Monday, May 11, 1998
LBSA benefits help students succeed in business world
CAREERS: Organization provides Latinas/os with needed outreach,
services
By Claudia Flores
Daily Bruin Contributor
In 1994, while many university students enjoyed the benefits
that their campus business organizations provided, Latina/o
students at UCLA had no business support groups or
organizations.
Jaime Reyes, at the time a political science and economics
student, felt the strain from the lack of resources available for
business students. He responded by founding the Latina/o Business
Student Association (LBSA).
"I wanted to create a club that would empower the business
students and have community outreach," Reyes said.
"With the help of Victoria Martinez, a Career Center counselor,
and the sponsorship of the Career Center, the organization grew to
be the success it is today," he added.
LBSA began with only three students in 1994 and has now grown to
a body of over 200 members.
"Our goals are specifically to increase awareness of career
opportunities as a result of there being so many available for us,"
said David Saenz, LBSA president. "We want to organize highly
educated, success oriented individuals to act as a networking
resource."
"We also provide information regarding the business world, and
most importantly we promote academic success, professionalism and
leadership skills," Saenz added.
LBSA’s focus is on reaching out to the Latino community,
primarily on business-related issues. The association also offers
services to the community through their high school tutorial
programs.
LBSA, along with other business organizations nationwide, takes
the time to discuss many issues, goals and accomplishments
affecting them every year at the National Hispanic Business Student
Leadership Conference (NHBSLC) held in Austin, Texas.
Last year marked the inaugural attendance by LBSA. External Vice
President Omar Marroquin attended the highly acclaimed weekend
conference.
"I have seen LBSA grow a lot. It is interesting to see the
members go on to become professionals with the support they have
received from the association," Martinez said.
"It has really evolved since it first began, and I have really
enjoyed working with them. LBSA was the first group the Career
Center has ever sponsored, and so they serve as a role model for
other groups now sponsored by the Career Center," Martinez
added.
LBSA increases awareness of career opportunities through
sponsoring numerous events such as Career Night. In these events,
LBSA invites professionals who work in a particular industry to
speak. They search for speakers who can act as role models and
resources for the students.
Last Thursday, for example, LBSA sponsored Media Night at the
Career Center. Professionals from KMEX-TV and Telemundo, both
Spanish television networks, were invited as guest speakers to the
event.
Among them were UCLA graduate and Director of Research Mari-Aala
Massakas, Account Executives Jose Luis Padilla and Raul Rodriguez,
and sports reporter Bernardo Osuna.
Professional Latinos such as these help bridge the gap between
Latino students and business in the media. They are living proof
that there is a place in the corporate world for Latinos.
One example is how account executives help to inform people that
the Latino consumer has significant buying power, and that a large
percentage of the Southern California population is not being
reached by companies through English-speaking advertisers.
As an account executive, Padilla recognizes firsthand the
difficulties which must be overcome to attain success.
"In high school and through the course of my college career, I
was merely learning what the university taught us, but I realized I
needed to learn skills unattainable through the classroom.
Therefore, professional mentoring is necessary," Padilla said.
"That is why we as professionals get involved, and take time out
of our schedules to speak to students. In order for students to
reach their goal in the media, I advise them to be persistent and
show their enthusiasm. That would be the No. 1 thing to do," he
added.
Students agree that information presented by these guest
speakers urges them to stay focused because it helps them realize
that receiving a diploma is just the beginning.
LBSA continues to work hard to retain the success it has
achieved so far, and Reyes still feels a sense of pride when he
sees the club put in that effort.
"It feels good to see something you began getting better every
year. LBSA was beneficial to me because it worked as an avenue for
me to practice theories of business like how to run a company when
I learned how to run a club," Reyes said.
"You learn how to delegate work, raise money – pretty much, as a
professional, I do all of those things. The only difference now is
that I get paid for it," he added.