The Int’l Business Panel Event held on Wednesday, March 5, 2003 was very special:Our seventh annual Int’l (International) Business Panel was offered in the evening to allow night students who work during the day an opportunity to attend. About 120 students attended the event, filling the teleconference center (LC155).
We had three exceptional panelists: Kelly Carroll from Starbucks, Inc., Gabrielle Reynolds from EZ Cater, Inc. and we had a panelist speak to us via teleconferencing from New Zealand – John Fanselow, President of International Pacific University.
In addition, three Int’l Business Panel Scholarships were presented making it a very special evening – two $500 scholarships and one $200 scholarship. Originally, only two $500 scholarships were planned, but after reviewing the applications, we had three outstanding students to whom we wanted to give scholarships, so we went out and found an additional $200 scholarship from a private donation. The two $500 scholarships were donated by De Bilio Distributors, Inc. of Anaheim and the Job Placement/Career Services at Cerritos College. We hope to continue to offer Int’l Business Panel Scholarships.
Our three scholarship recipients: Clara de la Rosa Gonzalez S., Deborah A. Edwards, and Aura M. Potes were acknowledged at the Int’l Business Panel, with their awards to be presented to them on Thursday, March 13, at the Cerritos College Foundation meeting. Our awardees are three scholastically outstanding and well deserving students who aspire to work in the global arena. They serve as excellent role-models for all of us.
“What is the Int’l Business Panel?”The purpose of the Panel is three fold:1. To connect with professionals from the business community and to invite them to speak about their careers and experiences,2. to introduce employment and career opportunities in the field of international business, and3. to expand our way of thinking – to think not just locally but also globally.
The Int’l Business Panel Event is a collaborative effort between divisions, departments, and individuals on campus on campus. I applaud the cooperation among the faculty members from the Business and Humanities/Social Science Divisions, and Counseling. I am especially grateful for the active participation of Ron Christie, Instructional Dean of Business who acted as our MC for the evening; all of the faculty members who served on the Int’l Business Panel Committee; students John Garcia and Devi Phat from Phi Theta Kappa; and students from the International Students Club.
After the event, students wrote and said that the event has motivated them to seriously consider a career in international business. The panelists emphasized the important roles of volunteer service, networking, education, internships, and learning from our experience. They said that we need to pursue the area or major that we have passion for, applying determination and enthusiasm while building critical skills from our work experience. This will lead us down a road to success!
Submitted by Christina The, Student Placement Specialist, X2367
