Career Diversity

Citi Sophomore Diversity Leadership Program

2009-12-22T11:25:00.006-05:00

Program Description

The Sophomore Diversity Leadership Program was developed to attract high caliber talent to Citi in accordance with our Diversity Recruiting Mission Statement. The goal of the program is to provide students with a 10-week summer experience and an introduction to our Investment Banking and Sales & Trading businesses, while working with and being mentored by our business professionals. Successful Sophomore Analysts will be considered for our Diversity Scholars Program and for our Junior Summer Analyst Programs (placement will be based on personal interest and the needs of the firm). To learn more about Citi’s Diversity Scholars Program and our diversity partners, please visit:
http://oncampus.citi.com/about_us/our_culture/diversity/north_america.aspx.

Sophomore Diversity Leadership Program Structure:
10-Week Internship including:
• One week Citi orientation and training.
• One eight-week placement within Investment Banking or Sales & Trading.
• A formal summer review process including a mid-summer and a final summer evaluation.
• One week end-of-summer project and interviews for the Junior Summer Analyst Programs in Investment Banking, Sales & Trading and other Analyst programs of interest.

Qualifications:
• Attend a target university or be a member of one of Citi’s diversity partners. (Note MLT as your referring organization)
• Must be a sophomore pursuing a Baccalaureate Degree.
• Open to all disciplines and majors.
• GPA: 3.5 or above.
• Compensation: Competitive.
• Location(s): New York, NY.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and must not require sponsorship for
employment visa status. (This is a program for which we will not sponsor individuals for work authorization.)
• Rising junior with distinguished academic achievement and demonstrated leadership activities, interest in financial services or banking, high level of personal integrity and commitment to excellence, enthusiasm, energy and a strong desire to learn.

How To Apply:
To be considered for the Sophomore Diversity Leadership Program, you must apply through Citi’s website at www.oncampus.citi.comand select source code: Sophomore Diversity Leadership. You may need to register before you submit your application, cover letter and resume. Note MLT as your referring organization.

Candidates that do not apply through our website will not be considered for this program. Please note: If you are applying for the Sophomore
Diversity Leadership Program, we also encourage you to apply for the Diversity Scholars Program listed on our website. Deadline to apply for both programs is Friday, January 22, 2010.

Forte Foundation Events

2009-12-10T14:14:00.007-05:00

Opportunities with Forte Foundation

Are you pursuing your undergraduate degree, but aren’t quite sure what you want to do with it once you graduate? We invite you to explore the world of business and all that it has to offer. Learn more about how to transition into a career in business by listening to one of our upcoming or recently recorded webinars:

RECENTLY RECORDED WEBINARS

College Webinar: Engineering to Business
Successful women in business with engineering majors discuss their career path and how they leveraged their college experience and made the transition into business. Engineering to Business is part of Forté’s College Webinar series. The College Webinar series is sponsored by BlackRock Investments. Listen to the recorded version: http://virtualcampus.fortefoundation.org/ondemand

College Webinar: Liberal Arts to Business
Successful women in business with liberal arts majors discuss their career path and how they leveraged their college experience and made the transition into business. Liberal Arts to Business is part of Forté’s College Webinar series. The College Webinar series is sponsored by BlackRock Investments. Listen to the recorded version: http://virtualcampus.fortefoundation.org/ondemand

UPCOMING ONLINE WEBINARS

Industry Introduction to Financial Services December 10, 5:00 - 6:00 pm EST
Learn about careers in asset management and private wealth management from representatives at Forté sponsor companies including BlackRock and Morgan Stanley. www.fortefoundation.org/online

“Doing Good” in Business January 26, 6:00 - 7:00 pm EST
Women often tell us they want to “do well by doing good” in their career. Listen to this panel of women leaders from Goldman, Sachs & Co., Eli Lilly and Company and Citi to learn a variety of ways to give back through your career. www.fortefoundation.org/online

Answering the Behavioral Interview Question: "Can you give me an example of a time when you failed?"

2009-11-24T11:07:00.006-05:00

By: GottaMentor.com

QUESTION
Can you give me an example of a time when you failed?

Weak Answer
During my internship last summer, my manager asked me to analyze the attractiveness of launching a new sales channel for our product line that would complement our existing sales efforts, and then present it to the functional heads of our group. I gathered all the data I could internally and externally as quickly as I could to meet an aggressive timeline my manager gave me. I did a thorough analysis of the profitability of our current sales channels and the potential incremental revenues, costs and implementation issues associated with the new venture. When I presented what was a really rigorous analysis and set of recommendations, the sales director (who was not my manager) challenged every assumption I made, hammered me for not understanding the people issues well enough, and turned what should have been a big win for me into an unexpected setback. I kept hoping that my manager would come to my defense in the meeting, especially after she gave me such a short timeframe to finish the work, but she never did.

Strong Answer

During my internship last summer, my manager asked me to analyze the attractiveness of launching a new sales channel for our product line that would complement our existing sales efforts, and then present it to the functional heads of our group. I gathered all the data I could internally and externally as quickly as I could to meet an aggressive timeline my manager game me. I did a thorough analysis of the profitability of our current sales channels and the potential incremental revenues, costs and implementation issues associated with the new venture. When I presented what was a really rigorous analysis and set of recommendations, the sales director (who was not my manager) challenged every assumption I made, hammered me for not understanding the people issues well enough, and turned what should have been a big win for me into an unexpected setback.

I should have foreseen that presenting data showing that the sales director could be managing his existing channels more profitably could create problems that even my boss might not be able to solve during the meeting. I should have found the time to pre-wire the sales director and position my recommendations in a way that would have gotten his support in the meeting. I learned that no matter how sound your analysis may be, what is often as important are the qualitative people issues that are critical to getting support for your recommendations.

Commentary
There are four keys to answering questions about failures, setbacks or weaknesses:

1. Provide legitimate examples of failures, rather than veiled attempts at communicating how good you are (e.g. The classic “I am a perfectionist” answer to the question “what are your weaknesses?”) The examples you use should clearly communicate that you did something that contributed directly to the failure and were accountable for it, rather than leave doubt as to whose fault it was.

2. Communicate what you learned from the situation and how you will handle it differently going forward

3. Communicate why it is relevant - how learning that lesson has made you a better person/ professional.

4. Include just the right level of detail about the example so the audience understands the situation clearly but does not get distracted by too many details. Do not waste time sharing all the details about what happened, as what really matters is what you learned from it.

The weak answer describes the situation, action you took and result. However, it is leaves the audience unclear as to whether the failure was yours or largely your manager’s. Most important, the weak answer does not address what you should have done, what you learned and how this experience will make you more effective going forward.

Credit Suisse Douglas L. Paul Scholarship for Sophomores

2009-11-17T14:53:00.003-05:00

$5,000 Credit Suisse Douglas L. Paul Scholarship & Internship for Sophomores

Scholarship Program Overview

■ $5,000 scholarship towards tuition and / or expenses
■ Opportunity to participate in Credit Suisse's 10-week rotational program
■ Mentoring by junior and senior professionals at Credit Suisse

Eligibility Requirements

Students must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits per semester) at an accredited
four-year college and be a sophomore during the application process. Students with
strong academic achievement, majoring in any discipline(s), are encouraged to apply.

■ Demonstrate leadership and teamwork
■ Active community involvement
■ A cumulative minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
■ An interest in the financial services industry

Applications must include the following:

■ All official undergraduate transcripts
■ Current resume
■ Two essays (no more than 500 words each)
■ Completed application, including signature of applicant

To request an application please email ba.recruiting@credit-suisse.com
Completed applications must be received by November 27, 2009, for consideration

Selection Process
■ Applicants will be notified of interviews by mid-December 2009.
■ Winning scholars will be notified by mid-January 2010.

UBS President's Summer Intern Program

2009-11-13T11:28:00.004-05:00

UBS - President's Summer Internship Program

Overview
The President’s Summer Internship Program is a 10-week intensive rotation through multiple business areas of UBS. At the
conclusion of the program you will understand how an Investment Bank operates enabling you to clearly identify where your
preferred areas of interest may lie. This experience will provide you with an unparalleled platform for your career in financial
services. Your exposure will include (but will not be limited to) the following divisions:

Office of the COO
Equities
Fixed Income
Operations
Global Technology
Investment Banking
Wealth Management

The President’s Summer Internship Program is available to sophomores who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, possess strong analytical skills and are enthusiastic about the financial services industry.
Details

Location: Stamford, CT
Dates: June thru August
Structure: Rotational across business and logistics areas

Introduction to UBS: Financial Markets Education, Presentation Skills, Excel Training
Senior Speaker Series, Networking Events, Community Service
“Apprentice Week”: End of summer project & case study presented to Senior Management
Eligibility Criteria

Currently enrolled as a Sophomore
Minimum 3.4 GPA
All majors welcome to apply! (via Resume and Essay submission)

Interested candidates should apply at www.ubs.com/graduates by Friday, January 8, 2010. Please enter job reference #
0376BR in the keyword field of the search page.

Selection Process
All candidates will be notified of their status by early April.
If you have any questions, please e-mail diversityrecruiting@ubs.com including in the subject line ‘The President’s Summer
Internship Program’.”
It starts with you: www.ubs.com/graduates

Taste of L'oreal MBA

2009-11-11T10:32:00.003-05:00

A Taste of L'oreal MBA is a unique recruitment weekend event for 1st year MBA's interested in a career in Brand Management. Over the course of the weekend you will have the chance to meet with senior marketing executives, participate in a brand management workshop, network with Human Resources and marketing professionals, and interview for a position in our 2010 summer internship program.

Application Process and Timeline

Registration Deadline is Monday, November 30th at twelve midnight
All applications will be reviewed and all students will be notified by December 21st of a decision
To be considered, you must be able to commit to and be available all day Friday, January 22nd through Sunday, January 24th for the events and travel.

>>>Apply Here

Winning Women Leadership Event at JP Morgan

2009-11-10T14:26:00.005-05:00

If you want to be a leader in this industry, who better to learn from than the women who are already driving our business? They've developed impressive careers, hold leadership positions and drive our business forward. And, their stories are quite inspirational.

We hold a series of Winning Women events to give you the chance to make connections that matter and see first-hand what it's like to work at J.P. Morgan.

It'll be a busy schedule. You'll attend interactive presentations, learn about our top-ranked internship programs and network with our senior women executives as well as our Analysts and Associates. You'll participate in various sessions to gain a realistic impression of the work we do and the women who inspire us.

Whether you're a sophomore or junior female undergraduate, or a first-year female MBA student, we have opportunities for you that can help launch your career in global finance:

For sophomore or junior female undergraduate students, we offer the Winning Women Leadership Events for students interested in a Summer Analyst position in the Investment Bank or Asset Management.
For first-year female MBA students, we offer the Winning Women MBA Leadership Forum for students interested in a Summer Associate position in the Investment Bank.

Aside from these events at our New York office, we also offer Winning Women events on campus. Visit our campus schedule to see when J.P. Morgan is on your campus.

Here's what several 2008 Winning Women participants had to say:

"Probably one of the best investment banking events for women around."
"It was informative and insightful and worked to break down some of the barriers women feel when entering the industry."

To get a sneak peek, watch the video of one of our Winning Women events on our Media Zone.

Find out more about deadlines and how to apply.

3 Ways to Pitch Yourself in 30 Seconds

2009-10-29T13:28:00.006-04:00

People often think of the elevator pitch as something you use when you’re interviewing for a new job or trying to raise capital for a new venture. The elevator pitch, however, is no less important once you’ve got the job as it is when you’re looking.

In fact, your personal 30-second spiel about who you are, how you’re different, and why you’re memorable is arguably more important once you’ve landed that great position or won the support of investors and now interact with senior colleagues and important clients regularly.

A managing director on Wall Street once told me of a summer associate who made an uncharacteristically strong impression on senior leadership during a welcoming cocktail party. Within days, the managing director received numerous calls from senior partners advising him to “make sure she gets the attention and resources she needs to succeed this summer.” The young woman’s career has been on the fast track ever since.

So what can you possibly say over canapés and white wine to create so many powerful advocates so quickly and effectively? Think through the following ideas before you craft your pitch:

Have a compelling reason for why you want to be there, as in “why did you decide to join the firm?”

Know what it is that uniquely qualifies you for the position so that you can answer the how, as in “how did you actually get a job here?”

Be able to explain what ties together past and current experiences in a way that is compelling and makes sense — what is the glue that holds your story together?

Of course, no executive or senior manager would dare ask those questions, but your elevator pitch is your opportunity to communicate these critical pieces of information to someone in a crisp but casual way — without even being asked.

As you answer the why, how, and what...

Think relevant, not recent. There’s no rule that says you must talk about your resume in reverse chronological order. Mike was a marketing executive who took a sales position abroad for two years. Yet when he returned to marketing, he kept introducing himself as a someone who had just made a career switch, always leading off with an anecdote about his short stint in sales. Instead, Mike should have started with the fact that he was a seasoned marketing professional who had taken a sabbatical but was now back where he belonged — putting his marketing prowess to work and thinking about what drives consumer spending habits.

Focus on skills-based versus situation or industry-based qualifications. You don’t have to have a background in finance to be good at finance. Alex was a chemist and researcher who had gone back to business school to get her MBA. She decided she wanted to work in corporate finance for a large pharmaceutical company but she was afraid no one would take her seriously given her background. When I pressed Alex to explain to me why she chose finance, she exclaimed, “That’s the way my brain works.” Her thinking was methodical, mathematical and formulaic — all of which translated to someone who was a natural fit within a corporate finance department. Instead of focusing on the fact that her background was in academia, Alex could emphasize to colleagues and clients that she was a numbers person at her core.

Connect the dots — what ties it all together? If you are a chemist turned finance professional or a marketing executive with experience in international sales, you should find a way to bring together the richness of your experiences and show how each one complements the other. For me, personally, I had a significant hurdle to clear with clients as a former Peace Corps volunteer turned investment banker. I explained away the dichotomy of the two by emphasizing to others that I was big picture thinker by nature and a numbers person by training. Banking was a perfect combination of the two — I liked looking at client’s challenges and issues from 30,000 feet and then digging down into the details to come up with creative financing solutions. Whether the client was the mayor of my Peace Corps town in Chile or the CEO of a healthcare company, I could start at a high level and drill down quickly and effectively.

How to Get More From Your Mentor

2009-10-29T12:31:00.002-04:00

**An article posted on the Harvard Business Review Blog

A senior publishing executive at William Morris once told me how baffled she was when an aspiring literary agent asked her to be a mentor. She looked at me and said, "She's got to make me want to be her mentor. Isn't she supposed to do something for me?" The answer is a definitive yes.

A mentor can prove invaluable when it comes to providing insight into your organization, inside information about the politics of the place, or just some over-the-shoulder advice about who to work with and who to stay away from. Mentorship, however, is a two-way street — and you've got to figure out how to repay the favor and make the relationship work for both of you.

We're all busy. Like you, your mentors have competing demands on their time and resources. It's not hard for them to let mentorship fall by the wayside when they're closing a deal, bringing a new product to market or putting out the next fire with an important client. That's why you — as the mentee — have got to make your mentor's investment in you worth their time and energy.

Here are four ways you can provide value to your mentor:

Send "TOUs" or thinking of yous. Share articles of interest or relevant news stories. Keep your mentor's projects and areas of influence on your radar so that you can weigh in periodically on thought-provoking topics. You can even set up Google alerts on her key clients to make sure you're the first to see breaking news — then pass it along and make sure she's "in the know" too.

Provide insight into the rank and file of your organization. By definition, you are more junior (in terms of age or experience) than your mentor. Senior leaders often feel out of touch with the cubicle culture and lack meaningful interaction with the front lines of their organization. You may be able to share reactions of your peers to a new corporate policy or change in organizational structure. Giving your mentor feedback or insight into employee morale is a great way to give back.

Help with extra-curricular activities. Perhaps your mentor does a lot of college recruiting for the firm or runs a leadership development program for women. Why not offer to accompany her on a recruiting trip, sift through resumes in advance or bring her ideas of guest speakers for the leadership program?

Buy 'em lunch. At the very least, if you really struggle to find ways to add value, take your mentor to lunch or dinner. Even if your mentor tries to foot the bill, be firm and generous in your offer. Let your mentor know that you appreciate his help and it's your pleasure to be able to return the favor in some small way. A nice glass of wine or good steak goes a long way toward building good will.

Participate in an Upcoming Forte Webinar for Undergrad Women

2009-10-23T11:54:00.006-04:00

Participate in our career planning webinar series developed for college women! Hosted by Forté sponsor companies, you’ll have the opportunity to hear from panels of women executives with various careers in business on how they positioned their undergraduate experience to successfully enter the business world. Get ready for a successful career and learn how to apply your college studies to the business job of your dreams.

College Webinar Series
Liberal Arts to Business
November 10, 5:00 - 6:00 pm EST

Successful women business leaders in different industries and in varying stages of their career discuss how they got a job in business with a liberal arts major and how their college experience has added value to their career.

Kristina Kazarian, Equity Analyst, Fidelity Investments
Phyllis Ferrell, Senior Director, Global Marketing & Sales Transformation, Eli Lilly and Company
Christy Gajewski, Vice President, BlackRock
Representative from Citi
Representative from John Deere

Click here to register for the Liberal Arts to Business webinar.

Engineering to Business
November 12, 5:00 - 6:00 pm EST

Successful women business leaders in different industries and in varying stages of their career discuss how they got a job in business with an engineering major and how their college experience has added value to their career.

Representative from Citi
Representative from John Deere
Representative from Chevron

Click here to register for the Engineering to Business webinar.

NOTE: Each event is a one hour online webinar that will be broadcast via your computer with the use of headphones or speakers. No dial-in via phone number will be provided. You will be able to ask questions via an online chat function.

Thank You to BlackRock Investments for being the College Webinar Series Underwriter!

2009 Latino Economic Forum: Shaping a New Era of Business

2009-10-23T11:07:00.010-04:00

A powerful forum of leaders discuss Latino impact on U.S. economy

The Latino Economic Forum will convene CEOs, entrepreneurs, top business leaders, high ranking government officials and other thought-leaders to discuss Latino participation in building the economic vitality of our nation. As the premier advocate for increasing Latino access to economic capital, the NAA seeks to establish a continuing dialogue on creating a new landscape within our financial system to include Latinos as decision makers. The summit will highlight utilizing untapped Latino talent to ensure optimal results in our economic recovery.

Dates: October 28 - 30, 2009
Location: The Waldorf=Astoria

301 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

The Consortium MBA Application Preparation Seminar

2009-10-22T17:47:00.005-04:00

To gain a competitive edge, we invite prospective graduate business students to attend our free workshop to learn from MBA admissions representatives and alumni from top business schools how to navigate the MBA admissions process and discover valuable information to help craft a competitive MBA application. Through interactive panel discussions, attendees will:

Understand the value of an MBA
Learn about the benefits of applying to business school through The Consortium for
Graduate Study in Management
Have the opportunity to learn about Consortium member schools and meet
admissions officers
Hear from successful alumni/students about their MBA experiences

Attend The Consortium MAPS to discuss the benefits of pursuing an MBA degree from an educational, professional and personal perspective. Register and bring a friend!

Date: Saturday, October 31, 2009
Time: 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Marriott Metro
775 12th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005

Goldman Sachs 2010 Diversity and Women’s Conference

2009-10-09T11:30:00.002-04:00

*An event for seniors interested in full-time opportunities*

Date & Time: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Venue: Goldman Sachs New York Campus

The following Goldman Sachs divisions are sponsoring the event, where you will have the opportunity to learn about them and our full-time opportunities:

Operations
Global Compliance
Technology
Legal and Internal Audit
Finance
Human Capital Management
Services

Application Instructions: To attend the event and apply for a full-time position, please submit an online application at gs.com/careers to job code “DivWomenFT2010”.

The application deadline is Friday, October 9,2009. Selected candidates will be notified by Thursday, October 15, 2009, and more details willbe provided. Those selected to attend the event will receive interviews the day after the conference on Friday, October 23, 2009.

Register Now for Forte's MBA Informational Webinars

2009-09-30T13:59:00.005-04:00

Thinking about an MBA? Participate in one or more of our upcoming webinars to help you get on track for an exciting career in business.

Maybe you weren’t able to attend one of our Forum events this fall or you attended but would like to learn more. Join us for an upcoming webinar to gain all the information you need to know about getting your MBA. From financing your MBA to learning more about the MBA admissions process to hearing from women of color who’ve sought their MBA, the Forum webinars will put you in touch with successful businesswomen who can provide you with the answers you’re looking for to make this important decision.

Pre-registration for the webinars is required. To sign up for one or more of the upcoming webinars click on the event title and follow the prompts to register.

UPCOMING WEBINARS
Forté Forum: Financing your MBA - October 1, 5:00 PM EDT
Forté Forum: MBA Admissions - October 7, 5:00 PM EDT
Forté Forum: Executive MBA Value Proposition - October 8, 12:00 PM EDT
Forté Forum: MBA Value Proposition in Non-traditional Industries - October 13, 5:00 PM EDT
Forté Forum: Women of Color - October 14, 5:00 PM EDT - Sponsored by: The Consortium
Forté Forum: International MBA - October 15, 12:00 PM EDT

Forté Forum: Executive MBA Value Proposition - October 20, 12:00 PM EDT

Note: Sound for the webinars will be broadcast via your computer (No dial-in via phone is required). You must have the capability to hear this broadcast thru speakers on your computer or headphones and will be able to ask questions via a live online chat.

2009-09-10T11:54:00.007-04:00

If You're Thinking About Getting Your MBA...You Can't Miss This!

What: Pre-MBA Workshop for NSHMBA Members
When: October 3, 2009
Time: 9am - 1pm
Where: Location TBD (Possibly West Side or Malibu)
Capacity: First 100 to Register
Potential Sponsors and Affiliates:

Admit Advantage
Booth School of Business
Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management
The Princeton Review
Raytheon Company

Meals: Continental Breakfast and Snacks
Fees: Free
NOTE: REGISTRATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION. We will confirm your successful registration for the event 2 weeks prior to the event.

Contact: Erik Chavez, Corporate Relations NSHMBA LA corporaterelations@losangeles.nshmba.org
www.nshmba.org/losangeles

Click Here to Register! ____________________________________________________________________
Save the Dates:

September 23, 2009 - GE NBC Universal, NSHMBA and ALPFA Summer Networking Event October 8 - 11, 2009 - NSHMBA National Conference - Minneapolis
November 12, 2009 - Coca Cola "See you at the Races" Networking Event
December 2, 2009 - NSHMBA, NAWMBA and NABMBA Inter Organization "Ready, Set Go! Launch Into Success in 2010" Networking Event

JPMorgan Chase 2009 Latino Leadership Forum

2009-09-10T11:24:00.001-04:00

Adelante, our Latino/Hispanic affinity group, in partnership with their executive sponsor, Gordon Smith, CEO of Card Services will host this event.

Keynote Speaker
Roel Campos –Managing Partner, Cooley Godward Kronish LLP
and former Commissioner of U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission

Date: Monday, September 28, 2009
Location: 270 Park Avenue, Floor 50 New York, N.Y.
Time: 5:30 p.m. - Registration 6:00 ‐8:00 p.m. –Networking Reception
RSVP by September 23: jpm.events@jpmorgan.com

J.P. Morgan Launching Leaders Undergraduate Scholarship

2009-09-08T14:07:00.004-04:00

A needs-based scholarship?
Absolutely.

We award them
to the people
we need.

J.P. Morgan Launching Leaders Undergraduate Scholarship
Apply by October 15, 2009

Roles in Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, Research and IB Risk
To build on our exceptional global reputation as a banking and business innovator, we’re
recruiting more top Black, Hispanic and Native American students. The J.P. Morgan Launching
Leaders Undergraduate Scholarship gives talented students the chance to launch their
careers in our investment bank with prestigious internships in our New York offices and
scholarships of up to $15,000 – money that goes directly to you.* This opportunity is open
to sophomores with any major who are interested in financial services. Find out more
and how to apply on our website. This is where you need to be.
* Amount varies. Visit our website for more details.

Click here to launch your career!

How to Turn an Internship into a Job

2009-08-20T11:00:00.003-04:00

By Francesca Di Meglio

The heat is on for MBA and undergraduate business student interns in the summer of 2009. After clawing their way into coveted internship positions in one of the most competitive job markets in memory, the real fight for full-time job offers is happening now, halfway through their 10 or so weeks on the job.

While there is some consolation in the fact that companies hired fewer interns because they planned to make fewer full-time offers for the following year, the chosen few lucky enough to land those internships still have to make sure they stand out. In fact, this is just the beginning of the battle for full-time positions for business graduates at every level. "This year the job search is not going to be a sprint," says Patrick Perrella, director of MBA career development at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business (Mendoza Full-Time MBA Profile). "It's a marathon." If you want to make it to the finish line with a full-time job offer in hand, you'll have to go the extra mile.

Exceed Expectations
Most career placement directors will tell you that one of the first ways to insure a satisfying internship is to communicate your expectations to your direct supervisor and ask what he or she expects of you. If this has not happened yet, you should make a point to talk to your manager and ask for feedback on how you are doing and what you can improve. You should also tell him or her what you think of the internship so far and how you'd like to add more value.

In addition to a midsummer evaluation, Madhu Palkar, a 2009 graduate of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management (Kellogg Full-Time MBA Profile) who interned at L.E.K. Consulting in Chicago last year, scheduled biweekly meetings with her mentors. "You have to be creative and put out on the table what you bring to the table," says Palkar.

She told her bosses about her experience in health care and took on a health-care assignment in which she excelled. This made a great impression, and when she asked for assignments in completely different fields, her bosses were gung ho. On the last day of her internship, she was offered a full-time position, which she eventually accepted. She is now a full-time L.E.K. consultant in Chicago.

Work Hard and Smart
Worker bees get the honey, say recruiters. A strong work ethic, says Steve Canale, manager of recruiting and staff at General Electric (GE), is the common denominator among those who snag full-time offers at GE. The same is true at Deutsche Bank (DB), and working hard is more important in the weaker economy. "It's not even just about being good now," says Kristina Peters, managing director and global head of graduate resourcing at Deutsche Bank. "It's about being excellent."

Basic rules, such as coming in before the boss and staying longer, still apply. But you also must take initiative to stand out. For example, you could spend some of your free time learning how to use new software to help you work faster or do additional research that wasn't asked of you for the big presentation. Perrella, who used to work at Citigroup (C), says he was always impressed when interns finished their projects early and anticipated what they could do next. Canale says that if you think you could be doing more, you should speak up because most employers will appreciate your willingness and desire to contribute—and they'll happily give you more work.

For more on this article, click here.

Top 5 Ways to Stay in Touch

2009-08-17T16:57:00.003-04:00

Great on the Job takes it one step further. I use TOUs, or thinking of yous, to encourage people to reach out to others in their network. TOUs are short emails and whereas an IOU makes you indebted to someone, TOUs instead create goodwill. Thinking of yous are inherently generous and the goal is to maintain relevance with someone by sharing information or passing along well wishes, with the side benefit of keeping someone on your radar or staying on theirs.

So what should the subject of these TOUs be?

Here are five foolproof ways to ping someone this summer with a TOU:

(1) Pass along an article of interest: Julie, I read this article in the Boston Globe today and I thought of you and wanted to pass it along. This sounds like its right in the sweet spot of what your team is working on. Hope all is well. Best, Erica. [* extra credit for highlighting or bold facing the relevant paragraph or sections of the article]

(2) Congratulate someone on good news: Adam, I spoke with Aaron last week and he mentioned your promotion / new baby / move to Chicago. Congratulations, I’m very happy for you. Once you get settled in, let’s schedule coffee to catch up and see how things are going. Fondly, Kevin

(3) Share a job lead: Cynthia, I wanted to reach out let you know that L&M is looking for a new property manager. If you know anyone who might be interested, please feel free to forward along to colleagues or friends. Warm Regards, Casey

(4) Acknowledge a sport fan’s win: Nathan, congrats! I watched the game last night and saw that the Buckeyes pulled it off at the last minute, enjoy your bragging rights today. Roger

(5) Reference a run-in with a mutual friend: Elise, Eric and I saw Katherine today and she’s just come back from L.A. and sends her regards. Let’s try to all get together soon. Jodi

State Farm presents the 2009 NBMBAA Entrepreneurial City Tour

2009-08-17T16:13:00.009-04:00

National Black MBA Association knows that one key to the recovery is you. As the nation’s largest black professional organization, we are proud to partner with State Farm in presenting the National Black MBA Entrepreneurial Institute, our effort to educate and inspire today’s established and aspiring entrepreneur.

Upcoming cities:
Houston - August 22nd
Philadelphia - August 29th

This event is open to non-members!

FIVE MINUTES COULD MEAN $10,000
Compete in the Innovation WhiteBoard Challenge for a chance to win $10,000! Contestants get five minutes to pitch an idea, product concept or business idea to business leaders, entrepreneurs, and funders – with just a pen and whiteboard and your power to sell. - no PowerPoints, no interruptions!

START-UPS AND ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS
Jumpstart your dreams with the practical advice and direction you need to get up and running in today’s competitive environment:

Identify the best model and resources for you – from franchising, to partnerships or made-from-scratch
Study real life scenarios that entrepreneurs must consider before pursuing, or continuing a specific model
Identify the strengths and weaknesses you possess
Learn the differences between the certifying agencies and the pros and cons of being certified for black and female owners, and how to make it work for you without bias or complication

ESTABLISHED AND GROWTH TRACK BUSINESSES

Learn sales methods that help find the customer and keep them
Identify your most profitable customer profile
Understand the sales process
Get up to speed on venture capital financing, financing acquisitions, creative financing
Understand Stimulus program options
Learn where to find pools of capital and small business loans, how to attract the attention of angel investors and how to utilize creative capital-raising strategies
Address dilution, how much to raise and when, ownership versus wealth considerations and more

Registration links can be found on each cities page and on the registration page.

August Lunch and Learn Series

2009-08-17T12:21:00.003-04:00

Host: NBMBAA-Houston Chapter
Date: Friday, August 28, 2009
Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm
Location: Houston Area Urban League (Downtown)
1301 Texas Avenue (between Caroline St. and Austin St.)
Houston, TX 77002

Grab your lunch on the way and meet us Downtown
Free: Members
$5.00: Non-Members

RSVP: Houstonblackmba09@gmail.com

NSHMBA Happy Hour Minneapolis

2009-08-17T12:17:00.002-04:00

Host: NSHMBA Twin Cities (Saint Paul/Minneapolis) Minnesota
Date: Friday, August 28, 2009
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: Zathar Minneapolis (Inside the Grand Hotel)
615 2nd Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
Phone: 6127529595
Email: dalbornoz@laescuelita.org

Learn about the upcoming National Conference to be held in Minneapolis in October 2009.

Free admission
Complimentary appetizers
Welcome cocktail
Drink Specials

Enjoy a Happy Hour in style with fellow colleagues and professionals, and learn about the National NSHMBA conference to held in Minneapolis 2009 and the many opportunities for professionals, students, and allies to become part of this exiting event!

NSMBAA Annual Leadership Forum

2009-08-03T16:48:00.002-04:00

Building a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success withDan Schawbel-For more informaiton about Dan Schawebel, please visit www.danschawbel.com

Sponsored by Lowe’s Companies, Inc.-Follow us on Twitter @LowesRecruiting and Join the Lowe’s Facebook fan page: Lowe's/NBMBAA 2009 Conference-NOLAAdmission is free!

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Location: Johnson and Wales University; Hance Auditorium
Street: 801 W. Trade Street
City/Town: Charlotte, NC

Email:
www.nbmbaacharlotte.org

How important is business school accreditation?

2009-08-03T16:38:00.004-04:00

Finding the right business school out of a list that tops 8,000 internationally isn’t easy. For every MBA candidate there are numerous reasons for short-listing one school and not another. At QS topmba.com, the world’s leading website for MBA information , we encourage candidates to spend significant time thinking about their personal interests and limitations to ensure their chosen school is the right one for them. Not every school suits every candidate, no matter how high their GMAT score or how well-ranked the business school might be.
Accreditation is a process that business schools volunteer for in order to get public recognition they have achieved a certain standard of education. Most business schools are accredited to some level, so it is worth asking an unaccredited school why they haven’t chosen that route.
There are three international accreditation bodies. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), started as a body accrediting US and Canadian business schools, although it now accredits schools outside North America. The European Fund for Management Development (EFMD), has its accrediting body, EQUIS, which now accredits outside the European Union. Both accreditation bodies look at, and accredit, the school as a whole, taking in big picture issues such as resources, quality of faculty, and programs on offer.
Generally speaking EQUIS has a strong focus on business school diversity, largely as a result of its pan-European background. It also includes Executive MBA and part-time programs. For the AACSB, which accredits full-time MBAs, how a school uses its resources to bring it up to a top level is more important. The third body, the Association of MBAs (AMBA), based in the UK, accredits individual MBA programs rather than the school as a whole.
There are other accrediting bodies but these operate on a local level. The Central and East European Management Development Association (CEEMAN), for example, accredits business schools in the Central European region.
So how important is it for an MBA candidate to consider accredited programs above unaccredited ones? Nunzio Quacquarelli is managing director of the QS World MBA Tour. For the last 14 years, QS has taken top-level accredited business schools on tour to over 65 cities worldwide to meet MBA candidates. For Quacquarelli, accreditation is important, as long as the candidate’s expectations are realistic.
“Accreditation provides a threshold of standard for business schools,” he says. “The specific focus of each board is quite different so they are measuring different things. A candidate needs to understand what accreditation a school or program has received and why, before making their decision. It is important that a school is accredited either locally or internationally.”
Durham Business School in the UK, is one of only 34 international business schools, of which 29 regularly attend the QS World MBA Tour, to be triple-accredited by the AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. The school’s Dean, Rob Dixon, says attaining all three kitemarks takes a business school a great deal of commitment and hard work but it is something that many top MBA programs strive for, at significant cost and effort. “There is no doubt that the independent endorsement and credibility of an accreditation kitemark is a standard of excellence worth striving for,” Dixon says. “In today’s crowded MBA market it [accreditation] provides students with a useful benchmark and starting point when deciding which schools to consider. However, one of the most important points about any accreditation is that it demonstrates a real commitment to quality and a process of continuous improvement and development.”
Jerry Trapnell, chief accreditation officer from the AACSB, based in Florida, stresses that accrediting bodies are co-operative and not in competition with each other, due to their different philosophies and methodologies. “We have great respect for EQUIS accreditation and the schools that have earned it. EQUIS accreditation standards have a strong focus on how schools address internationalization among curricula, faculty, and students of the business school as well as relationships with corporations/businesses. AACSB clearly expects schools to prepare their graduates for work in the global economy and to seek appropriate input and counsel from various stakeholders to include employers, alumni, students, and faculty; however, we grant significant latitude on how this is accomplished.”

RPAA MBA Admissions Conference in LA

2009-07-17T17:43:00.002-04:00

Business School Applications are at an All-Time High Because the Economy is Down and People are Going Back to School…

We’ll Show You How to Beat Your Competition and Significantly Increase Your Chances of Getting in!

Sign-Up Today for the RPAA MBA Admissions Conference!

Saturday, August 1, 2009
@ UCLA Anderson
8:00am-5:30pm

What’s in it for you?

• Start creating personal relationships with Admissions Officers from over 20 top business schools across the nation that you want to get into including: Stanford, Harvard, and Wharton

• Workshops and panels with Admissions Officers focusing on how you can be a top candidate

• MBA roundtables led by Admissions Officers for you to get your questions answered in a more intimate setting so that you can be better prepared for the application and interview process. (Only 10 participants per table with an Admissions Officer!)

• Conference is limited to 200 attendees - Most MBA Conferences are held at convention centers where thousands of prospects are bombarding a handful of admissions officers!

Take Advantage of Early Registration Benefits!

• Get First Pick On Your Top Schools – Be the first one to sign up so that you can get a spot at the roundtables of these top schools before they fill up. (Assignments to MBA round table sessions are based on order of registration. Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton tables fill up quickly so the sooner you sign up, the more likely you are to sit at their tables)

• Special discount just for you! Enter discount code "MLT09" to save $10 off Standard Pricing of only $80! Rates go up on July 24th – Register now @ http://2009mac-MLT.eventbrite.com

Register Online Now!

Go to http://2009mac-MLT.eventbrite.com or visit http://www.riordanalumni.com/mac for more information

Please e-mail MAC@riordanalumni.com if you have any questions.

2009-07-08T15:04:00.001-04:00

B-school graduates are giving up on the job market and starting their own businesses instead. Funding is scarce, but schools are offering support
By Alison Damast

Lindsay Giovachino was feeling frustrated as she approached her business school graduation this past May at the University of Miami School of Business(Miami Full-Time MBA Profile). Like many of her classmates, she had cast a wide net in her job search, applying for management jobs in fields ranging from the nonprofit world to the music industry, with little luck. The final blow came when people started suggesting that Giovachino, an aspiring singer and songwriter who goes by the stage name Lucia, take an unpaid internship with a record company. "To hear that was like a nail in heart," Giovachino says. "I just spent all this money getting my MBA and I couldn't deal with starting at the very, very bottom."

Instead, she focused her energy on developing a business plan she'd written in her entrepreneurial class this winter, with the help of a friend who owns a Miami-based recording studio. By the time graduation rolled around, she had launched an independent record label, Burning Tongue Publishing Company, which she hopes will be a new model for promoting and distributing musicians' work. Family, friends and artists interested in recording and working with the company are helping her fund the project. Plans are already in the works for albums recorded by a Slovenian band and an Italian rock group, as well as Giovachino's debut CD.

"With this I'll be unpaid for a while, but at least at the end of the day I'll have something to show for it," she said.

Post-Grad Startups

Giovachino is not alone in her entrepreneurial ambitions. The new business bug has bitten both graduate and undergraduate business school students hard this year. Typically, only a handful start businesses after graduating, with most choosing to go the more conventional route by securing a full-time job offer. This year, the number of business students launching companies after graduation, or even while still in school, has skyrocketed. Business schools from Harvard Business School(Harvard Full-Time MBA Profile) to NYU's Stern School of Business(NYU Stern Full-Time MBA Profile) are reporting a surge of interest from students who have decided to strike out on their own.

The upsurge in entrepreneurship comes at what is in many ways the worst possible time. In the first quarter of 2009, venture capital activity plummeted to just $3 billion—a new 12-year low—according to a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Assn., raising the possibility that many student ideas might never proceed beyond the business plan stage, says Kip Harrell, president of the MBA Career Services Council, an umbrella group for MBA career services officers: "Students recognize how bad the economy is and how hard getting capital is."

In response, schools are ramping up the support they offer to aspiring entrepreneurs, creating summer business incubators, launching new curriculums in the subject, and giving them additional counseling on how to start a business in challenging economic times.

NSHMBA & AXA Summer Networking Event

2009-07-08T11:32:00.002-04:00

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2009

Time: 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Place: AXA Advisors (Brewery Park - Crain Communications Building)
1155 Gratiot Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48207

Event Description:

The Detroit Chapter of NSHMBA, in a joint effort with the Detroit chapter of ALPFA, Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, is pleased to announce its summer networking event sponsored by AXA Advisors. We have prepared a wonderful evening you don't want to miss. The AXA team, led by Tim, Laurie, and Nick, will provide valuable knowledge on some of the most important things in our life, your career and your wealth. The NSHMBA Detroit Board looks forward to seeing you at this great event where you will have the opportunity to meet colleagues from ALPFA and expand you networking in an energetic atmosphere. Please RSVP today and extend this invitation to a colleague. Te esperamos! Camilo Suero, NSHMBA Detroit President.

Cost: no cost

Contact: Nick Phillips, AXA Advisors, (248) 641-2652

Forte Women MBA Events

2009-06-15T10:30:00.002-04:00

2009 Forté MBA Women's Conference
June 26-27

Reinvent. Reinvest. Realize.

The Forté Foundation’s annual MBA Women’s Conference provides the inspiration you need to meet today’s challenges with a broad perspective and renewed vigor. Arm yourself with valuable contacts, fresh insights and new knowledge that will enable you to find hidden opportunities and embrace change. With an international membership that includes progressive companies, world-class business schools and exceptional women leaders, Forté is the only organization poised to support women as they reach for their career goals.

Who Can Attend: Forté Fellows and MBA women that are attending Forté sponsor schools (in the 2009, 2010, and 2011 classes).

Registration Fee: $50 before June 5. The fee will increase to $75 after June 5.

Location: NYU Kimmel Center, New York City

Learn more and register at: http://www.fortefoundation.org/mbaconf

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2009 Forté Financial Services FAST Track Conference
June 25-26

Interested in a career in financial services? Get on the fast track and gain valuable insight into this high-performance profession.

This exclusive event for incoming MBA women interested in finance will take an in-depth look at the cross-functional views of finance and put you in touch with senior-level professionals.

Who Can Attend: Forté Fellows and MBA women that are attending Forté sponsor schools (in the 2011 class).

Registration Fee: Complimentary. Please note: Participants will be given a stipend (maximum of $200) to help cover travel, lodging, and food expenses.

Location: NYU Kimmel Center, New York City

Learn more and register at: http://www.fortefoundation.org/fsft

Recession survival guide: Harsh welcome to real world

2009-04-14T16:51:00.001-04:00

Recession survival guide: Harsh welcome to real world

By Mary Ellen Podmolik

CHICAGO - The Class of 2009 may be cursing the economy, but they can't let it distract them from their job search

Suzanne Block isn't basking in the insulating embrace of college as she waits the eight weeks until her May 9 graduation from Lake Forest College.

When she's not in class or studying, she's scanning online job sites, sending out resumes and cold-calling potential employers, anything that might get the frustrated 21year-old a job.

"Damn me for being born in '87," said the English and communications major. "This is just a nightmare. There could not be a worse time to be looking for a job."

After college seniors enjoy their last spring break this month, they'll return to campus for the final weeks of academia before they enter a recession-weary real world with an 8.1 percent unemployment rate. The first job search is always daunting but particularly so for the estimated 1.5 million-strong Class of 2009.

In August, employers surveyed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers said they planned to increase hiring of college graduates by 6 percent over last year. By October, the revised projection was a 1.3 percent increase in hiring. Then the hiring expectations were flat. Last month's updated survey showed a staggering change of heart, with employers reporting they planned to hire nearly 22 percent fewer college graduates than they did from the Class of 2008.

Some seniors do have jobs waiting for them; others accepted offers in the fall, only to have them rescinded. Some are hoping to wait out the recession by heading to graduate school - a questionable strategy if it's not for the right reasons - or are looking at service programs that are inundated with applications. And others are career guidance office regulars looking for assistance.

However, there are worries on college campuses that many seniors either are throwing up their arms and giving up or are so focused on their last semester and confident in their abilities they wrongly figure they'll easily land a job after graduation.

"The marketplace is going to continue to get worse," said Phil Gardner, director of Michigan State University's Collegiate Employment Research Institute. "You have to be resilient. It's not all going to work out the way you want it to. You're going to be underemployed and not valued as much as you think. But you want to position yourself and keep your sights on where you want to go."

In other words, don't let a bad economy distract you from a good job search that needs to start now. The workplace may not need as many college graduates as it once did, but the need for the qualities they bring remains, career counselors say.

"There's something great about a fresh college graduate," said Gillian Steele, managing director of DePaul University's career center. "They're up to date with the latest stuff, they're full of energy. They come moldable and they come with a more reasonable cost as well."

And despite the headlines, there are jobs to be filled.

"There's a mind-set that there aren't jobs," said Lois Meerdink, director of business career services at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign. "There are, but there are fewer positions, so (students) have to work much harder and outwork their competition." Here's how:

- Use the services of college career centers, which continue to hear from employers that want to visit campus to meet students regardless of whether they have immediate job openings. Career offices also are adding programs to help students deal with today's economic realities.

For instance, DePaul for the first time is putting on a special career fair after graduation for non-traditional employers, service organizations and temporary help firms.

- Broaden your search parameters. Look beyond the big firms to smaller employers. Look at other industries where your knowledge base could be applied. Expand your search geographically and realize that while it may be your dream to work in the Loop and live near Wrigley Field, that dream may have to be placed on the back burner for a few years.

Jennifer Waxler, a finance major at U. of I., envisioned a career in corporate finance, banking or consulting and even had a few second interviews. But as the larger banks' hiring plans have been scuttled, she's now looking at smaller banks. After graduation, she may move back to her family's Palatine home and try to find a job as a bank teller, to get her foot in the door somewhere.

"Once I have a job, I'll appreciate it more," Waxler said. "I'll have worked hard to get it. I never thought the economy would affect me so directly. I thought by going to college and getting a degree in business from the U. of I., I'd be set."

- Take every opportunity to make a connection, whether it's by meeting the parents of a friend or by doing an information interview with a company that you're interested in but has no openings.

"If someone says they have a hiring freeze, I (tell students), 'Forget that,' " DePaul's Steele said. "Stay connected. A hiring freeze can come off as soon as it comes on. If you're the one who's stayed in touch, you've got a huge advantage over someone else. It's positioning yourself without doing the big sales job."

Andreas Gloor, a Benedictine University senior who'll receive finance and accounting degrees in May, has sought out the wisdom of recruiters on and off campus, talked with teachers, gone on informational interviews and even had a human-resources professor and her class critique his rsum.

"I am talking to anyone that will listen," said Gloor, who thinks he ultimately will wind up attending graduate school at DePaul in the fall.

- Consider service organizations as a way to develop skills and expand your network of potential contacts. But be aware the paying jobs can be just as tough to get as those with a traditional employer.

Applications for the Peace Corps are up 16 percent this year, compared with 2008. Meanwhile, Teach for America, a program that places teachers in inner-city schools for two years, has received a record 35,000-plus applications, a 42 percent gain over last year. Last year, of the then-record 25,000 applications, 3,700 received teaching positions.

Jackson Froliklong, 21, a Northwestern University senior, is among the lucky ones accepted by Teach for America, and he knows it. The Cleveland native, who's receiving degrees in social policy and political science, applied to the program in early fall and was accepted in November. He'll start teaching in a Chicago public school in August.

"I found out right as the bottom was falling out, right after Lehman (Brothers) collapsed," he said. "I was fortunate to lock something up before things turned sour."

- Be ready to move to Plan B: doing something else. Experts say the worst strategy is to try to wait out the recession, because that shows a lack of energy and interest in your career.

This may be, career counselors say, the only time when you can get away with working a minimum-wage job that has little to do with your degree.

Why? Because everyone knows what the economy is like, and managers want to know that graduates are doing something with their time rather than work on their tans or Xbox acumen.

- Take responsibility for yourself and realize the skills you're learning from the job search process itself.

"Our culture of excess created this generation," said Lindsey Pollak, author of "Getting From College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World." "You hear the terms 'entitled' and 'coddled.' The economy is going to slap that out of them pretty quick. If this economy teaches them to be humbled and hardworking, it's teaching them what their parents and professors can't."

Goldman Sachs Scholar Program

2009-04-08T11:58:00.003-04:00

Please click on the picture to find out further information.

Goldman Sachs Women's Leadership Camp

2009-04-08T11:38:00.001-04:00

Please click on the picture to find out more.

Goldman Sachs Undergraduate Camp

2009-04-02T14:56:00.003-04:00

Please click on picture below for further information.

LOFT Internship Opportunities

2009-03-10T11:57:00.003-04:00

LOFT Opportunities

LOFT offers unique opportunities to members seeking to start their professional career and get ahead. The following are current openings. In order to apply, please follow the instructions listed on each link. Must be a LOFT member to apply.

2009 INTERNSHIPS

The Hershey Company

One of the largest North American manufacturers offers students the opportunity to explore careers in food technology, information technology,voice and data networking technologies and more.

For details about The Hershey Company's internship positions, see the document below.

Hormel Foods Corporation

Hormel Foods Corporation is a Fortune 500 multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food industry. Interns will gain real world experience by performing the duties of their full-time counterparts.

For details about Hormel Foods Internship positions, see the document below.

Summer Associates Program

Chase Card Services Summer Associates Program is an internship program with two tracks: Marketing and Analytics. The goal is to recruit, retain and develop a diverse group of high caliber resources for junior level roles. The Summer Associates Program will run June 1 - August 7 in Wilmington, DE and will include challenging work assignments, training, networking events and community involvement.

For more information, see the document posted below as "Summer Associates Program".

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Fall 2009 Internship: Washington, DC

To be posted at a later time.

FELLOWSHIPS

LOFT Fellows

ExxonMobil looks to nurture motivated sophomores, juniors and seniors across the country, with a passion for Engineering and Science.

LOFT Fellows is an opportunity for selected students to be exposed to a top quality company by participating in their world class mentoring program. Each student will be paired up with one of ExxonMobil engineers/scientists to learn how their knowledge is applied in a corporate setting.

Open to students pursuing majors in: Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Materials Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology, Material Sciences. Interested candidates must send their application and additional documents to loft@hispanicheritage.org by March 16.

See application below.

Launching Leaders Experience - JP Morgan Chase [College Freshmen]

2009-03-09T10:45:00.005-04:00

This event is an expenses-paid visit to our global headquarters in New York that gives students the opportunity to get an inside look at our Investment Bank. They will have the opportunity to explore the world of Investment Banking, Sales & Trading and Research through job-shadows, hands-on training sessions and networking with our top people.

The event is open to top Black, Hispanic and Native American freshmen from any major. Students will need a genuine and deep-rooted interest in investment banking, sales, trading or research, plus a minimum 3.5 GPA. Please view the attached flyer and share with students who may be interested.

Applications are due March 15, 2009. For more information on how to apply, students should visit the Launching Leaders Experience page on jpmorgan.com/launchingleaders

Naive Networking by Jeff Sandefer (Acton Foundation for Entrepreneurial Excellence)

2009-03-02T12:55:00.003-05:00

Time Can Spoil a First Impression
The Call Entrepreneurs Dread

“Hi, my name is Tom Matthews. Bob Smith suggested we meet. Is there any time in the
next six weeks we could get together for lunch?”
“Can we have lunch, just to get to know each other better?”
You have no idea how much busy entrepreneurs hate to hear these words. Despite
knowing that the meeting almost certainly is a waste of time, common courtesy to the
caller and “Bob Smith” means the entrepreneur has little choice but to squeeze something
else into his eighty hour work week, meaning that work, family or charitable duties must
suffer.

Finally, it’s the day of the meeting. Thankfully, the entrepreneur’s assistant has managed
to convert the lunch to a short meeting.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“So how do you know Bob?”
“We met a few weeks ago, and your name came up.”
Another ten minutes are wasted on empty pleasantries, like the weather and the latest
sports scores. Finally the moment comes.
“So what can I do to help?”
“Well, I’m not sure. I’m just trying to network with as many people as possible. I’m
thinking about changing careers.” (Heavy sigh from the entrepreneur.)
“So what kind of job would interest you?”
“Well, I’m not sure. Something that’s really exciting and pays well. I’m really open to
anything.” (Another heavy sigh.)

Then, if you are really unlucky, the guest begins to recount, in agonizing detail, his life
story. This takes another fifteen minutes. Time moves slowly. Very slowly. Finally, the
meeting is over. Another half hour wasted.
What’s wrong with this picture?
So what went wrong? Is the entrepreneur unsociable? Selfish? No, not at all. Even the
most charitable person wants to know – what’s in it for me? Even if “what’s in it for me”
is the joy of helping someone else.

Basically, as an entrepreneur with a family and obligations to my community and church,
every minute of every day is already taken. That means there’s an opportunity cost for
every new task accepted. If you waste my time because you haven’t thought about your
own goals, you are telling me that, at best, you are naïve; at worst, self absorbed. Not
exactly the best first impression.

It is a waste of time to use personal interviews to learn about an industry or decide what
you should do with your life. A stranger or casual acquaintance doesn’t know you well
enough to give you personal career advice and general career advice isn’t very valuable.
If you want to learn more about an industry, it’s more efficient and effective to read about
the industry first and then interview front line workers—not bother a CEO with general
questions.

Save interviews and interactions with busy entrepreneurs until you know exactly what
you need. Someone who can help you naturally becomes your mentor, so make it as easy
as possible for them to help by having a specific request.

But, But, But……
“But don’t entrepreneurs want to make new friends?” Sure, but at their own choosing,
not as a social obligation because it’s rude to refuse to see you. Sometimes random
meetings do lead to long lasting friendships, but the odds are against it.

“But I just need someone to listen to me.” Sorry, that’s not an entrepreneur’s
responsibility. That’s the job of a spouse, friend or counselor.

“But I need to learn more about your industry.” Fine. Read a book. I’ll even send you a
list of books by e-mail. Surf the internet. Talk to salespeople and operators. I can’t tell
you enough about my industry in thirty minutes to do you much good. You need to do
hours and hours of reading to even scratch the surface.

“But I’d like to meet influential people.” So would I. That doesn’t mean they want to
meet me.

“But I’m really talented and wonderful.” I’m sure you are. Now do something to prove
it. Like doing your homework before you burden busy people with meaningless
interviews.

It’s Not about You
“Can you introduce me to Michael Dell? I’d like to ask him some questions about the
computer industry.”

Amazingly enough, just last year an incoming student made this request. He never
stopped to ask whether Michael Dell would have any interest in meeting him. Or what
Michael would have to push aside to make time for such a meeting. He never stopped to
consider how much personal capital it would take me to set up such a meeting or what the
cost would be to me if he wasted Michael’s time.

The first rule of “networking”—by the way, I hate that word – is that you must put
yourself in the shoes of the other person. Why would they want to meet you? How can
they help with the least possible expenditure of time or effort? How can you make such
an encounter enjoyable for the other person?

If you cannot recast your idea of networking: “Here’s what I need;” into one of humble
service: “I’ve got something to give to the world, and with just a little help from you I
can make my dream a reality;” you shouldn’t expect to get far. Bottom line: You cannot
expect the world to revolve around you and what you need.

Some Suggestions
The suggestions below will help you get the most out of personal interviews:

1. Do your personal soul searching and industry homework first.
Take a personal inventory. Take aptitude tests. Ask those who know you well what
you do better than most. Do whatever it takes to narrow your search to a few
industries. Read about these industries and the leading companies and people.
Personal interviews with teachers, entrepreneurs and executives should not be used to
narrow your search or learn about jobs or industries. A stranger or casual acquaintance
doesn’t know you well enough to map out your career. This is a very inefficient use of
a busy person’s time.

2. Be specific about what you need. Make sure the other person understands how a
little effort on their part can make a big difference in your life.

Be clear about what you want. People are more likely to help you if they understand
what you need, why it matters and how they can help with a minimum of time and
effort. If you can’t explain this in a few sentences, you don’t need a meeting.

3. Always put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
Whenever you contact anyone, stop and put yourself in their shoes. Why would they
want to talk with you? How can you make it easy on them? How can you demonstrate
that talking with you would be entertaining or educational? At the very least, be
humble and appreciative.

4. Make it easy.
Never ask for a lunch if a short meeting will do. Never ask for a meeting if a phone call
will suffice. Never ask for a phone call if an e-mail will get the job done.

5. Don’t pester.
If the other person isn’t interested, back off. Ask if there’s someone else they suggest
you could talk with or something they suggest you read. Perseverance is a great
character trait if you are pursuing a worthy goal, but an empty meeting is not a worthy
goal.

6. Start at the bottom.
Once you have narrowed the list of industries, make your first contacts with people who
are helping serve real customers. Look for people who have recently joined the
company. These are the people who can tell you the most about what your experience
will be like with a company or within an industry. You can learn about an industry’s
history by reading biographies of industry pioneers.

7. Show up prepared.
If you do need a phone call or meeting, be prepared. Make sure you have read all the
important books about the industry and the biographies about its pioneers in advance.
Thoroughly research the company and the individual with whom you meet.

8. Send a list of questions in advance.
A short list of questions help set the agenda and show that you’ve done your
homework. Sending your questions in advance makes the most of a short meeting.

9. Ask questions.
Your goal in a face to face meeting is to establish a relationship. Use your time in a
personal interview to learn about the other person. How did they get to where they are
today? What mistakes have they made? What do they cherish or regret? Once you
understand the other person, and they believe you are sincere and dedicated to their
industry, and perhaps following in their same path, they are more likely to see you as a
younger version of themselves and are more likely to want to help.

10. Give something unexpected in return.
What can you give in return? Does the entrepreneur have a favorite charity where you
can volunteer? Is there some other way you can give them an unexpected gift? Will
you at least pledge to help someone like yourself in the future? Being willing to give
of yourself without being asked is a sign of maturity and character.

Busy entrepreneurs make up to several million dollars each year. That means an hour
of his or her time is worth a thousand dollars or so, and a marginal hour of time is
worth much more. At an MBA salary, an hour of your time is worth $50 or so,
meaning that you should be willing to volunteer ten hours of your time in return for a
half hour meeting. Sound too expensive? Then you really don’t need the meeting.

11. Be nice to the gatekeepers too.
Remember, executive assistants run most companies. They can be your most valuable
source of information about a company or an entrepreneur. See them as a resource, not
a barrier.

12. Follow up
Always, always, always write a handwritten thank you note. Let the entrepreneur
know how their advice or recommendation helped. Show them your gratitude by
offering something unexpected.

Summary
Entrepreneurs are busy. Every moment of their time already is committed. People who
use social contrivances or relationships to gain access for meaningless meetings take time away from more important tasks.

If you want to learn about an industry, read books or surf the internet for information.
Interview line personnel who have more time and can give you a perspective on what
working in an industry at an entry level is like. Save face to face meetings with
entrepreneurs for that rare moment when there is something specific they can do, at a
very low cost in time and effort, that will make a big difference to your life.
Valuing time like this may seem crass, but the economics are revealing.

Above all, remember that it’s not about you. People will help you if they sense that you
are on an important mission to help others and have the character and drive to make a
difference. You can demonstrate this by doing your homework up front, and always
putting yourself in the shoes of the other person.

Free Graduate School at Wake Forest

2009-02-25T18:46:00.004-05:00

The Master of Art in Management program is designed specifically for liberal arts majors only. The MA degree program is a 10 month intense study of the basic functional areas of business. After graduation and working for approximately two years, all MA graduates are eligible to apply to Wake Forest as part of the MA/MBA joint degree program and get the MBA in one year. The new Dean, Steve Reinemund, has created a new scholarship for diverse students pursuing the MA degree called the Corporate Fellowship.

The Corporate Fellowship provides full tuition and a $21,000 stipend to cover living expenses. Additionally, each Corporate Fellow will participate in a practicum. The practicum has two components, educational and professional development. Each student will be assigned a mentor that is a high level executive with their sponsor corporation. The mentor will oversee an educational project covering 4 of the functional areas of business using their own corporation as the subject. The student will visit the corporation 3 - 4 times during the program to present his/her results of their research project. Additionally, the "professional development" component of the fellowship provides career coaching and leadership development for the students.

The goal for the corporation is to be able to groom and hopefully, hire a top candidate from a diverse background for their organization. Of course, there is no obligation that the students accept any offer of employment. Still, the student benefits, even if they are not ultimately hired by their sponsor corporation in that they have the MA degree and the type of experience that will make them more marketable.

Contact Debra Jessup at 336.399.5403 or debra.jessup@mba.wfu.edu.

New York Times : A Cover Letter is not Expendable

2009-02-19T15:59:00.002-05:00

Career Couch
New York Times

A Cover Letter Is Not Expendable

By PHYLLIS KORKKI

Q. You are getting ready to apply for a job electronically, and your résumé is ready to go. Do you need to prepare a cover letter? Are they necessary in this day and age?

A. Cover letters are still necessary, and in a competitive market they can give you a serious edge if they are written and presented effectively.

Cover letters are a graceful way to introduce yourself, to convey your personality and to impress a hiring manager with your experience and your writing skills, said Katy Piotrowski, an author of career books and a career counselor based in Fort Collins, Colo. You can also tailor them to a specific company in ways that you cannot with a résumé.

Ms. Piotrowski recently had a job opening at her small company, Career Solutions Group, and she was dismayed when about a quarter of the 200 applicants did not send cover letters. Most were within five years of graduating from college, she said, reflecting a more informal mind-set among younger people.

Q. How should your cover letter be organized, how long should it be, and what should it say?

A. First, do your best to find the decision maker’s name, and use it in the salutation. If you are applying to a blind ad, say “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To the Hiring Manager.” Ms. Piotrowski said she received cover letters that had no salutation at all or began with “Hey there” — not a strong start. If you want to be on the safe side, use a colon after the salutation, although some people now feel it is permissible to use a comma in an e-mail message.

Your cover letter should be short — generally no longer than three or four paragraphs, said Debra Wheatman, a career expert at Vault, a jobs Web site.

In your first paragraph, explain why you are writing — it may be that you are answering an ad, that you were referred to the company through networking, or that you learned that the company is expanding, said Wendy S. Enelow, author of “Cover Letter Magic” and a professional résumé writer in Virginia.

In the middle paragraphs, explain why you are good candidate, and show that you are knowledgeable about the company. Then convey a clear story about your career, and highlight specific past achievements. This can either be done as a narrative or in bullet points, Ms. Enelow said.

You can also highlight qualities you possess that may not fit the confines of a résumé, Ms. Wheatman said.

She once worked in human resources at Martha Stewart Living, and recalls reviewing applications for a chef in a test kitchen. One woman had a career in manufacturing, but her cover letter described how she had grown up in a family that was passionate about cooking and where she had frequently made meals from scratch. The woman got the job despite her peripheral work experience.

Finish your letter by indicating that you will follow up in the near future (and make good on that promise). Sign off with a “Sincerely,” “Cordially,” “Thank you for your consideration” or similar closer, followed by your name and, if you like, your e-mail address.

Q. Where should your cover letter appear, in an e-mail or in an attachment?

A. You can include your letter in the actual text of your e-mail message or place it above your résumé in an attachment. If you put it in a separate attachment from your résumé, you run the risk that a harried hiring manager will not click on it at all. If you place it in the text of your e-mail message, it should generally be shorter than if you use an attachment, Ms. Enelow said.

Then, if you really want to make an impression, make a hard copy of your cover letter and résumé and send it to the hiring manager by regular mail. Attach a handwritten note that says, “Second submission; I’m very interested,” Ms. Piotrowski said. “I’ve had clients double their rate of interviews simply from doing that,” she said.

Ms. Enelow calls this “double-hitting,” and says she has seen it work remarkably well. She said a senior-level client of hers got an interview and was hired because the hard copy of his cover letter and résumé reached the company president, whereas his electronic application was rejected by someone in human resources because it did not meet certain rigid criteria.

Q. What are some common mistakes in cover letters?

A. A cover letter with typos, misspellings and poor sentence structure may take you out of the running for a job. If you cannot afford to pay someone to review your cover letter and résumé, enlist a friend or a family member with good language skills to do it instead.

Another misguided thing people do is to make the cover letter all about them: “I did this, I’m looking for, I want to ... I, I, I.” Structure your letter so that it stresses the company and what you can do to help it reach its goals, Ms. Piotrowski and others said.

Another danger is including too much information — for example, very specific salary or geographic requirements, Ms. Enelow said. It is also unwise to point out that you do not meet all the criteria in the job description, she said. You can deal with that later, if you get an interview.

Hiring managers are looking for ways to exclude you as they narrow down their applications, she said. Do not give them that ammunition.

GMAT Tips from Akil Bello

2009-02-09T13:39:00.004-05:00

So you started preparing for the GMAT and you are wondering, “What is a good score?” While there is no simple answer to the question of what a “good score” is, here are two ways to evaluate your GMAT score and assess how much preparation you should do (or if you have taken the test already, whether you should apply with the score you have).

Personal Best Effort

Your personal best effort means that you have done all that you can do to achieve your highest possible score. Defining your best effort can be tricky, but you must consider whether you have invested all the resources at your disposal to help you achieve your score. You will have to look critically at what you have done in preparation for the GMAT and what you could have done. You have to consider what you have invested (not just financially but also mentally) in preparing for the test and whether that is all you could have invested.

The chart below shows the correlation between time invested preparing for the test and GMAT score. Over a period of 6 – 10 weeks this would mean investing no less than 10 hours per week working on the improvement of your GMAT score. Assessing whether you have given your personal best effort requires that you ask yourself, at the very least, the following questions:

1. Have I done all the homework and attended all the classes that were in the syllabus?
2. Have I taken all the practice tests that were recommended?
3. Have I evaluated my results and identified specific areas to improve?
4. Have I made my best effort to learn and implement the approaches described?
5. Have I sought out additional help (tutoring, extra classes, email or other online support)?
6. Have I allowed myself enough time to learn, digest, review, and practice the things I was taught?

If you know you did not prepare as well as you should have, then it makes sense to continue to prepare and to take the test again. However, if you know you have put in all the time, money, and mental energy you could into preparing and achieved a score that reflected your best effort, then you should put the GMAT aside and work on improving the other areas of your application.

School Range

Given that the GMAT's only purpose is to help admissions committees (adcom) evaluate candidates for admission, a “good” score can also logically be defined as the score that doesn’t eliminate you from consideration at the school you want to go to. A high score is generally thought to indicate that a candidate possesses the quantitative, analytical, and verbal skills needed for the academic rigor of typical MBA programs. Submitting a score that does not force the adcom to question whether you can handle the work at their school will demonstrate that you are serious about applying to the school and have done your due diligence on the program. When asking yourself if your GMAT score is a “good” score, you should know the range of scores for admitted students at the school you are targeting. For example, consider the table below, which contains several of the top 30 business schools in the country.If you had a GMAT score of 680 and applied to Stanford, which has a mean GMAT of 720, you would still have a "good shot" at admission, since you would fall within the range of applicants. If you were to apply to Kelley, your GMAT score would place you above the mean but would not necessarily make you a better candidate for Kelley than for Stanford. At both schools your appeal to the adcoms will be based more on your other criteria than on your GMAT since your GMAT would be in the acceptable range. Your goal should be to get a GMAT score that makes the GMAT fundamentally irrelevant in your admissions decision (which means that it does not raise questions about your ability to handle the work). If your GMAT score is within the range of the school you would like to go to, then you probably have a “good” score.

Understanding what is needed and setting realistic goals will allow you to make more informed decisions about your continued preparation for the GMAT or whether it is time to move on to the other components of your application. No matter what, you must realize that getting a good GMAT score generally requires a significant commitment of time, energy, and money. This is especially true for those who are starting significantly below the mean score of 535. You should be ready to invest all that you can in your GMAT score and business school future.

Add Career Prep As a Facebook Friend

2009-02-03T09:45:00.001-05:00

Women for Hire

2009-01-28T10:10:00.000-05:00

Founded in 1999 as the first and only company devoted to a comprehensive array of recruitment services for women, Women For Hire offers signature career expos, inspiring speeches and seminars, a popular career-focused magazine, customized marketing programs, and an online job board that helps leading employers connect with top-notch professional women in all fields.

The company’s core business is producing the nation’s only high caliber career expos, thus enabling America's top employers to meet one-on-one with a coveted pool of talented women in all disciplines. These events pair recruiters from a mix of Fortune 500 companies, medium-sized businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies with women in a wide range of disciplines.

Since our inception, Women For Hire has been recognized as a groundbreaking expert at connecting employers with the brightest group of diverse career women, as well as providing those women with exceptional advice on advancement. The company specializes in developing customized programs to meet the diversity recruitment goals of employers in every industry.

Spring 2009 Career ExpoSchedule:

Washington, DC: February 19

New York: February 24

Dallas: March 5

Boston: March 19

Atlanta: March 31

Chicago: April 2

Los Angeles: April 14

Credit Suisse BA Explorer Program

2009-01-15T12:36:00.011-05:00

Credit Suisse BA Explorer Program

Have you ever considered a career on Wall Street? Are you curious about what a career on Wall Street entails or where it can lead you?

The Credit Suisse BA Explorer Program helps provide answers to these questions and guidance in making these decisions. The program is designed to offer traditionally underrepresented students of African American, Hispanic/Latino, or Native American descent the opportunity to see what a career on Wall St. can offer.

1. ■ Three days in New York — all expenses paid (June 2–4)

2. ■ For 1st and 2nd year traditionally underrepresented undergraduate students of African American, Hispanic/Latino, or Native American descent

3. ■ Get an inside view of the financial services industry including Investment Banking, Sales and Trading, Research, Private Equity, Capital Markets, Shared Services, Operations and Information Technology

4. ■ Gain a new perspective on career opportunities

5. ■ Competitive admission process

6. ■ Application deadline — Friday, February 13, 2009

Come explore Credit Suisse and you may discover that a job on Wall Street is exactly what you were looking for.

To apply please click on the link below:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB228PGXU3L34

Students from the following institutions can apply:

Columbia University
Cornell University
Dartmouth College
Duke University
Fordham University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Howard University
Indiana University
New York University
Princeton University
Stanford University
Stony Brook University
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Chicago
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Pennsylvania
University of Texas, Austin
Wellesley College
Yale University

Complimentary Career Consultation (Columbia Students only)

2009-01-15T11:19:00.005-05:00

Do you think you have the key skills necessary to successfully attain a career in the industry of your choice? Nominate yourself for a complimentary personal counseling session provided by MLT at your college campus. This session is a preview of the services you will receive if you become a Career Prep fellow.
(Eligibility requirements: African American, Native American and/or Hispanic students in the class of 2011.)

Personal Counseling Session includes the following:
· Career readiness checklist- Overview of small but significant steps you can take now to prepare for the career of your dreams
· Elevator pitch- Assistance articulating your personal “brand” to a potential employer
· Resume review- Feedback on resume structure and content

About Career PrepThe MLT Career Preparation Program's mission is to prepare high-achieving minority college juniors and seniors for success in leading entry-level business-related jobs. These positions often lead to admission to top MBA programs and positions of influence in business and the community. This exploratory program exposes students to wide array of career opportunities in various industries and helps students develop key skills that are necessary to succeed in any career they pursue.

Our fellowship offers:
Professional 1-on-1 coaching every month throughout the introspective, internship search, and job conversion processes
4 leadership development weekends co-developed with corporate partners focused on skill-development and immersions
Access to job opportunities through corporate partner- led workshops and exclusive interviewing

Our Results
97% Summer internship placement rate
90+% Full-time offer rate

Nominations accepted here: http://www.ml4t.org/careerreadiness/columbia

Applications are currently being accepted!
First Deadline- February 28th
Second Deadline- April 15th

Tech Interns needed for Fashion Company

2009-01-15T10:55:00.003-05:00

Gilt Groupe Evening Presentation at Columbia
January 28, 2009 from 7:00pm to 8:30 pm

The Broadway Room – Lerner Hall

2920 Broadway – New York, NY – 10027

Please join Gilt Groupe for an overview of online retail ecommerce, our innovative technology, and the remarkable success that the company is experiencing. The presentation will provide you with information about our employment opportunities and a chance to speak with representatives from Gilt. The presentation will take place on Wednesday January 28, 2009 at 7pm in the Broadway Room of Lerner Hall.
Gilt Groupe provides invitation-only access to high-end fashion and luxury brands at highly discounted prices. The company currently works with a roster of nearly 200 up-and-coming and established brands in the women's, men's, children's, and home fashion categories.

As an employee of Gilt Groupe, the luxury fashion online retailer in New York City, you'll join an elite development team and take digital merchandising to the next level. Your work here involves not just our website, but all the key back-end business functions that run our business, including purchasing, receiving, inventory management, shipping and customer intelligence. In our rapid software development environment, you'll see the meaningful results of your work quickly, sometimes within days. And we offer an honest and open environment, highly receptive to your ideas, highlighted by weekly offsite hackfests. Our company is growing rapidly and we’re looking for a few very talented, highly qualified engineers to help us stay ahead of the growth.

Refreshments will be served.We invite all Computer Science (freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate, PhD) students to attend. Please visit www.gilt.com/company/careers for additional information.

MLT Career Prep Program - Apply Now!

2009-01-13T10:54:00.020-05:00

Sophomores:

Program Components:

Career Prep is a FREE comprehensive 12-month experience during your junior year.

What We Look For:

»Current Sophomores in the Class of 2011

»Under-represented minorities of any of the following groups: Black/African, Latin, and/or Native American

»Achievement in and outside of the classroom

»Candidates from all academic disciplines

For more information visit:

www.ml4t.org/careerprep

ALPFA Scholarship Program

2009-01-12T12:00:00.007-05:00

The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) offers scholarships to students, in the US or Puerto Rico, who are pursuing studies in Accounting, Finance, or Business related fields. The purpose of these scholarships is to encourage those students who have demonstrated academic excellence to continue pursuing their professional careers.

Over the past 3 years, ALPFA has awarded students over $457,000 in scholarship money.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 15th, 2009

Total Scholarship Funds: $150,000
Average ALPFA Scholarship Award: $1250-1500
* Limited scholarship awards for top candidates up to $10,000
Please note that the top 50 students selected will be invited to attend ALPFA’s National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts (August 8-12, 2009) with all expenses paid for - convention registration, airfare, and lodging .

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
• Must be Hispanic or of Hispanic descent
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident residing in the United States or Puerto Rico
• Must be studying at an accredited university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico for the 2009-2010 academic year
• Must be currently enrolled full-time at a¬ four-year university/college
or at a community college with intent to transfer to a four-year university/college for the 2009-2010 academic year
• Must be pursuing an undergraduate or master's degree in business, finance or accounting
• Must have earned and maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of no less than
3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Student must demonstrate financial need For more information on how to apply, please visit the Hispanic College Fund’s website. CLICK HERE*
*Click on Scholarships -- Apply Now -- Follow the link to the ALPFA online application.
HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Contact the Hispanic College Fund by calling
1-800-644-4223 or sending an email to
HCF-Info@hispanicfund.org

Contact ALPFA by calling Geraldine Contreras 213-243-0004 or visiting www.alpfa.org

MBA 1st-Year Marketing Interrnship: Procter & Gamble

2009-01-12T11:23:00.006-05:00

Would you like an opportunity to have an internship position in marketing at Procter & Gamble? Will you be entering your 1st year of business school and graduating in 2011?

We, at Procter and Gamble, would like to encourage you to participate in our 2009 Procter & Gamble Marketing Graduate Summer Camp Program to be held July 26th - 31st, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

This program is specially designed to attract top-tiered MBA minority students and other students entering their first year of business school (and graduating in 2011), who desire a career in Marketing.

What Is P&G's MBA Marketing Summer Camp?
It's a six-day, action-packed look at marketing opportunities at Procter & Gamble designed for students entering MBA programs in the fall. You'll have the opportunity to preview the key roles you could play in Marketing at P&G after completing your MBA.

What Will I Learn?
Through interacting with key Procter & Gamble executives at various levels, as well as with recent MBA graduates who work for the company, you'll:

Get a total perspective of the career opportunities at P&G.
Learn how to get the most out of your MBA experience.
Have the chance to speak candidly with managers on the "ins and outs" of Business School and "Corporate America."

All of this is designed to help you get your MBA career off on the right foot.

Why Procter & Gamble's Summer Camp?
The interaction you'll have with key P&G executives will give you unique preparation for Business School. Camp is also your chance to experience the real-life projects and situations you could be handling upon completion of your MBA. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to learn from Marketing Managers who were once in your shoes.

If you are selected for the Marketing MBA 2009 Summer Camp, you'll:

Participate in case studies demonstrating how the skills and methods developed in Business School can be leveraged into high performance-and high potential careers.
Discuss expectations and perspectives with managers who have several years of experience with Procter & Gamble.
Interview for summer 2010 Internship positions in Marketing at P&G.

What Will It Cost?
Absolutely nothing. Students chosen to participate in Summer Camp will be our guests in Cincinnati and P&G will cover all travel and lodging expenses.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 5th, 2009

Note: The majority of the intern positions will be located in Cincinnati, OH, with limited intern opportunities outside of Cincinnati, OH.

To learn more about this career path, click here.

How's Your Industry Knowledge?

2009-01-12T10:34:00.006-05:00

MLT Career Prep Coach's Corner
How's Your Industry Knowledge?
By: Rosalie Schraut, MLT Career Prep Coach

In today’s market, there is an expectation that candidates will be more knowledgeable than any company has seen in the past. However, are you reading the right news, reviews, and blogs that make you competitive? With so much information available on the web, is your source reliable? Or are you reading for fun and not bolstering your understanding of the industry? It doesn’t take much to build your acumen in any area, just a little time.

For those who have little time…a major newspaper with a comprehensive business section is best.

- The New York Times has very good coverage of everything from banking to advertising to science and technology. www.nytimes.com

- The Wall Street Journal may turn many people off, but it is a great source of all things business www.wsj.com

- The Washington Post www.washingtonpost.com

If you have a bit more time, you should delve into industry trades, such as Ad Age, Brand Week for marketers, or Automotive News for those in the auto industry. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can ask your mentor what they read.

Finally, there are blogs and op-eds on just about anything. Since these are opinion based, you should keep a critical eye on them.

AlumniAthlete Wall Street Internship Program

2009-01-05T18:39:00.003-05:00

The Wall Street Internship Program provides collegiate sophomores and juniors summer internships at the most prestigious investment banking firms in the world. This paid internship program is targeted to students who have displayed leadership, teamwork, initiative and the ability to perform under pressure. The internship is open to both student-athletes and non-athletes.

The early application deadline is December 19 and the regular decision application deadline is January 23.

Preliminary Admission Criteria: Acceptance into the program is highly competitive. Those who are awarded internship opportunities are outstanding students who have demonstrated:

- Academic Excellence (min. 3.0 cumulative GPA)

- Leadership and teamwork

- Strong Interpersonal Skills

- Maturity

- Commitment to Community Service

Click here for more info...

KPMG Summer Scholars Program

2008-12-17T10:36:00.005-05:00

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is accepting applications for the two summer KPMG Summer Scholars Program in New York City. Similar to our Washington Program, the KPMG Summer Scholars Program provides high achieving African American male college sophomores with unparalleled networking opportunities, lifelong mentorship, and leadership development.
The KPMG Scholars Program was established in 2007 in conjunction with KPMG, one of
the foremost accounting firms in the country. This program aims to provide African American
male college sophomores majoring in Accounting with an introduction to tax, audit, and advisory services. Students also receive one on one mentoring from senior level executives and their staff.

Program Highlights:
• Earn $21 per hour working fulltime
• Receive mentorship from senior level KPMG Partners;
• Attend important client engagements and activities;
• Receive a laptop for the duration of the program;
• Gain real world practical experience in tax, audit, and advisory services;

Program Details:
• The 2009 program will run from Saturday, June 6 to Sunday, August 1.
• Housing is paid for by the Institute.
• Students must commit to two summers.
• Applicants must be Accounting or Management Information Systems majors.
• Build strong bonds with other high achieving African American males

For more information on the Institute, please visit our website at www.i4rc.org.
Applicants must be college sophomores to apply to the KPMG Summer Scholars
Program. Even though the Institute requires applicants to have strong grade point
averages, the admissions committee also looks upon other achievements such as honors
and awards earned, athletics, past internships, campus involvement, and volunteer work
favorably.

The application for the KPMG Summer Scholars Program can be found on the web at:
http://www.i4rc.org/application.htm .

The admissions deadline for the Class of 2009 - 2010 is:
Friday, January 30, 2009.

**All applications must be received, not postmarked, by Friday, January 30.

Are you getting the word out on "Brand Me?"

2008-12-15T11:36:00.005-05:00

MLT Career Prep Coach's Corner
Are you getting the word out on “Brand Me?”
By: Rishal Stanciel, MLT Career Prep Coach

How many times have you heard that networking is the key to a successful job search? Well it is absolutely a true statement. According to most job search studies, 65% of new jobs are secured via networking. Personally, I have secured 90% of my jobs over a fifteen year professional career through networking. When I consider that talking to people at my target companies about “Brand Me” and my career goals has led to over $1MM in income, it has really convinced me to be a strong advocate for the art of networking. Literally sharing “Brand Me” with my friends and colleagues, has resulted in securing key positions in my target companies. This has certainly made me a believer in the statement that networking is the key to a successful job search. You might ask, “How do I network “Brand Me?”

In the job search process, it is simply the method of GETTING THE WORD OUT about “Brand Me”. You must communicate who you are, what you have to offer, and what you are looking for to the right target audience in order to facilitate a successful job search. Your primary target audience is comprised of the hiring managers within the companies on your “hit list”. Your secondary target group represents individuals that can connect you with the hiring managers within the companies on your hit list. Just like with any brand marketing plan, you must identify all of the right vehicles to communicate your message to your target market and execute the plan. Your message can be distributed to your target audience in many ways including your 90 second pitch, cover letter, resume, introductory email, phone call, Linked In, Facebook, and any other creative way to communicate “Brand Me”.

Now that you have identified your primary and secondary target audiences and how to reach them, the next step is to Just Do It! This means talking to everyone you know about “Brand Me”, and effectively delivering your message succinctly and effectively. Ideally, you should have 20 to 30 conversations a week on a continuous basis with your target audience. If you are able to talk to everyone you know about your brand and ask them about who they know at the companies on your hit list, then you have effectively extended your network. This type of Word-of-Mouth Advertising is critical to any job search. In essence you have extended the reach of “Brand Me” and greatly increased the number of touch points against your target audience. This represents the art of networking. The ability to effectively network has as much to do with your Brand Identity message as it does with the vehicles utilized, and the persistence of your messaging.

Lastly, tracking the results of your job search plan is very critical. The results of your job search plan should be systematically monitored so that you can continue to evolve your plan, as well as utilize key learnings for future job searches. A simple Excel spreadsheet with your target audience, hit list, and touch points should assist in accurately tracking your results.
In summary, these are the five steps to Networking “Brand Me”:

Develop the right Brand Identity message—Who are you?
Determine the right target audience—Hiring Managers & People that know them at Hit List companies
Decide on the right vehicles to communicate effectively
Just Do It-Get the word out!
Track Your results & Maintain your records for future searches

UBS Freshman Frenzy

2008-12-10T14:35:00.006-05:00

UBS Freshman Frenzy 2009

Overview
UBS Freshman Frenzy program is a one-day, expenses paid, immersion in the world of finance. The program provides students with an opportunity to jump-start a career in business through an exciting, hands-on introduction to:

Office of the COO Equities Finance Fixed Income

Investment Banking IT Operations Risk

This program is available to students who have completed their Freshman year and demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and are enthusiastic about the financial services industry.

Details
Location: UBS office in Stamford, CT
Program Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009

Eligibility Criteria
Currently enrolled as a Freshman
Minimum 3.4 GPA
All majors welcome to apply

Application Requirement
Resume submission

Deadline
Resumes are due Wednesday, February 11, 2009. E-mail your resume to diversityrecruiting@ubs.com, please place “Freshman Frenzy” in the subject line.

Application process
All candidates will be notified of their status via e-mail in March.

It starts with you: www.ubs.com/graduates

UBS Discovery Days

2008-12-10T14:26:00.004-05:00

UBS Discovery Days 2009

Overview
UBS Discovery Days program is a three-day, expenses paid, immersion in the world of finance. The program provides students with an opportunity to jump-start a career in business through an exciting, hands-on introduction to:

Office of the COO Equities Finance Fixed Income

Investment Banking IT Operations Risk

This program is available to Sophomores who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, possess strong analytical skills and are enthusiastic about the financial services industry.

Details
Location: UBS offices in New York, NY and Stamford, CT
Program Dates: May 27-29, 2009

Eligibility Criteria
Currently enrolled as a Sophomore
Minimum 3.4 GPA
All majors welcome to apply

Application Requirements
Resume. Include affiliations with student or education-based organizations if applicable.
Respond to following question. Typed and double-spaced in no more than 300 words. Please write your name on the top right corner of the page.

Utilizing the UBS “Vision and Values” statement, please describe an experience that you’ve had as it relate to one of the three core competencies described (entrepreneurial leadership, partnership and meritocracy).

Deadline
Applications are due Wednesday, February 4, 2009. E-mail all materials as attachments with “Discovery Days” as the subject line to diversityrecruiting@ubs.com.

Application Process
All candidates will be notified of their status via e-mail in March.

It starts with you: www.ubs.com/graduates

2008-12-10T14:24:00.003-05:00

Office of the COO
Equities
Finance
Fixed Income
IT
Investment Banking
Operations Wealth Management

Location: Stamford, CT
Dates: June thru August
Structure: Rotational across business and logistics areas

Currently enrolled as a Sophomore
Minimum 3.4 GPA
All majors welcome to apply!

Interested candidates should apply at www.ubs.com/graduates by Friday, January 9, 2009. Please enter job reference #
45028BR in the keyword field of the search page.

Selection Process
All candidates will be notified of their status by early April.
If you have any questions, please e-mail diversityrecruiting@ubs.com including in the subject line ‘The President’s Summer
Internship Program’.”
It starts with you: www.ubs.com/graduates

Professional Ethics

2008-12-10T12:25:00.006-05:00

MLT Career Prep Coach's Corner
Professional Ethics
By: Lakshmi Ramanathan, MLT Career Prep Coach

We hear the term “ethics” bandied about in Corporate America today- and often understand it to relate to the ethics of doing business; the code of conduct an organization follows as it deals with customers, shareholders and other constituents. And rightfully so.

However what I would like to put forth is a personal code of ethics that I think each of us should adhere to as we engage in the professional world- as we deal with recruiters, colleagues, clients, etc. You have a sense of self, a sense of personal integrity that you need to be true to. And the reality is you bring this personal self to work- and so it is an essential part of your professional self.

It is easy to ask why when we have witnessed several instances where questions have been asked about the ethics of how companies operate. For instance I have had students ask me why it was important for them not to renege on an offer when companies rescind offers. Or why it was necessary for them to tell a recruiter in plain terms that they didn’t receive a full time offer at the end of a summer internship- especially when there wasn’t a chance that the recruiter would be able to access that information. Questions definitely worth considering.

I go back again to the thought that it is important for you to be true to yourself- because that is the kind of professional you want to develop into as you progress through your career. That is the kind of mentor you want to be when it comes time for you to turn around and lend a helping hand to those following.

And then again from a purely pragmatic perspective, this is a small world we live in- and you never know who will turn up where. So it is smart to be sensible and ethical in your dealing with others- as the recruiter at the company you interviewed with today can turn up at another company you might be pursuing a little while down the road!

No Quant Background but you want to go to Business School?

2008-12-04T12:02:00.004-05:00

So you want to go to business school but you have very limited quantitative skills. You are not alone. A lot of business school applicants have academic backgrounds in humanities or liberal arts. However, if you do not want to be overwhelmed your first year of business school, you may want to build on your quantitative skills. Another reason to attain these essential skills is to help your business school application stand out. If you are showing business school admissions officers that you are already preparing for school, it shows that you take initiative and that you are serious about going to business school.

1) Enroll in a course. You may want to enroll in an online course, at a local community college or find a pre-MBA program.

Here are some of the courses you may want to take to adequately prepare for the first year of business school:

Finance

Accounting

Economics

Statistics

Excel

2) Read some books:

Cover Letters Matter!

2008-12-03T17:15:00.008-05:00

Career Prep Coach's Corner
Cover Letters Matter!
By: Angie Temming, MLT Career Prep Coach

Surprisingly, some candidates actually question the value of a cover letter. As a Career Coach, my question is “Why not?” As one of possibly hundreds of candidates, your cover letter is another grand opportunity to position yourself for the employer and role. It’s also a great way to showcase your solid writing skills and demonstrate your knowledge of the organization. In fact, a good cover letter should supplement, rather than regurgitate, information already offered on your resume.

In developing robust examples for both a cover letter and job interview, think in terms of SAR = situation + action + result. While resumes present actions and results, an effective cover letter also describes the pre-existing situation, challenge or goal; why you decided to take action; and how you did it. For example, your resume may highlight your university, major, graduation date, GPA and relevant coursework. Instead of reiterating much of the same in your cover letter, share a specific class project, your approach and what you’re now capable of doing as a result of this effort. If you worked on a team, even better – cite your role and specific contribution. Similarly, consider leadership and professional development activities listed on the resume. In your cover letter, provide more detail, like why you pursued and/or were selected for such an endeavor; your goals and how you went about reaching them; and the overall impact on the organization and/or your value as a candidate.

In respect to structure, use the same font size and type as on the resume, stick to one page and vary sentence construction to convey a mature writing style. In your introduction, state your purpose for writing the letter; mention the name of a referral, if applicable; and succinctly position yourself as the ideal candidate in one to three sentences: “With X, Y and Z, I believe I am strong candidate for this position.” The next two or three paragraphs are the heart of the letter where you’re expected to share specific examples mentioned above. In your close, again summarize your value as a candidate; express your excitement about the opportunity and eagerness to arrange an interview; and thank the employer for their time and consideration. Last, but not least, proofread your work, because a grammatical error will go undetected by spell-check and could cost you an interview.

Sun Microsystems Campus Ambassadors

2008-12-02T09:10:00.004-05:00

Campus ambassadors are Sun Microsystems interns who build a Sun community on their college or university campus. They learn all about the latest Sun open-source technologies and share that knowledge with fellow students. This includes activities such as starting a Sun user group on campus, demonstrating Sun technology to fellow students, promoting Sun events and contests, and blogging.

Campus ambassadors work a few hours each week and bring cutting-edge technology to fellow students, professors, and researchers -- and they get top pay to do it!

Benefits for Campus Ambassadors
Students who work as campus ambassadors have a rare opportunity to learn about Java, Solaris, and other Sun open-source technologies directly from the source. Campus ambassadors also get valuable work experience and make connections at Sun that will give them an advantage as they prepare to enter the workforce.

Campus ambassadors receive the following benefits from Sun:

Free training
Discounts on Sun certification exams
Access to the latest technology
Great hours and top pay

Sun offers campus ambassadors an extensive training curriculum and supports them with a top-notch international technical team. Sun connects ambassadors globally with a state-of-the-art community website, training and marketing materials, demonstrations, and much more.

For more information and to apply for this opportunity, please www.sun.com/students

Sincerely,

Sun Microsystems

Most Recent Business School Rankings

2008-12-01T17:42:00.000-05:00

Business Week:

* 1 University of Chicago (Booth)
* 2 Harvard University
* 3 Northwestern University (Kellogg)
* 4 University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)
* 5 University of Michigan (Ross)
* 6 Stanford University
* 7 Columbia University
* 8 Duke University (Fuqua)
* 9 MIT (Sloan)
* 10 UC Berkeley (Haas)
* 11 Cornell University (Johnson)
* 12 Dartmouth (Tuck)
* 13 NYU (Stern)
* 14 UCLA (Anderson)
* 15 Indiana University (Kelley)
* 16 University of Virginia (Darden)
* 17 UNC - Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)
* 18 Southern Methodist (Cox)
* 19 Carnegie Mellon (Tepper)
* 20 University of Notre Dame (Mendoza)
* 21 Texas - Austin
* 22 Brigham Young (Marriott)
* 23 Emory University (Goizueta)
* 24 Yale University
* 25 University of Southern California (Marshall)
* 26 University of Maryland (Smith)
* 27 University of Washington (Foster)
* 28 Washington University (Olin)
* 29 Georgia Tech
* 30 Vanderbilt University (Owen)

US News and World Reports Business School Rankings:

1 Harvard University, Boston MA
2 Stanford University, Stanford, CA
3 University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), Philadelphia PA
4 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan), Cambridge, MA
4 Northwestern University (Kellogg), Evanston, IL
4 University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
7 Dartmouth College (Tuck), Hanover, NH
7 UC Berkeley (Haas), Berkeley, CA
9 Columbia University, New York, NY
10 New York University (Stern), New York, NY
11 UCLA (Anderson), Los Angeles, CA
12 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (Ross), Ann Arbor, MI
13 Yale University, New Haven, CT
14 Cornell University (Johnson), Ithaca, NY
14 Duke Univeristy (Fuqua), Durham, NC
14 University of Virgina (Darden), Charlottesville, VA
17 Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper), Pittsburgh, PA
18 University of Teas - Austin (McCombs), Austin, TX
19 University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler), Chapel
Hill, NC
20 Indiana University - Bloomington (Kelley), Bloomington, IN
21 University of Southern California (Marshall), Los Angeles, CA
22 Arizona State University (Carey), Tempe, AZ
22 Georgetown University (McDonough), Washington, DC
24 Emory University (Goizueta), Atlanta, GA
25 University of Rochestor (Simon), Rochester, NY

MANA- National Latina Organization

2008-11-26T17:32:00.003-05:00

Mission Statement

MANA, empowers Latinas through leadership development, community service and advocacy.

MANA is a national community of Latinas actively working to create a better quality of life for Hispanics.

Should I go to Business School?

2008-11-26T16:37:00.002-05:00

I have always committed my time and energy to helping others. I thought that having a law degree would give me the best skills to help others and a path I would take to making a social impact. With a law degree, I could dedicate myself to public service. Through law, I could fight for justice and speak for those who feel they have no voice in our society. I could protect the civil rights and liberties of all Americans despite their social status. However, after much reflection, I came to the following conclusions: law involves a lot of paper work and I prefer to actually interact with the group I am serving, lawyers working in the public sector burn out quickly and become jaded, injustice is very hard to fight with the laws currently in place, etc. I felt that if I went into law I would have to fight an uphill battle.

I had never considered business school so I continued with my daily life. Eventually, I ran into an old college friend and we discussed my future career goals. He told me that if I wanted to have a social impact and be able to control exactly how the organization would run that I should look into social entrepreneurship. What was that? How does it work? What kind of skills do I need to start an organization dedicated to helping others? I researched social entrepreneurship programs online which resulted in MBA program listings that specialized in this field.

I never considered how business could lead to social impact. My impression was that businesses were just profit-seeking organizations until I learned about things like corporate social responsibility and the double-bottom line. I began to see business as a tool for social change. I am currently on the path towards attaining an MBA. I have applied to MLT's MBA Prep program and have enrolled in a Kaplan course. I have researched potential schools online and have visited both Yale School of Management and Columbia Graduate School of Business.

Once you make that decision, first 3 things to do before you begin applying:

1) Start studying for the GMAT.

2) Research schools you are interested in. Look at the curriculum, professors, teaching style, facilities, etc.

3) Visit schools. You don’t want to waste time applying to a school that you can’t picture yourself attending.

Manhattan GMAT Podcasts

2008-11-26T16:17:00.001-05:00

Gain some insight on writing business school essays.

NSHMBA's "The Business Case for Diversity"

2008-11-24T10:15:00.003-05:00

LATINO ISSUES FORUM “The Business Case for Diversity” December 3, 20085:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Harvard Club of New York City
35 W. 44th St. (between 5th & 6th)

Keynote Speaker: James Huerta, CEO, Research Pays
Guest of Honor: Soledad O’Brien, Anchor, CNN

Refreshments served.
Networking Reception and Cocktail Party followed by a Panel Discussion.
RSVP - 212-645-2132

$5000 Scholarship & Internship - Goldman Sachs

2008-11-17T15:08:00.004-05:00

Scholarship for Excellence

The Goldman Sachs Scholarship for Excellence Program, established in 1994, is an integral part of our diversity recruiting effort, helping to attract Black, Hispanic and Native American undergraduate students to careers at Goldman Sachs.

Recipients of the scholarship in their sophomore year receive a $5,000 award toward tuition and academic expenses for one year. Students invited to return for a second summer internship are eligible to receive an additional award of $10,000. Recipients in their junior year receive a scholarship award of $10,000. Scholarship recipients also receive an offer for a paid Goldman Sachs summer internship.

Click here for the Application Checklist

Looking To Boost Your Work Experience?

2008-11-17T14:45:00.002-05:00

internshipIN is bridging the gap between two groups of people hungry to get to know each other with no true other way to connect.

They know students have a hard time finding internship opportunities at companies doing something important to them. They also know startups, especially early and mid-stage startups, have a difficult time recruiting at different universities.

They fill this connection gap with company profiles, university partnerships and more! In short, internshipIN plays matchmaker for students and startups!

Ready to find a company you love?

Check them out here...

MLT MBA Prep Alumni Interview

2008-11-14T16:57:00.004-05:00

Name: Christian Duncan
Undergraduate Institution: UCLA
Major: Electrical Engineering
MBA Program: Cornell University- Johnson School of Management

Financing the MBA process

2008-11-14T16:34:00.000-05:00

So you want to go to business school to make some money but you are currently in broke mode. What do you do? You have to hustle; you have to make something out of nothing. Most of us don’t have the power and resources to get our way so we have to make things happen.

1) Find out how much money you owe and what your credit looks like. Get your FICO score and your credit report. You don’t want to get denied loans because you have bad credit.

2) Stop living a balla lifestyle. When you go to business school, you will have to get used to living like a student again. Remember, you will forego an income for 2 years. Start a savings fund so you have something to fall back on and stop buying all the new Jordans. You are too grown for that anyway.

3) Research scholarships. There are so many untapped resources out there that you can access if you commit time and energy. Find out what the criteria is to get a merit-based scholarship so you can focus on making yourself a good candidate for those.

4) Know the financial aid system. Different schools have different ways of assisting students finance their MBA. Make sure you know what the deadlines are for each school and what paperwork is required. Stay organized so you can keep track of everything that is required.

5) Find out if your company is willing to pay a percentage of your tuition or completely sponsor you. Make sure you know the conditions of that sponsorship. You don’t want to consider this option if you hate where you are currently working. You may have to sign your life away to them for an additional X number of years.

6) Budget wisely. A lot of people don’t know how to do this effectively. Make sure you include both the application process and expenses being incurred in business school as a part of that budget.

7) Save money. Not only are you cutting back on spending but you will need some money to fall back on. Even if you receive financial assistance, you will need money for living expenses. Some cities are more expensive to live in than others so make sure you know typical rent and groceries cost. Also, you will no longer have health benefits through your job so you may want to research health insurance options.

7) Be persistent. Know the ins and outs of every resource you can use to finance your education. If you give up too soon, you may lose out on a good opportunity.

8) Take chances. Ask for discounts. Do schools offer fee waivers? Can you get a lower price on your GMAT class?

9) Network. Talk to friends and others who have gone through the business school application process. What was their hustle like? You can learn a lot from listening to others.

$5000 Scholarship and 10 -week NYC Internship with Credit Suisse

2008-11-11T14:45:00.005-05:00

Credit Suisse will offer $5,000 scholarships to a number of college sophomores of African, Latino, and Native American descent. Recipients of the scholarships will be selected based on their academic excellence, leadership abilities, and interest in the financial services industry.

In addition to monetary resources, students who receive the Douglas L. Paul Scholarship will have the opportunity to participate in our 10 week rotational program in New York. This unique 10-week placement provides students with an opportunity to rotate through the various areas of the bank. Students will have exposure to the Alternative Investments, Equities, Fixed Income, and Investment Banking departments. Scholars will not only be exposed to the world of financial services, but they will participate in a developed mentor program, participate in social activities where they will get to know Credit Suisse professionals as well as New York City, and attend weekly seminars with senior management.

Scholars will receive a stipend for the duration of the 10-week program.

Please Click Here for the application

Upcoming Bell Curves Info Sessions in New York

2008-11-10T10:16:00.002-05:00

Bell Curves invites you to one of its upcoming free info sessions.

Click here to RSVP

At their GMAT Information Sessions prospective business school applicants will be introduced to the GMAT and how to effectively prepare for the test. One of their dynamic instructors will give you an overview of the GMAT, explain its relevance to the admissions process, demonstrate key strategies, and advise you how to prepare most effectively. They will answer all your questions about the test anything from "when should you take the exam?" to "what are the key skills and content that you should focus on during your preparation? "

Dates:

Monday Nov 17, 2008 6:30pm-8:30pm

Saturday Dec 13, 2008 11:00am-1:00pm

Wednesday Jan 21, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

Saturday Jan 31, 2009 1:30pm-3:30pm

Wednesday Feb 18, 2009 6:30pm-8:30pm

Address:

Bell Curves, the educational services company

147 West 35th Street, Suite 1702, New York, NY 10001

Toll free: 877.223.3828 | fax: 646.414.1675

Dan@bellcurves.com | http://www.bellcurves.com

MBA Value Proposition and MBA Prep Q&A

2008-11-07T10:23:00.005-05:00

To listen to MLT's MBA Value Proposition presentation and MBA Prep Q&A, click on the image below:

Gay Business World

2008-11-06T17:12:00.000-05:00

Career advice, news, job search, etc.

GLBT Business Magazine

2008-11-06T16:53:00.000-05:00

Resources, news articles, book recommendations, company profiles are all available on this site.

Mastering the U.S. Job Interview: 10 Tips for Hispanic Professionals

2008-11-04T17:11:00.002-05:00

By Mesia Quartano & Barb Freda for LatPro.com.

We may be living in a global economy, but the fact remains: There are some subtle — and some not-so-subtle — differences between the way employment interviews are conducted in the United States and in Latin America.

To help you better prepare for U.S. interviews, LatPro took time recently to speak with two experts in the field of employment training: experts who have made it their business to coach Hispanic job candidates and employers in cross-cultural interviewing techniques.

Graciela Kenig is founder and president of LatinoWorkforce.com, an organization dedicated to finding and placing multicultural recruits into the workforce. Nelson A. De Leon is a bilingual recruiting consultant, and the owner and founder of America At Work.

We asked our experts: What makes an employment interview in the United States different from one that might be conducted in Latin America? What expectations do U.S. interviewers have, and what does a Latino candidate need to know to succeed in this new environment?

Here are their top tips to help you avoid possible misconceptions and cultural pitfalls so you can get the job you want!

Top Ten Tips for Acing your U.S. Job Interview

1. Take Credit for your Professional Accomplishments
An employer expects you to “toot your own horn,” says Graciela Kenig. This can be awkward for Latinos who are more community and group-oriented, but it’s a crucial part of the U.S. interview.

Employers want to hear not just how you worked as a part of a team, but very specifically what you did on that team and what your contributions were, notes Kenig. Discussing your individual accomplishments won’t be viewed as arrogant or egotistical. In fact, if you don’t point out your solo successes, employers will assume you don’t have significant contributions to talk about.

2. Make Eye Contact
Interviewers will be picturing you as a potential coworker during the interview. They expect you to look them in the eye and act like a colleague. For some Hispanics, such direct eye contact may feel uncomfortable, as it can have different connotations in Latin America, including attraction between a man and woman, a lack of respect or a challenge to authority. All of these potential cultural implications must be set aside for the interview. In the U.S., making good eye contact shows confidence; failing to look your interviewer in the eye will not only make them uncomfortable, it could be interpreted as a sign that you are being evasive or untruthful.

3. Be Direct
“We Latinos tend to communicate indirectly,” says Kenig “We need to give context to stories, and the story gets really long.” In the U.S. interview, however, you should get to the point quickly and focus only on the relevant facts. Kenig’s story strategy is SAR: Pick the Situation; relate the Action; highlight the Results.

Plunging right in and talking about the matter at hand may seem rude or abrupt to a Latino, but it won’t to the person doing the interview. They are busy, time is short, and you need to shine during the brief time you have in front of them.

4. Focus on Professional, not Personal, Issues
Interviewers may ask a question just to break the ice, says De Leon, asking a recruit to “tell me something about yourself.” They are not asking about your childhood, your dogs or your family.

The interviewer really wants to hear about you in relation to the jobs you’ve had in the past and the job you want. “That can be tough for Hispanics, who want to ease into conversations about themselves,” adds De Leon. Practice answering these types of questions without including your entire life’s story.

5. Get Rid of the “Yes Syndrome”
The Yes Syndrome is something De Leon identifies as an idiosyncrasy of Hispanic culture. As an interviewer is talking, the recruit may be nodding his head, saying yes over and over, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ve understood everything. It does mean they’ve heard; they are listening, and they won’t interrupt for fear of seeming rude.

“It’s okay to ask questions,” says De Leon. “Ask, ‘Can you explain that?’ or just repeat back to the interviewer what you’ve heard: ‘You need A, B, C and D for this job.’” It doesn’t make you look stupid, as some fear. It makes you look and sound engaged in the interview.

6. Don’t Be Passive
This goes hand in hand with getting rid of the Yes Syndrome. If you are too humble or too reserved, says De Leon, you may appear uninterested in the job. Once you start asking questions, it shows you have a good grasp of the job at hand. The smartest people don’t give the best answers, they ask the best questions, showing potential employers they can identify problems.

7. Beware Tú vs. Usted
Latinos are aware of the formality of the “usted.” But because English only uses “you,” be conscious that you don’t get too familiar with your interviewer. De Leon sees this especially with people who have grown up in the Latino culture within the United States. While a recruit should not be subservient, there should still be respect. And if you happen to be interviewing in a situation where you will use Spanish, stick with “usted” during the interview. Don’t lapse into using “tú” for the entire corporate culture.

8. Dress Conservatively
“It’s always better to be overdressed rather than underdressed,” says De Leon, but what is dressy for going out on the town is not appropriate attire for the interview. Kenig reminds recruits, “Whatever you wear makes an impression and says something about who you are.”

Even if the day-to-day dress of regular employees is casual, you should choose conservative business attire for your interview. A professional appearance shows that you respect the interviewer and are serious about the available position. Avoid anything that will detract from the interview, including too much jewelry, perfume or aftershave. You want the focus to be on your abilities, not on an overpowering fragrance or distracting accessories.

9. Don’t be Discouraged if the Interviewer Seems Impersonal
Employers who don’t ask about your background, your family, your kids and your church aren’t being rude, and it doesn’t mean they don’t like you as a potential employee. In the U.S., these types of personal interview questions are prohibited. “There are a lot of legal issues they cannot discuss or bring up first in an interview,” says Kenig. If the recruit mentions a spouse or children, the interviewer can follow up on it, but they are bound by law not to ask first.

10. Research the company before your interview – and don’t forget your Hispanic connections!
It’s a big world, but our cultural connections can make the world seem smaller. In addition to more traditional research methods, use your cultural connections to gain valuable insights into a company. Within the close-knit Hispanic community, chances are good that you can find someone who has already interviewed with or worked for a particular company. Professional Hispanic organizations and their members can also be a wealth of information. All you have to do is ask!

MLT Career Prep Application is Now Open!

2008-11-04T12:45:00.004-05:00

Why should you join Career Prep?

Everyone needs a job after college. Career Prep puts you in a better position to be competitive in a tough job market. Here are some of the most valuable elements of Career Prep:

1. Exposure to Job Opportunities: MLT introduces you to a wide range of business career options through guided workshops led by companies across a wide range of industries including Goldman Sachs, Monitor Group, General Mills, Major League Baseball, Citigroup and McKinsey & Company. Click here for a complete list of our partner organizations.

2. 1-on-1 Career Coaching: Each fellow gets a professional career coach with industry and company expertise who provides candid advice and feedback to the fellow throughout the career planning process. The coach facilitates an introspective process that helps the fellow identify their vision, industries and companies that match that vision, and the skills they need to succeed on that career path.

3. 4 Leadership Development Trips: We don't just help you find a job. We help you prepare to do well in your job by developing your business and analytical skills, with a curriculum co-developed with leading corporations, who extend their intellectual capital and training resources to you. MLT's leadership development weekends compliment the 1-on-1 coaching with experiential learning exercises and deep discussions.

4. National Networking: MLT seeks to expand fellows' social capital by creating opportunities to network up and across. Fellows will have opportunities to meet our alumni and other supporters who are in positions that they want to be in and to network with a high-performing peer group.

National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

2008-11-01T17:26:00.000-04:00

The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Get one step closer to increasing contract and procurement opportunities by becoming certified.

MBA Programs that Accept the GRE® General Test

2008-10-31T10:46:00.000-04:00

Alaska Pacific University
American Jewish University
Arcadia University
Augsburg College
Azusa Pacific University
Baker College Center for Graduate Studies
Baldwin Wallace College
Brenau University
California Baptist University
California State University - Chico
California State University - Stanislaus
Campbellsville University
Christian Brothers University
City University of Seattle
Clark University
Clarkson University
Clemson University
Cleveland State University
College of Santa Fe - Albuquerque
Colorado State University
Cumberland University
Davenport University - Grand Rapids
Delaware State University
DeVry University, Oakbrook Terrace
Dominican University of California
Eastern Michigan University
Fairmont State University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida International University
Florida Southern College
Frostburg State University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Humboldt State University
International Technological University
Johns Hopkins University
Johnson & Wales University
Kansas Wesleyan University
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Lynchburg College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mesa State College
Morehead State University
Murray State University
National-Louis University
Northern Kentucky University
North Park University
Northwest Christian College
Nova Southeastern University
Oklahoma Christian University
Oklahoma City University
Oral Roberts University
Pacific Lutheran University
Pacific States University
Park University
Pfeiffer University
Piedmont College - Demorest
Point Park University
Regent University - DC
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rowan University - Glassboro
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Saint Peters College
Salve Regina University
Shenandoah University
Southern Utah University
Southern Wesleyan University
Southwestern Adventist University
St Ambrose University
St Edwards University
St Thomas University
Stanford University
Stevens Institute of Technology
Strayer Education, Inc.
Sul Ross State University
Sullivan University
Tarleton State University
Texas A&M International University
Texas A&M University - Commerce
Troy University
Troy University - Atlantic Region
Troy University - Dothan
Troy University - Montgomery
Troy University - Phenix City
University of Alabama
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Arkansas
University of Central Florida
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
University of Dallas
University of Houston - Victoria
University of Memphis
University of New Mexico
University of North Alabama
University of Northern Virginia
University of North Texas
University of Redlands
University of Redlands - Burbank
University of Redlands - Orange County
University of Redlands - Rancho Cucamonga
University of Redlands - Riverside
University of Redlands - San Diego
University of Redlands - Temecula
University of Redlands - Torrance
University of South Carolina
University of Texas at Brownsville
University of the Incarnate Word
University of Vermont
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Upper Iowa University
Valdosta State University
Wayland Baptist University
West Texas A&M University
Willamette University
Wingate University
York College of Penn

ETS Introduces GRE(R) Comparison Tool for Business Schools

2008-10-31T10:43:00.001-04:00

PRINCETON, NJ, Oct 28, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Educational Testing Service(R) (ETS(R)) today announced the introduction of a new GRE(R) Comparison Tool for Business Schools at its website www.ets.org/gre/comparison. The online tool offers business schools a way to predict Graduate Management Admission Test(R) (GMAT(R)) scores from Graduate Record Examinations(R) (GRE) General Test scores.

The comparison tool was developed in response to requests from business schools for information to help them evaluate applicants who submitted GRE scores for admission to MBA programs.

The predicted GMAT scores produced by the tool are calculated based on analyses of test scores from individuals who took both the GRE General Test and the GMAT exam under standard testing conditions between January 2006 and July 2008.

"The GRE and GMAT comparison tool will be very helpful to us," explains David Bach, Associate Dean of MBA programs at Instituto de Empresa (IE) Business School. "The fact that it is accessible online makes the admissions review process easier, too."

Based in Madrid, Spain, IE's MBA program is ranked in the top ten worldwide by The Financial Times.

The launch of the GRE Comparison Tool for Business Schools comes at a time when an increasing number of business schools and MBA programs, both domestically and internationally, are accepting GRE General Test scores for graduate admission. More than 120 MBA programs now accept GRE General Test scores, including Stanford University, MIT, Clemson University, Johns Hopkins and IE Business School. Visit www.ets.org/gre/bschools to view a full list of MBA programs that accept GRE scores.

"As a top-ranked business school, we realize that we need to recruit the most excellent and diverse students," says Bach. "The demand for a creative and diverse workforce comes directly from the professional business community that increasingly competes on a global level. Therefore, we have to be selective and focused on quality, and accept different tests and test formats, provided they are well-suited to select the best."

"The tool is very easy to use," explains ETS Associate Vice President David Payne. "The user enters an applicant's GRE Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores, and then views the applicant's predicted GMAT Total score. The ability to predict a GMAT Total score from GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores is not surprising, given that both tests measure the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning skills that business schools value, and the correlation between the GRE scores and the GMAT Total score is quite high."

In 2009, ETS will launch the Personal Potential Index (PPI), which will provide an evaluation of critical personal attributes that graduate schools and business schools look for in candidates -- attributes that traditional standardized tests weren't intended to measure.

"The PPI will be particularly beneficial for business schools that historically place added value on individual leadership, team work and ethics," adds Payne.

To learn more about the GRE General Test for graduate business and MBA programs, visit www.ets.org/gre/business.

About ETS

ETS is a nonprofit institution with the mission to advance quality and equity in education by providing fair and valid assessments, research and related services for all people worldwide. In serving individuals, educational institutions and government agencies around the world, ETS customizes solutions to meet the need for teacher professional development products and services, classroom and end-of-course assessments, and research-based teaching and learning tools. Founded in 1947, ETS today develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org

SOURCE: Educational Testing Service

Native American Youth Entrepreneur Camp

2008-10-31T10:30:00.002-04:00

Each summer, the Native Nations Institute conducts the Native American Youth Entrepreneur Camp (NAYEC) on The University of Arizona campus in Tucson.

The camp fosters skills to encourage private-sector development in Indian Country.
NAYEC instructors teach high-school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates the basics of economics, computer skills, and business-plan preparation through activities that lead to personal and professional development.

Students also have the opportunity to meet and seek advice from Native American business professionals through classroom visits and field trips to nearby native-owned businesses. At one of the culminating events of the camp, the Youth Marketplace, students get a taste of what it's like to run their own businesses using what they learn in the camp classes. The Business Plan Showcase presents business plans that students prepare throughout the camp, providing prizes for the most promising ideas.

ETS Introduces GRE(R) Comparison Tool for Business Schools

2008-10-31T09:28:00.000-04:00

Source: MarketWatch

PRINCETON, NJ, Oct 28, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Educational Testing Service(R) (ETS(R)) today announced the introduction of a new GRE(R) Comparison Tool for Business Schools at its website www.ets.org/gre/comparison. The online tool offers business schools a way to predict Graduate Management Admission Test(R) (GMAT(R)) scores from Graduate Record Examinations(R) (GRE) General Test scores.

The comparison tool was developed in response to requests from business schools for information to help them evaluate applicants who submitted GRE scores for admission to MBA programs.

Career Diversity

Citi Sophomore Diversity Leadership Program

Forte Foundation Events

Answering the Behavioral Interview Question: "Can you give me an example of a time when you failed?"

Credit Suisse Douglas L. Paul Scholarship for Sophomores

UBS President's Summer Intern Program

Taste of L'oreal MBA

Winning Women Leadership Event at JP Morgan

3 Ways to Pitch Yourself in 30 Seconds

How to Get More From Your Mentor

Participate in an Upcoming Forte Webinar for Undergrad Women

2009 Latino Economic Forum: Shaping a New Era of Business

The Consortium MBA Application Preparation Seminar

Goldman Sachs 2010 Diversity and Women’s Conference

Register Now for Forte's MBA Informational Webinars

JPMorgan Chase 2009 Latino Leadership Forum

J.P. Morgan Launching Leaders Undergraduate Scholarship

How to Turn an Internship into a Job

Top 5 Ways to Stay in Touch

State Farm presents the 2009 NBMBAA Entrepreneurial City Tour

August Lunch and Learn Series

NSHMBA Happy Hour Minneapolis

NSMBAA Annual Leadership Forum

How important is business school accreditation?

RPAA MBA Admissions Conference in LA

NSHMBA & AXA Summer Networking Event

Forte Women MBA Events

Recession survival guide: Harsh welcome to real world

By Mary Ellen Podmolik

Goldman Sachs Scholar Program

Goldman Sachs Women's Leadership Camp

Goldman Sachs Undergraduate Camp

LOFT Internship Opportunities

Launching Leaders Experience - JP Morgan Chase [College Freshmen]

Naive Networking by Jeff Sandefer (Acton Foundation for Entrepreneurial Excellence)

Free Graduate School at Wake Forest

New York Times : A Cover Letter is not Expendable

GMAT Tips from Akil Bello

Add Career Prep As a Facebook Friend

Women for Hire

Credit Suisse BA Explorer Program

Complimentary Career Consultation (Columbia Students only)

Tech Interns needed for Fashion Company

MLT Career Prep Program - Apply Now!

ALPFA Scholarship Program

Over the past 3 years, ALPFA has awarded students over $457,000 in scholarship money.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 15th, 2009

Total Scholarship Funds: $150,000Average ALPFA Scholarship Award: $1250-1500* Limited scholarship awards for top candidates up to $10,000

Please note that the top 50 students selected will be invited to attend ALPFA’s National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts (August 8-12, 2009) with all expenses paid for - convention registration, airfare, and lodging .

*Click on Scholarships -- Apply Now -- Follow the link to the ALPFA online application.

MBA 1st-Year Marketing Interrnship: Procter & Gamble

How's Your Industry Knowledge?

AlumniAthlete Wall Street Internship Program

KPMG Summer Scholars Program

Are you getting the word out on "Brand Me?"

UBS Freshman Frenzy

UBS Discovery Days

Professional Ethics

No Quant Background but you want to go to Business School?

Cover Letters Matter!

Sun Microsystems Campus Ambassadors

Most Recent Business School Rankings

MANA- National Latina Organization

Should I go to Business School?

Manhattan GMAT Podcasts

NSHMBA's "The Business Case for Diversity"

$5000 Scholarship & Internship - Goldman Sachs

Looking To Boost Your Work Experience?

MLT MBA Prep Alumni Interview

Financing the MBA process

$5000 Scholarship and 10 -week NYC Internship with Credit Suisse

Upcoming Bell Curves Info Sessions in New York

MBA Value Proposition and MBA Prep Q&A

Gay Business World

GLBT Business Magazine

Mastering the U.S. Job Interview: 10 Tips for Hispanic Professionals

MLT Career Prep Application is Now Open!

National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

MBA Programs that Accept the GRE® General Test

ETS Introduces GRE(R) Comparison Tool for Business Schools

Total Scholarship Funds: $150,000
Average ALPFA Scholarship Award: $1250-1500
* Limited scholarship awards for top candidates up to $10,000