster that was Katrina will not soon be forgotten! One-phrase still echoes throughout the Quarter, “It is the PEOPLE that make New Orleans great!” OK… we keep hearing that we are an integral part of the party… even of every day life in New Orleans, so it is more important than ever to support the city that recognizes our value! So, let’s all meet in the Quarter and have a whole lotta fun… day and night… sound like a plan?” (www.tripsmarter.com). Ultimately New Orleans would not be the same with out its Mardi Gras essence, and that why I think now, more than ever, it is important for the city of New Orleans since it is what makes its identity complete.

Networking 101

On January 15, 2009 I woke up that morning with only one thing on my mind, what was I going to wear tonight for the Networking event with the mentors. I realized that I only had a few hours to spare after class in order to figure out the perfect and appropriate business casual outfit to wear with what I had in my closet. I had in mind the perfect pencil skirt to wear that was very business chic and all I needed was a button down collard shirt and my outfit would be complete, and luckily my roommate saved the day and lent me a white bottom down shirt. It was 6:14 p.m. and my friends and I were rushing out of Buddig on our ways to meet the mentors. On the way there I was extremely nervous and kept rehearsing what I was going to say when I met them and my closing line in order to obtain their business card. When I walked through the doors I told my self that I had to get over my fear of talking to strangers and just act as if it were an old friend who I hadn't seen in years and we were catching up. After getting used to talking with the mentors and, to my surprise, finding quite a few similar connections, it became easier to converse with them which put me more at ease. By the end of the night I had obtained six business cards and had had good and insightful conversation with each of the mentors and professors which I had spoken with that night.

    The backgrounds of the five business professionals you met were:

Jude Boudreaux:

˜  Director of Financial Planning for Bellingrath Wealth Management (which he started himself)

˜  A certified financial planner

˜  Pursuing a Masters of Science in Financial Services from the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA

˜  Helps people reach and obtain their dreams that they’ve always wanted and shows them that it is possible when they thought it wasn’t with their financial situation

Julie McDonald

˜  Has worked for the past 5 years for Science Applications International Corp.(SAIC) on the Entergy account as an Asst. VP/Customer Service Manager/ Project Portfolio Manager for various Entergy business units

˜  Attended Loyola University in New Orleans, LA, where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science with a minor in Business Administration.  She was a member of Theta Phi Alpha sorority.

˜  Some major lessons that she learned over the span of her career include: 

                                    1)  Listen to the customer 

                                    2)  Always look for better, more creative ways of doing things 

                                    3)  Get involved - Be a "do-er"

˜  Earned her Master of Business Administration from Tulane University

Mason G. Couvillon

˜  Employment History:

§  Dardis Couvillon & Associates, President, Principal/ Owner, Financial Planner

§  Companies of Becker & Suffern, Financial Consultant, September 2006- June 2008

§  Hibernia/Capital One National Bank, November 1999- August 2006, Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Trust Investment Officer

§  Moragan Stanley Dean Witter, October 1996- May 1999 Financial Advisor, Retirement Planning Specialist

˜  Went to Georgetown University in the College of Arts and Sciences (1996); then attended Harvard University in the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Coursework, Investment Decisions and Behavioral Finance(2002)

Francisco Cestero

˜  Received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Business from Auburn University

˜  Received his MBA from Loyola

˜  Worked for 9 years in the Shipping/ Maritime Industry

˜  While at Loyola he interned at Mayor Nagin’s office in the Office of International Business Development

˜  Worked for 1 year writing grants and proposals for Public Housing Authorities

˜  Financial Controller Position at Walton Construction

˜  For about 4 years he has been managing approximately ¼ Billion budget for one of the biggest construction companies in the Gust Coast Region

Meredith M. Hartley

˜  Director of Public Affairs and External Relations at Loyola

˜  Began working prior to Loyola in Journalism

˜  Lived in France for 2 years

˜  Also worked for CNN in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics

 

One thing I believe I did well during the network event was being engaged in the conversations with the mentors/professionals as well as asking questions that would continue the conversation that would allow me to obtain as much information as possible. Also if there was a common interest/element that we both had that further helped the conversation, and made the conversation on a more personal level. 

One thing I could have done better would probably to be less nervous and possibly not have a friend with me when going up to the professionals and instead just go on my own and not have to rely on someone else to make me less nervous.

    A business professional that I would like to emulate would be Amancio Ortega, the founder and owner of fashion company Zara:

There reason why I would want to emulate Amancio Ortega on some level is because he started this globally known fashion company from his house and selling products at a low price but at the same time provided very fashionable clothes; and with his tremendous determination he has been able to create this fashion empire from basically nothing and has turned it in to this huge company and now is one of the richest men in the world.

A useful networking link, which I believe, would be beneficial for many to look in to is Networking 101 and at Mary Crane's website.