You have your degree, but now what? Putting your greatest foot forward is a fantastic approach to impress possible employers. To that end, the Latina Alumnae Mentorship Program recently hosted a networking and etiquette dinner benefiting Whittier College students and alumnae.
The event at Set Restaurant in Uptown Whittier is among the programs LAMP uses to connect Latina students with pro help to aid guide and encourage them down educational and specialized paths.
Established 3 years ago by Whittier College alumna Rosemary Donoyan, LAMP engages equally Latina students and Latina alumnae to provide collaborative opportunities that foster community involvement, self empowerment and career improvement.
“Students ought to acquire self-confidence and expertise to be able to get ready for their careers upon graduation,” explained Donoyan, 26, of Yorba Linda. “Many of these students are first-generation graduates and don’t have parents to rely on for professional support and encouragement.”
Co-hosting the occasion was Nadine Barragan, 22, of Pico Rivera, from the Class of `09.
“We want those here to feel confident in themselves, and a single method to do that may be to show them the best way to properly behave in a social setting,” she explained.
The 35 participants, including some males, sat at tables with table settings, wherever they learned about which utensils to utilize, conversational tips and other table manners employed although eating.
“You never know if an employment interview will take place throughout a dinner meeting,” Barragan claimed.
“Through leadership workshops, guest speakers, networking events and informal mentoring,” Donoyan stated, “LAMP’s major objective would be to get ready and encourage Latina students to set and achieve ambitious career objectives.”
Mentorship from alumnae professionals sharing similar backgrounds and cultures is essential, she claimed.
“Whittier alumnae included in LAMP produce essential career guidance towards the young ladies following in their footsteps,” Donoyan said. “Their mentees are in a position to produce marketable abilities that support them excel each professionally and personally.”
The Program has been invaluable to upcoming Whittier grads Maria Alba, 22, of Azusa, and Carmen Chaidez, 22, of Pico Rivera.
“The mentoring aspect element on the method has been the most significant for me,” explained Alba, who would be the training coordinator for that 99 Cents Only Store corporate office.
“They gave me the knowledge to be prepared for the organization globe,” she claimed. “I felt more comfortable walking into employment interviews due to what I discovered with LAMP.”
Chaidez, a Best Buy sales clerk, joined the program her freshman year because of the mentorship factor of LAMP.
“I looked to them for guidance, and I have not been disappointed,” she stated. “The self-confidence degree gained may be invaluable.”