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

Well- my company doesn't have anything to do with this - it's not their program.  It's just me.  I just happen to work at a Fortune 500 company.  So it's not funded by them, I won't be on their time, using any company materials... blah, blah, blah.  Just me.  33yr old, degreed Black chick in upper middle management at a big company here to tell you what I've seen that I need YOU to know NEVER to do....... and I know what I am talking about because 1 - I've never been fired from a job 2- I've never interviewed for a job I didn't get an offer for and 3 - I've interviewed hundreds of people over my years and the problems are still there - so WE are going fix them together.

My thought is there are still a lot of people who are 1st generation grads or who may want to enter Corporate America but have few to no models within their family to really talk to them about how it 'works' - my mother worked for IBM for 35 years - that's how I learned how it gets done. And I had some of her corporate friends talk to me along the way - so I figured I would do the same - just me, no corporate sponsor. 

T, I was in HR for YEARS and I can feel you on this.  I agree you will have a challenge because it may be seen as discriminatory.  So...sheeeet happens.We need this in our community. 

I say, first pray on it Trina and let the Holy Spirit lead you.  Let Him put the words in your mouth and movements in your step.  Secondly, go for it!!!   You don't need to see the whole plan now.  Okay, think of it this way.  If you were driving from Cali to NY in the dark, your headlights would only shine about 200 yards out (or so) and 200 yards at a time you will get there without seeing the whole trip at one time.  Step by step. Mile by mile.  In the interim, God will give you the map.  He is the GPS and He will lead you so, fear not and just proceed!!    If God gave you this vision, this is His plan for you.  GO FOR IT!!!!

HBCU HANDS DOWN!!!

In getting my daughter educated I've found that all groups ethnic, religious, etc are advocating for their own.  Even our tax dollar paid school guidance counselors are biased and overlook our kids.  I've experienced minority counselors who down right openly discriminate against Black youth and favor their own.  I can tell my tale but thats not what you asked for.  Just once, I'll stick with the subject matter .

We need our own advocates.  No one else will look after the interest of our future generations but us.  Look around you at community organizations.  It is by us for us regardless of who they may be.  No one is going to invite our kids in if we don't give them what they need.  

What you plan to do is commendable regardless of where you choose to do it.   

  thanks!!!!  I get a kick out of 'molding' people - that's why I'm a manager!  LOL  Several people I've had work for me in the past are enjoying pretty good careers these days.  And I've turned my current staff into a damned fine team, if I do say so myself. 

I remember the summer program I attended at TSU as a Junior, Priscilla Slade was Dean of the Business college then, it was a full week 24/7 and had all kinds of activities and workshops.  We went to Hewiit Packard in Dallas - I will never forget it - they were doing a workshop with us and posed a hypothetical question on how to handle a business project situation - other folk gave their answers, but when I gave mine, the guy said 'And that's why you will be successful in business - you see the big picture'  that moment confirmed for me that business would be my 'thing'...... I'm hoping to give someone else that moment. 

It's selfish really - I wanna be able to say 'SEE!  They are great cause *I* helped!!!'

Ok, I misunderstood I thought you were looking for corporate funds to support the venture.  Good luck.

I agree with you 100% MSW that we need OUR own advocates. Unfortunately for US, we tend to be OUR own worst enemies. I mean this can be a wonderful program that  MM is proposing; however, when it comes to providing financial backing....."poof" we disappear!  Unless she  plans to come out of her own pocket (I am sure she will if needed but she shouldn't have to... ) or has the financial backing lined up, she will need develop a plan that is inclusive in order to get at certain funding.  Unless a funding mechanism is specifically targeted to a certain population, the plan must not appear discriminatory (as mentioned earlier).  I really think that if HBCU is her passion....she should start her own LLC and BUMP the HR Manager...go directly to the decision maker at the HBCU. Give them a free sample of a session ....take them to lunch on her dime (you know we like a free lunch...LOL!) and set up the rest of the agenda!!! MM can do it....I can tell she's a CLOSER.....shioot bet she could sell The President of PETA...one of Michael Vick's old dingy arse football jersey!!! 

I hear you on we being our own enimies and on the funding issue too.   I think both can be overcome.  I don't have experience with HBCU's but I've worked for a few fortune five's and multi nationals.  I'v been sucked into programs that involved colleges. 

This could be a very low cost venture.  The institution will provide the space for free.  I'd be surprised if it did not.  With a place to teach, as sponsor time is donated.  Invitations for field trips are solicited from local companies.  Time is money, but ther is no cash outlay from the corporation you visit.  They just need two or three managers to participate for an hour or so. 
Then there are the corporations with community based project funding.  You hit them up for a piece of the pot for materials.   Nearly all banks have these funds available.  Now's the time to hit them up for the Spring. 

I really belive the low cost potential of this venture will make it work.  These are adults so they get to the trip site on their own.  If they can' make the meeting on time they are out of luck, just professional training in practice. 

Trina, I wish you every success with this. 

Gurl...thats a nice business plan right there!....I think my mind always shoot to global (hence the funding talk)...but you are right...in the start up ....it should not be as much of an issue to implement at low cost.   She will do well regardless.

You can share with the HR manager that the HBCU population is where you see the greatest need for these skills and you would like to help close that gap.  Maybe if you frame your desire to teach at the HBCU in a light that makes the company look like it's doing a community outreach program, it will be good PR for you.  My company takes great pride in their committment to diversity.  They actively recruit qualified minority candidates and mentor them.  Every department has a diversity representative who attends quarterly meetings and then brings that training back to share at staff meetings. 

I feel you - but me and the HR manager are actually doing this alone - leadership here right now thinks enrichment is back burner or off the plate.  Both she and I have complete handle of our positions and are doing very well - but we want a challenge, enrichment, something to drive us.

So - I'm going to stick with her on the general program.  It's at my old school, so I'm familiar with the need there, too.  I will make it my own project for the HBCU - I can't explain why completely but *I* really want to talk about the issues/situations that happen for US, how we can be perceived - because it IS different for us - even though it's 2009, we have a Black president, blah, blah, blah - it's NOT the same. 

I'll have to figure out how to make this work - I'm not going to feel 'right' till I do..... thanks for your reply!!!