Passport #6 Executive Mentor Program

The Executive Mentor Program required for freshmen business majors at Loyola University New Orleans has been very beneficial thus far.  The objective of this program has been to introduce the freshmen class to successful business people in the New Orleans area.  It has given us a chance to meet with these mentors and ask any questions we may have.  We have also had the opportunity to get insight into this career field and receive advice as to what career paths to take.

This experience has been very beneficial so far.  I have started networking for my future already.  I have had a chance to meet and make an impression on a leader in the business community in New Orleans, which may benefit me in the future.  I have had a chance to spend time with him, and have conversations with him, which may lead to future job opportunities.  This has also been a great experience to meet classmates and develop relationships with them.  I have met other business students who I may have not met otherwise.  This will help me to develop a network here at Loyola University as well.  I now have more relationships to turn to in case of projects or assignments.

I did not know what to expect coming into this program.  After getting to know my mentor better, I do have high expectations for next semester.  He is a very intelligent, successful financial consultant.  After knowing this and getting to know him and his family, I expect a lot of advice and stories of his experiences in the future.  

In seeking an executive mentor, I would suggest to find someone who is in the field he or she is interested in going into.  I would suggest having friendly conversations with multiple people he or she may be interested in working with so as to find the one whose personality is most similar and compatible with his or her own.  I would suggest spending time with a few prospective mentors so as to make sure he or she will find one who will be the most helpful in achieving success in the business field.

I look forward to getting to know more about what my mentor does as his career.  I am excited to get to know him on a more personal level rather than just learning about his career path.  At Loyola, I am excited to start my second semester, having gotten used to the new city first semester.  I am now more comfortable and confident being in New Orleans, and I am ready to tackle my second half of freshman year.  I plan to become more involved in school sponsored activities as well in hopes of meeting new people.

To stay connected with current events in business, I recommend the Business Week magazine website.  It is a weekly magazine that posts its articles online.  This is a great way to stay connected.  Also, Yahoo! News is also a great website to keep updated in business.  This website is usually updated very often and has the latest in current events.