Extracurricular Activites
Association of Information Systems (AIS) – The Association of Information Systems is a student professional organization at the Fox School of Business at Temple University. The purpose of AIS is to promote the study and practice of management information systems, develop professional skills within our field, and provide networking opportunities. The organization hosts guest speakers often, organizes professional development workshops weekly, and participates in social and community service activities frequently. I have been an active member of AIS since the Spring 2013 semester and I am currently the Vice President of Professional Development for the 2013-2014 academic year. This role involves reaching out to professionals in the industry to get more involved in our organization, organizing professional development workshops, and communicating with all guest speakers who attend our meetings. Within AIS, I mentor three MIS students through the Mentorship Program. If you are are professional looking to speak to our organization, please feel free to contact me at any time and I would be happy to arrange a meeting for you to attend.
International Business Association (IBA) – The International Business Association is a student professional organization at the Fox School of Business at Temple University. The purpose of the IBA is to enhance students’ professional development in the area of International Business, prepare members for employment after graduation, and promote social development through professional and personal interaction. We host professional speakers at our weekly events, volunteer for local and international charities, and plan social events for our members. I was an active member of the IBA for two academic years, where I attended weekly meetings, events, and volunteer activities. I was also part of the Human Resource Committee, which is an executive committee within the organization that designs, organizes, and carries out all IBA events. In addition to being a member of the organization and the Human Resource Committee, I shadowed the vice president for the entire 2011-2012 school year to gain more leadership experience.
Business Honors Student Association (BHSA) – The Business Honors Student Association is a student professional organization within the Fox School of Business at Temple University that is open selectively to Business Honors Students with a minimum GPA of 3.7 or higher. This organization strives to create a sense of community within the Business Honors Program with an array of activities. We host professional development programs, volunteer for local organizations and explore Philadelphia through social events. I joined BHSA when I was accepted to the Business Honors Program in the Fall 2011 semester. I attend meetings regularly and participate in events whenever possible. My favorite BHSA event was “Boo at the Zoo” where we handed out candy to children at the Philadelphia Zoo during Halloween time.
Mexican Cultural Center of Philadelphia – The Mexican Cultural Center of Philadelphia promotes the understanding of Mexican Culture, as well as holds events to increase community involvement within the Mexican community in surrounding areas. This organization is important to citizens of Mexican decent because it allows them to practice their culture in the United States and even teach their children about the traditions and values they represent. I have been volunteering with the Mexican Cultural Center since Spring 2011 and I plan to continue to build relationships with the organization, as well as the Hispanic community. Volunteering for this organization is much different than volunteering for Temple organizations, because it allows me to get out on my own and experience new things. I love participating in its events because it allows me to improve my Spanish while learning about a new culture. I truly believe that the only way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in their culture, and while I am living in the United States, I found that this is one way to get involved. Some of the events I participated in are the San Mateo Carnavelero, Children’s Day at the Please Touch Museum, and the Mexican Independence Day at Penn’s Landing.
People To People Student Ambassadors – People to People is an organization that was launched in 1956 by Dwight D. Eisenhower, who believed that he could promote cultural understanding of people around the world and increase world peace by connecting ordinary citizens from different parts of the globe. This organization offers life changing experiences to students, educators and professionals with educational programs nationally and internationally. I am proud to say that in the Summer of 2007 I traveled to China as a People to People Student Ambassador. The trip lasted a little less than three weeks, and I had the opportunity to travel throughout China, specifically these cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Hong Kong, Suzhou, and one small village. Besides the thousands of pictures, amazing cuisine, and memories that will last a lifetime, I gained something much more important from this trip: life skills. I can go on for hours about the things I’ve learned from this amazing experience, but I will give you just one example. Since the tuition was very expensive, they didn’t offer financial assistance, and my parents could not afford to pay for the trip, I knew that I had to raise all of the money by myself. For months prior to the trip, I spent hours every week making chocolate treats to sell, writing sponsorship letters, and working at a local diner to cover all expenses of the trip. In less than twelve months I exceeded my goal and rose over $10,000, which covered all expenses and left me with enough spending money for the entire three weeks.
*Click links above to learn more about each organization.
Case Competitions: I also enjoy competition in case competitions when I have free time during the semester. So far I have competed at two at Temple University. My first competition was the Target Case Competition in the Spring 2011 semester. My second competition was the Deloitte Federal Technology Case Competition in Spring 2012. Myself and my teammate placed third out of ten teams.