MBA Advisory Board Newsletter

February 2024

The College of Business MBA Advisory Board actively engages students and alumni through events, networking mixers, mentoring, scholarships and more. For each section in the newsletter, click on the link to view the full article and additional photos. 

This past November, the MBA Advisory Board celebrated Barbara Barcon, for her seven years as Chair. We presented her with an award for our appreciation for her hard work. Barbara was instrumental in creating the Board and is responsible for implementing MBA student/alumni mixers, an outstanding mentoring program across all graduate programs and curriculum implementation. She supported the COB accreditation process and started the MBA Board Scholarship. We are grateful that she passes on a strong, active and vibrant Board. Barbara remains on the Board as Past Chair. 

Thank you, Barbara, for all you did, and we look forward to continuing to work with you!! 

Steve Yoho, Chair 

 

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Award given to Barbara Barcon for her years of service as Advisory Board chair.

These scholarships were created by the MBA Advisory Board to support new and continuing students in the College of Business MBA programs. The Board was able to award 2 scholarships this year: Maria Casares and Kimberlyn Viertel.

Read more about Maria Casares, Evening MBA and MS Financial Analytics student, and the impact the scholarship has had on her: 

 

Read more about Kimberlyn Viertel, Evening MBA student, and the impact the scholarship has had on her:

 

To learn about opportunities to give and support future scholarships, please connect with Ella Gomez, Development Director.

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Headshot image of Khodr Saleh

 

Mentor's Perspective- Khodr Saleh

How has mentoring in the Graduate Business Mentor Program impacted your own professional growth? Share a specific moment that stands out.

Participating in the Graduate Business Mentor Program has profoundly influenced my professional development since completing my MBA. This experience broadened my perspective, sharpened my communication abilities, and reinforced my commitment to continuous learning. Engaging with diverse mentees challenged me to stay abreast of industry trends, fostering a dynamic exchange of insights. The reciprocal nature of mentorship has been instrumental in my ongoing growth, offering a unique platform to refine leadership strategies, enhance interpersonal skills, and contribute meaningfully to the next generation of business professionals. 

A defining moment occurred when a mentee faced a similar situation to that of my own. The mentee was transitioning from an individual technical contributor slowly into a managerial role. Drawing on my experiences, I guided them through a strategic approach, emphasizing collaboration and adaptability. Witnessing the positive outcome not only reinforced my own expertise but also affirmed the value of mentorship in honing leadership skills. 

In your view, what makes mentorship in this program uniquely valuable for both mentors and mentees? How has it enriched your understanding of MBA students' journeys? 

The unique value of mentorship in this program lies in its dual enrichment for both mentors and mentees. For mentors, the experience provides a fresh perspective on industry dynamics and emerging trends through mentees' unique insights and challenges. This reciprocal exchange of knowledge not only invigorates mentorship but also fosters a dynamic learning environment. I personally learned something new from each of the previous mentees I was engaging with. Conversely, mentees benefit from personalized guidance, gaining real-world insights beyond the classroom. The intimate nature of the mentor-mentee relationship cultivates a supportive ecosystem where trust and open communication flourish. Through their mentor, mentees also can gain access to valuable networks and connections within the industry, potentially opening doors to job opportunities and collaborations. 

Participating in this program has enriched my understanding of the MBA student’s journeys by immersing me in their academic and professional odysseys. Through shared experiences, I’ve gained insight into the evolving landscape of their ambitions, potential career transitions, and their hunger for entrepreneurial pursuits. I’ve also observed some of the mentee’s focused pursuit of goals.  

What would you say to professionals considering becoming mentors? What advice do you have for future mentors? 

To professionals considering becoming mentors, I would emphasize the transformative impact of mentorship. Serving as a mentor provides an opportunity to share knowledge, shape emerging talent, and guide mentees through critical forks in their life, offering insights that can significantly shape their immediate decisions. My advice for future mentors is to embrace short-term engagements with generosity and open mind; prioritize clear communication, set achievable goals, and foster a supportive rapport. Be adaptable, tailoring guidance to mentees' needs, and encourage a proactive approach. The brevity of the program underscores the importance of making a swift and meaningful impact, emphasizing the significance of every interaction. Ultimately, being a mentor is a reciprocal journey—immersing oneself in this dynamic exchange not only benefits mentees but also cultivates personal and professional growth, making the commitment immensely rewarding. 

 

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Headshot photo of Kirsten Miller

Mentee's Perspective- Kirsten Miller

How did the mentorship program provide real-world insights not covered in coursework?  

I was fortunate to be paired with an extremely accomplished mentor with an impressive resume. He provided me with examples of how he identified areas of need in his company and filled those needs without being asked, demonstrating his leadership skills and ability to add value to his organization. This prompted me to evaluate how I can add value to my team as an individual contributor.  

As a manager, he shared insight into how he evaluates resumes, enabling me to optimize my current resume, and begin developing a manager’s mindset should I select that career path.  

 

Share an example of applying your mentor's advice to a real-world situation. How did it contribute to your success or decision-making? 

Within the last six months, my manager approached me about applying to a management position within the company. Obtaining a management position would mean leaving coworkers I greatly enjoy working with and leaving the technical path for the management track. In one of our meetings, Khodr and I discussed techniques for evaluating which career opportunities are a good fit. Therefore, I asked myself some of the questions we discussed which provided me with confidence in my decision.  

 

What advice would you give to future mentees in the program? Did it boost your confidence and guide your career direction? 

Your mentor has invaluable experience that they want to share with you. Put time and effort into setting the agenda for your meetings and ask thoughtful questions to make it easy for them to share their insights with you. It sounds cliché, but you will get out of the program what you put into it. The best way to show your mentor that you appreciate their time is by creating an environment for productive, professional meetings. I am extremely grateful to my mentor for his time, advice, and anecdotes because I know they will stay with me as I continue to navigate my career path.

Our Advisory Board has been offering bi-monthly networking happy hour events in Long Beach encouraging students, staff and alumni to meet in person and expand their networks.  

Please join us! And help us spread the word to other students, staff and alumni...create and expand new relationships, friendships, and industry contacts!!!

Submit your RSVP for the next Mixer on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 5PM-7PM.

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Event Flyer for Networking Mixer scheduled for February 29, 2024 at 5PM-7PM at The Crab Pot Long Beach.

 

 

Check out the images below from the November 2023 mixer!

 

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Image of multiple attendees talking and smiling at the November mixer at the Crab Pot.
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Image of four attendees at the November mixer at the Crab Pot.
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Image of multiple attendees checking-in at the November mixer at the Crab Pot.
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Image of multiple attendees talking to one another at the November mixer at the Crab Pot.

  

 

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Image of six attendees at the November mixer at the Crab Pot.
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Image of four attendees at the November mixer at the Crab Pot.