OT: A project I want to do - but I'm scared (yea, I said it)

So - I've been kicking around the notion of working with college students on understanding Corporate America - from the interview to the on the job office politic game.  I finally feel as if i have the pedegree to prove I'm a solid leader and that my career and track record prove I can provide valuable information in this area.

The HR manager here at my job wants to do the same thing - she's even got a possible contact at my alma mater (sorta) and said she'd heard they are looking for someone at a big company to do just this type of thing. 

When I first thought up my idea - I wanted to do it at an HBCU here in town - because far too many candidates from there interview poorly (in my experience) I'd attended a business related summer program there as a junior in high school and things i learned there helped shape me into the leader I am today.  The University the HR manager has the contact with is not the HBCU I had in mind.

And um - the HR manager is not Black.  So - my idea for the HBCU is angled specifically for how BLACKS survive and thrive in the business world - the other is a lot more general. 

So - I am not far enough along that I have to choose - but to be honest, the generic one will be easy - the HBCU is the long shot - I'm thinking they may not give a flip, take me seriously or folks may not even show up......

whatcha think?

Hey MM,

Wow! I think it's great that you want to "give back" or "help others". I would say follow your heart with what you really want but don't have limitations. Maybe you can use the general one to get you ready for what you really want.

idk ~ just my 2 cents.

thanks for that...... good point.  I can develop it and road test it, then be that much sharper for the HBCU. 

I think you should contact the alumni center at the HBCU where you would like to mentor.  Explain to them that your services are being volunteered and that you specficially wanting to target their students for advancement in corporate america.  I would ask if there is a possiblity of you putting together a presentation and being given the opportunity to present during a career fair or something of that nature.   Students would then have the opportunity to get with you afterwards for a more focused one on one.  I think you should move in the direction that your heart leads you...there is a reason its speaking so specficially!

You could have the professors tell the students that they will get extra grade  points for attending,  let me tell you they will show up then.

I think it's a good idea,  there are not enough black faces in leadership roles on campus.  You have to also remember that you won't just be addressing kids,  there is a huge older and middle age community in school now a days.  

Also because you will be speaking at a university level the younger people tend to be a bit more serious than those at junior colleges.

Mack Mama,

This is a wonderful idea! My personal opinion is that you should go for the general program...get ALL on board...outreach to ALL....and then when its solid....give em the hook AND track down the HBCUs to get them in the loop.  I think it would also be a good idea to get the Director of Career and Placement at whatever school you are targeting..involved and invested from the door.  In most cases, they are the ones holding the purse strings for these type of programs! To start that rapport...I would simply show up at a JOB FAIR....and track that person down.....start off with a nice...low key introduction AND then make the follow up with that person...now someone that already has an OPEN mind. ( I am sure you know that part....just said that to keep my flow).  Good luck to you!!! 

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!!!  Do it.  This is soo needed Trina. Do it!

I would say the HBCU would probably benefit more from that sort of thing.  However, I would advise that you approach it not from what your original intention is.  I wouldn't even suggest going at it from a helping the "black school", but perhaps a different angle.  Play the demographics of the school, average income of parents of tuition, etc.  All of the information regarding the economic status of the student demographic should be available online.

I feel you Brenda - BUT - the problem I REALLY want to address is specific to Blacks. 

I'd thought of contacting the National Pan-Hellenic Council or NAACP  on the campus and working through it that way.  It really is my point and passion to address US specifically - I know I can help other folk - but I REALLY want to help US.  It kills me that I JUST, for the first time in my career, hired a Black candidate - and was suprised at how groomed and polished she is - that should be the NORM - I've had far too many 'sister girl' interviews, 'help a bruh out' or just unpolished crap.  They need to know what it's REALLY about - not just classroom but boardroom, feel me?

I'm going to pursue the general program, no doubt - but I know I won't be happy until I can work it out the way I really want to do it. 

You can still achieve that objective focussing on US without queuing your job that its not general.  I am trying to set up a program through our offices here for North Forest ISD.  As you now its an African American school district, but the presentation I made was based on the fact that it was a disenfranchised district and I used information on the median income for the area, the drop out rate, etc.  Just food for thought!