http://careers.cummins.com/us-canada/mba/strategy-mba-arturo-mijangos
I was featured on Cummins Career website for strategy
Strategy MBA – Arturo Mijangos
Great Time to be Latino?
I read this article in the Harvard Business Review Blog (Hispanic Talent Is the Future for Big Companies) the other day and started pondering about the position that I am in right now as a Latino. One notion that struck really hard was this:
By 2050, Hispanics will represent over half of the nation’s workforce.
I look around at Cummins HQ and we have a much diverse group of people representing almost all nations from around the world. We want to harness as much diversity as possible, I have written about that some time ago.
Tapping into this rapidly-growing pool of workers will require a mix of traditional values and forward-thinking practices. The important role work plays in creating paths for upward mobility in many Hispanics’ lives suggest that companies should emphasize well-thought-out career development options – attractive promotion possibilities and access to resources required to attain them. To the extent possible, career advances should be accompanied by status-related recognition, including titles or other symbolic designations (such as badging) that can be easily shared with an extended community.
The article notes to companies that their future lays in taping into this segment of the population, to do this they will have to change their culture. I would agree that:
- Latinos are a growing demographic in the United States, there is no denying this is true.
- Companies don’t really have a strategy for this demographic, other than going to conferences like NSHMBA.
Having said this, I don’t think that they really need to cater to my demographic; they should be MORE demographic agnostic. Knowing that Latinos like to be recognized, does not mean that as a company we need to have new ways of recognizing. Even worst, targeting Latinos to these programs. I am sure that there are other cultures / demographics / backgrounds that DO NOT like these public demonstrations of recognition. I am not saying that companies would want to abolish the recognition either. Companies need to set guidelines, processes and procedures for the good of the company.
Just like I would not think it would be fair to cater to another demographic element of the population, I would not want the company to put special procedures for me.
Had this article been about how do we recruit Hispanic talent that is currently being lost because companies are not recognized in Hispanic groups. Or how can companies demonstrate they are truly committed to diversity. That would be something that would be compelling, but telling companies they need to change their culture to cater to one group is simply unacceptable.
Your Alumni Network
I still remember the talk during orientation where our group was told the importance of the school’s brand. How we were to go out and remember our school, the students, the professors, and the alumni. We were not just getting a degree, were were being meshed into a network.
I can’t deny that I was excited, I really was. I met second year MBA that were just great. They taught me how to improve my resume, how to go after interviews, they even connected me to other second year students that had worked at places where I wanted to work. I also met faculty and staff that lent a helping hand in finding a place for me. I can’t deny that I also met a few alumni, most older professionals that thought our program was great and wanted to contribute. The one group that I didn’t really see, were recent grads. The people that had graduate year before I started my MBA.
I didn’t give it much thought until I was a second year students, and there were first year students that I thought should meet recent grads that I knew, “my” second year students. I discovered that they were very willing to help, but few were being asked to contribute. They were recent hires, so there were in no position to extend offers. They had very little experience in the field they were working in, so I guess people didn’t think they were important.
I thought differently, I thought that they held key knowledge of how company’s recruited. They knew enough people to connect first year students. They were not influencers, but they were people of trust. They also had all the interview and resume knowledge and could critique the work of MBA Students. They are also the link to past generations of MBA Alumni, and that would grow the overall network.
It has almost been a year since I graduated, so I am a recent grad. I talked to the person responsible for Alumni Affairs and also to the head of MBA placement. I told them that I did not want to be the missing link. I wanted to continue being involved with new students and help in any way possible. I was particularly interested in international students, I being also an international student felt that I could bring some additional knowledge.
Over the past 10 months I’ve been trying to be involved with recruiting for Cummins. I have been able to meet wonderful students, and tried to make myself available to as many as I can. I don’t know all the incoming class, but I do know quite a few. I don’t believe in karma, but I do fell that we need to pay forward for all the help we get in order to get a job.
I would be more than happy to help our school. Regarding the interns, I would be more than happy to talk to them. Feel free to ask them to give me a call anytime and I can talk to them too. — Alumni
The other wonderful think I have discovered is tapping the shoulder of the Alumni Network. I have sent a not to all BYU MBAs at Cummins a personal note, just introducing myself. All have responded positevely. Next I have asked them if they would like to be involved in the recruiting efforts of the company; all have agreed. Right now I know of 15 BYU MBA Alumni that work for Cummins, imagine how the 6 interns this summer will feel when they will meet, face to face or virtually, all of these people. These are Alumni that want their peers to succeed, and before had not participated because they hadn’t been asked.
I now live the teachings from that day in orientation. I can see how I am part of a network bigger than my graduating class. Many times I struggle to expand my network at work, forgetting that there are alumni that are more than happy to connect with me and further my career. I also want to make it explicit that there is an onus on you to be available, to be open, to engender trust to your fellow alumni. It is my hope that we can all be more open and find that strength in OUR alumni network.
3 Down and 1 to go
I really feels like football and I’m on the 3rd down and 1 yard to go.
There are so many things that I have learned in the last 3 semesters that is hard to do a mental re-cap. But there are a few things that I want to write about:
- Living meagerly: As a student with limited employment there is no room for luxury, hey there isn’t room for treats or some basics; but doing so helps you understand so many other things about life. Parents, friends and relatives that help you are able to reach well into your heart. Gifts that in other times, might seem small are now cherished possessions. Getting used clothes, makes you understand how precious donating is. A wrapped gift on your doorstop wipes gray clouds in Christmas.
- Be humble and true: If you are learning about rejection daily you are either single, a student or both. There has never been a time when I’ve gotten rejected by employers so much as the past few months. All the rejection helps you stay humble, know what are your weaknesses and areas where you can do better. The other thing that rejection teaches you is that you need to be true, there are things that you are good at and no one can take them away. I am an experienced individual that has done business in many different countries. I am a person that can understand complex problems and explain them with ease. I am an analytical person that loves to tell the story behind the numbers. Being true and being humble will help you succeed in life, and getting rejected helps you know which are weaknesses and which are strengths.
- Never stop improving: The more people I meet that I see as role models, the more I see that they never stop improving. These individuals read different authors and stories. They are interested in business, art, fiction, technology, humanities, and news. I thought I was good before coming to business school, but I see that I can be so much more. It will take time, it will take effort, but I want to do it. Here I am, writing to an audience of probably zero, when I could be taking a nap, but I just love thinking and expressing my ideas.
- Connecting with people (networking): I’ve written about “Never eat Alone” and about networking, but now I don’t see it as networking I see it as connecting with people. Before coming to business school I met many people, but never did I actually connected with them. Now every time I meet someone, I want to connect with them, I want them to continue to be part of my life. The more I help people, the more blessings that come into my life. I’m so happy to hear good news from the people I know, and I wouldn’t be privileged to hear them if I had never connected with them.
I still have 1 semester to go, one final yard. I’m so happy to have come to BYU and be part of the Marriott MBA experience.
My Tech Tool belt – MBA Edition – Part 1
So now that I’m an MBA student my tech tool belt changed. So what do I use:
Evernote: This is what you would call your long term memory and is especially great at note taking. Taking notes now is a lot different than when I did my Undergrad. You will need to link to power point presentation, PDFs, other documents, etc. Evernote is a great application that can be accessed anywhere from multiple devises. Get it here: http://evernote.com/ Check out all the features here: http://evernote.com/video/ I suggest you read their blog and other use cases so that you get ideas as to how to use it. My system consists of 1 Notebook per class, grouped together under a Semester heading. I add 1 note per lecture and I also add my homework and PDF per reading session. Also make sure you make a notebook for all internship opportunities you find online, and move them from pending application to applied. Also make a note with a text only version of your resume pasted on it for easy access as well as a note with all your S.T.A.R. Stories so that you can have them top of mind as you wait to go into an interview.
Evernote Web Clipper & Clearly: You will do most of your research online and you need a tool to help you out. I like Evernote’s web clipper, mainly because it will be saved to your evernote account. I just tag each clip with #research. The other thing I like to use is Clearly which is also an addon to your browser. Here is a comparison:
You can get these great addons here: http://evernote.com/webclipper/ and here: http://evernote.com/clearly/
Dropbox: This application is my resent memory for all I do. Is a cloud storage solution and has great collaboration functions. It has gotten some heat for not being extremely secure, but for school work is good enough and will make you very efficient. How to use it, make a folder in your computer with the name of the semester, and a sub-folder for each class. Add the folder to your dropbox account (I use this plugin to do this quickly: http://satyadeepk.in/dropbox-folder-sync/) and now anytime you want access to a file you can get it from your computer or from the web, including your phone.
Now for collaboration. You can have a team folder and all will be able to access all the files from that folder. No more sending large files to and from emails. One thing Dropbox is not very good a it and that is working on the same file, when you save it creates one file for each version of the opened file. Now if you keep updating it, it does create a version history (the free account keeps the versions for 30 days).
You can get the some extra space if you download from here: http://db.tt/qqf3Cdm after you register and download the app make sure you take a look at other ways you can increase you storage.
Remember the Milk: If you need more than a nudge to get things done consider Remember the Milk. This website/app has everything you need to manage your tasks. I especially like the hooks to google calendar, ipad app, and text messages. You can sign up for it here: https://www.rememberthemilk.com/signup/ One of the best things are lists based on search terms, so you can have one that says “Readings for Today” and another one for “Readings for Tomorrow”. Also have one that says “HW due this week.”
Crashplan: The last bit I want to cover on this post is a good backup solution. There are a few options for free that range from limited time to limited space. Crashplan’s free option is to backup to an external drive or computer. Don’t be that guy that loses all his files the day before they are due. Leave your drive at home and you should have enough backup protection. Remember the backup rule:
- 3 copies of everything
- 2 types of media
- 1 is of site
With the previous solutions you should have data in Evernote, dropbox, crashplan and your PC. You are using Hard Drive (PC and Crashplan) and Internet (Evernote and Dropbox). You always have 1 copy away from your physical location. So sign up here: http://www.crashplan.com/consumer/crashplan.html
Stay tuned, next I’ll add more technology to your tool belt including: All things Google, All Things MS Office, PDFs, and later I’ll take a dive into Skype, Prezy, GIMP and Inkscape.
Erwin Miller
In the search for character and commitment, we must rid ourselves of our inherited, even cherished biases and prejudices. Character, ability and intelligence are not concentrated in one sex over the other, nor in persons with certain accents or in certain races or in persons holding degrees from some universities over others. When we indulge ourselves in such irrational prejudices, we damage ourselves most of all and ultimately assure ourselves of failure in competition with those more open and less biased.” — J. Irwin Miller
I will have to agree, but I have always known that character, ability and intelligence are traits inherited from Our Father in Heaven.
Internship – Relocating
