My Experience with The Executive Mentor Program

Not too many freshmen in college get the opportunity to learn about the business world outside of the classroom with successful, intellectual, and qualified Business Professionals who are leaders, motivators and mentors. I fortunately had that opportunity through The Executive Mentor Program here at Loyola University New Orleans. I had the opportunity of learning about the business world from John Zollinger, Christopher Coulon, and Rodney Crosby from Regions Bank. They took the time out of their busy schedules to show my peers and me the ropes of business. We discussed important topics like Networking, Interviewing, School and most important, our life after college. The worst part of this experience is right now, the end. Our Executive Mentor Program has ended as we become sophomores, but the things that I learned will travel with me throughout the rest of my time here at Loyola.

To learn more about the Executive Mentor Program here at Loyola University New Orleans visit http://www.business.loyno.edu/executivementor/index.html.

My Last Executive Mentor Meeting

On my recent and final mentor field trip, my mentoring group and I went to a small pizzeria on Magazine Avenue in New Orleans. The pizzeria was a small business that had about three employees, a chef, a bartender, and a waiter. They sold simple pizza’s along with a variety of pastas and salads. I was surprised to see the type of architecture of the pizzeria. It had very old antique fixtures and furniture. It was a very nice spot to discuss the state of the economy which is what was discussed at our meeting. Unfortunately we did not meet the leader of the business but we did have a meaningful discuss over pizza.

My Network to Success

On January 15, 2008 I attended a networking event where I met a hand full of well respected, intellectual and successful professionals. I entered this event quite eager and ready to network. The first professional I networked with was Rodney Crosby from the Region’s Commercial Real Estate Department in New Orleans where he serves as a Credit Specialist. Rodney and I had met before at our Executive Mentor meetings. I was later pleased to meet and network with our Dean! Mr. William B. Locander welcomed me with big open arms. I was delighted to network with him and learn about his many credentials. Mr. Locander is the Founding Director of the Davis Leadership Center.
I was then distracted by Miss Leslie Monson's big smile and joyous spirit. Her bubbly manner drew me to her. I began to talk with her when she told me about her fun and exciting career. Miss Monson is a graduate of Loyola University and is now the Advertising Manager for Harrah’s In New Orleans where directs all the agency relationships while managing diverse aspects of print, radio and television advertising. She generally focuses on marketing the Casino, Harrah’s Hotel, Fulton Street and all restaurant and entertainment venues on the property. Miss Leslie Monson led me to Mr. David Jacobs who is the Project Manager at Unisys Corporation where he helps run a human resource system that covers a quarter of he federal government. His clever ideas and eye for success had placed him as on of the “Top 40 Under 40” in New Orleans.

To close out the night I networked with one of my favorite professors Mrs. Michelle Johnston. Mrs Michelle Johnston is the woman who we owe all thanks too. She is the director of the Executive Mentor Program and associate professor of Management. Five years ago Mrs. Johnston instigated the Executive Mentor Program. Her love, keenness and commitment to her students also placed her as a woman of the “Top 40 Under 40.”
I was very appreciative for this Networking Event and I toke advantage of it. I plan to keep in contact with all the Professionals I networked with that evening. . This event also helped me with my speaking skills. In the future I will try my best not to be afraid to express myself through speaking. If you would like to learn more about networking visit http://www.businesspundit.com/how-to-network-for-introverts/ for more info.