River City Professionals

Tuesday evening, my buddy Erik and I attended a social networking event put on by a group called the River City Professionals. The group was recommended to me by Elizabeth Keserauskis, the marketing director here on campus. I was hesitant at first, but was pleased when I got there and realized how fun and easy going the group was. Everyone there had intentions of meeting new people and making new friends.

As the night went on, Erik and I met more and more interesting people. Some were offering us advice on how to start our careers, while others were introducing us to others they had met involved in our fields. By nights end, we had both met more people than we could remember, got some business cards of local professionals, and had stayed much longer than we had originally intended. It’s safe to say it was a decision I did not regret, and will certainly attend again. If your goal is to expand your network and met engaging people in a socially relaxed atmosphere, I would highly recommend the River City Professionals.

The Best Organization to Join—AMA

I am proud to be a part of the greatest organization in the SIUE School of Business, the American Marketing Association (AMA)—SIUE Chapter.  For the next few weeks there will be plenty of events and activities students on campus can be a part of. 

The American Marketing Association is an organization that promotes and participates in social networking, fundraisers, church-drives, BBQs, other school functions.  This is a great way to meet new students on campus, network with career professionals and employers outside the school setting with real-world experiences and corporate perspectives.  This is also a place where students can receive help in building their resumes and advice on how to market themselves to employers after graduation.  

The best attribute about joining AMA is that it is open to all students, regardless of majors.  They do not ask for much, except for your creative ideas and ways you can help market the organization better for future AMA members, and your dues for permanent status.

An event that I will be in attendance for next Tuesday is the social networking night hosted by AMA and featuring an employer from Rent-A-Car Enterprise Co.  It takes place on March 30^th at 5pm in Founders Hall Room 0101.  I encourage students to attend this event with me.   Other event that the AMA is proud to be a part of is the annual National Student AMA Conference that will be located in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend; however, I wish my fellow members a great and safe trip, bring back plenty of awards!

I encourage current students to join this year since we are in the process of our office elections, if not, defiantly Fall 2010.  The organization is always looking forward to new members to join.

Guest Speaker at SIUE Discusses Economic Crisis

Arthur Lindo, associate director and chief accountant of Banking Supervision and Regulation for the Federal Reserve Board speaking at SIUE.

Guest speaker Arthur Lindo, associate director and chief accountant of Banking Supervision and Regulation for the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C., spoke on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 about Loan Losses & Illiquid Markets: Implications for Lending & Economic Recovery.

Lindo compared the crisis and what went on to his basement. He stated that during the height of the crisis they were working seven days a week and on weekends he worked from home. He called his basement his sanctuary because this is where he worked and took calls when he didn’t have to physically be in the office.

Lindo when on to discuss how he feels that asset values are depressed at the moment and that they may not reflect the true value.  Lindo pointed out that accountants and bankers should be able to “construct and de-construct” asset portfolios in ways that allow regulators and shareholders to have a clearer picture of the true value of assets.

Lindo stated that, “accounting should report the news, it shouldn’t be the news”. He also feels that the current accounting model is flawed. Lindo also stressed that accounting needs to become more “forward-looking.” As a profession, accounting has tended to look back at what happened to tell part of a story, he said.

This was an excellent presentation and was a great opportunity to get out and network with alumni and businesses from the community as well as meet people at SIUE. I love the fact that SIUE always offers ways for its students to become involved on campus both academically and socially.

Network, Network, Network!

First of all the definition, or my definition, of network is when students and/or business professionals go out of their way and meet people, potential contacts, or clients.  Networking is essential when you get to college because that is how you meet potential employers and how you get your name out there so you can have more opportunities for when you graduate!  I have kinda learned that it’s not about what you know, it’s WHO you know.  That is how the world seems to work and I am sure that you will realize that once you are a year or two away from graduation.

Now is more important than ever to get yourself out there and comfortable with meeting new people, I guess if you are an incoming freshmen and are reading this times may change by the time you graduate (hopefully!) because the job market is looking pretty poor right about now.  However, opportunities are out there if a person looks hard enough, which is what I have been trying to do for the past several weeks!  I was actually very privileged a few weeks ago because I was able to go to the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce dinner with the Dean of the School of Business, Gary Giamartino.  This was a dinner where all sorts of business people, or ‘big wigs’, get together and have dinner and talk with one another.  I actually randomly met a guy who worked with my dad 20 years ago!!  I am originally from Jacksonville, but Mark W. is now an attorney who lives in Edwardsville and says he has a lot of contacts around the area so I am hoping and praying that something good comes out of this experience!

This was just one of several occurrences that I have encountered when I actually get out of my comfort zone and try and network and present myself to complete strangers, it is always a great experience.