CHANGED FOREVER

ANYBODY CAN DO IT WITH A LITTLE HELP

 

Amidst the number of job boards and career fairs available in today’s world, networking is still the best mechanism for landing jobs, according to Scott Greenhalgh, manager of Alumni Career Services. Statistics agree.

When Greenhalgh began working for the BYU Alumni Career Services more than 20 years ago, technology was a little different: boom boxes played the best music and Google hadn’t even been created. At that time, networking filled 80% of the jobs. (Forbes.com)

Today, technology has drastically changed. Facebook, Twitter, email, and instant messaging among other social media are primary methods of communication. However, experts still claim that 80% of jobs are filled by networking. (About.com)

While we’ve changed our clothes and what we plug our headphones into, one of the standards we’ve maintained is the fact that physical connections with real people are key.

Greenhalgh travels the country meeting with representatives from numerous companies, such as AT&T, Discover, Exxon, Fidelity, KSL, Proctor and Gamble, Texas Instruments and many more. He recruits BYU alumni from each of these companies to sign up for the Alumni Mentoring Partnership (AMP). AMP acts as a diving board into the business world; it provides interested individuals with an instant connection in companies throughout the nation.

“We’ve learned that each of us can make a difference. We may not be able to do everything, but we can each do something. We have come to fully understand what Gandhi meant when he said “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” We’re trying to live integrated lives, not isolated lives…and make a difference in the world around us,” said Warner Woodworth, global social entrepreneur and faculty member at the Marriott School of business…and BYU alumnus.

Still wondering what BYU connections can do for you? There are dozens of examples that demonstrate the benefit different connections can make.

Nobody wants to miss that kind of opportunity. It could change your life forever.

CONVERSING WITH AN ALUMNUS

TRIED AND TRUE STRATEGIES

BYU alumnus Bart Howell is a seasoned sales and marketing professional. Even as a young salesman, he won top sales honors year after year. He grew a company from $5 million to nearly $40 million organically in 6 years. Later, he built his own company in CD/DVD manufacturing, printing, and B2B marketing. This company, Media Fast, has prospered for 22 years, yet—amidst all his success—Howell still devotes time to giving back.

Howell sat down with the Alumni Career Services to discuss some of the strategies that have proven consistently productive in his career and that he passes on to others through his opportunities to mentor.

Why is mentoring important?

It’s been my experience that most successful people in life or in business have someone they call their mentor. Many times it is a parent or other close relative. Other times it is a professor, first employer or a business associate. Mentors can help beginners avoid serious mistakes that can ruin a business or a family’s financial well being.

Mentors can tell you what you don’t know. Avoiding mistakes or taking advantage of opportunities that were previously unknown help a business grow faster and build stability along the way.

You have been mentoring job seekers and young entrepreneurs for going on three years now. What kind of advice do you give?

More than business-help, a good mentor will also give “life advice” that facilitates balance and good values in a person. Strong values help in making good decisions. A person with good values will attract others with similar values and together as a team will build a successful company.

Many times it is just a maxim or a motto that can inspire in times of struggle and uncertainty given by a mentor that provides enough encouragement and faith to continue on after a hard day, week or month.

Other times a mentor helps without knowing by being an example and acting professionally and courteously regardless of the situation.

We often presume the recipient of service gets the most out of it. One doesn’t have to look very far to see a different perspective. What do you think?

Many times the mentor learns just as much from the mentee he or she teaches. Seeing others succeed and prosper as a result of your advice or encouragement is extremely rewarding. Being a mentor is a very tangible way to “pay-back” the help and example you received during your career. It perpetuates the ideal and dream of a successful life and business.

The Alumni Mentoring Partnership has been put in place to help students and alumni easily gain access to professionals with this kind of knowledge and a similar outlook on giving back through mentoring. So, if you like what you’ve read thus far, check us out: alumnicareers.byu.edu/amp/