Winter 2009
The Southern Sun
Issue V - Page 1
Commemorating LDI’s Success
The Official Newsletter of CA Southern Section FBLA
FBLA annual leadership institute hosted amid Southern Section Recap the adventures LDI granted ‘fueling your future!’ By Erik Nguyen President
Leadership Development Institute (LDI) South was a huge success. This year we had one of the highest attendance rates, and I hope to see that trend follow for Section and State. For those that went, I hope you all had a great time, as the section officers
of Southern, Gold Coast, and Inland Sections worked hard to put the event together. However, I’m sure you’ll be hearing more about LDI in our newsletter and from all your friends. For those who weren’t able to go, I strongly encourage you to attend next year. Let’s take a glance
at upcoming events. Southern Section is proud to present the LA Kings Sports Marketing Event on January 9. This event will even include a business tour of the Staples Center, including places only the basketball players would be able to visit. More information about this event will arrive soon, so be on
the lookout. Also, next year’s Southern Section Application will be arriving shortly. We are working on publishing those very soon. Please note that the 2009 Southern Section Conference has been moved to March 6. Hope to see each of you there! southernpresident@cafbla.org
Maximize your potential
Find out ways to divide your events to maximize your school’s potential. By Raymond Lee Vice President
show a strong passion and desire for particular events should be given priority. One way your individual chapter sucFurthermore, there are some students ceed is to have as many people qualify and who stand out in their talents. Guide these compete in higher students to the events that they level conferences. would do well in! There are mulTo do so, divide the tiple math-related events, speech numerous numbers events and even language relatof events for stued events that talented students dents based on their should be encouraged to join. willingness, talents One way you can let them and interests. know of these kinds of events Students who will Expanding Interests Unsure is by putting events into differhow to approach the competitive compete should un- events? Conduct some research to ent categories that are easier for derstand that this is expand your knowledge and repre- people to distinguish. another priority they sent your school However, don’t simply let must consider. Like students apply just based on tala class, they should be willing to sacrifice ent and skill. FBLA is here to provide an time and effort to get to know the material. opportunity for everyone, so allow some Fortunately, the fruits of their success spots to be taken by students who want to will be seen once they are recognized on experiment or are interested. top of a podium in front of hundreds of Hope you succeed as a chapter, and see students across our district. Students who you at Southern Section Conference! southernvp@cafbla.org
Winter 2009
Five simple steps to an Internship Employers always want to hire people with experience yet how does a prospective employee obtain experience without a job? Fortunately, there is an answer: simply find an internship. Advice By Judy Park Secretary/Treasurer
Understand the benefits of an internship:
Some benefits may include job shadowing opportunities, hands-on business experience, boosting your resume, and even as simple as getting paid!
Find businesses that offer internships:
Most difficult step of the whole process. In the order from easiest to hardest, I would suggest...
Issue V - Page 2
FBLA Upcoming Events & Deadlines Compiled By Emily Tian Public Relations Officer
Jan. 9 LA Kings Sports Marketing Conference at Staples Center Jan. 15 Skill events, school-site testing forms for section conference - REQUEST DEADLINE Feb. 3 Membership deadline to be eligible for Section Conferences - MONEY RECEIVED Feb. 9 Section Conference Registration RECEIVED
• • • • •
Find connections (relatives, family friends, neighbors, even teachers) Search for established programs (i.e. Bank of America Student Leaders) Visit your school career center or counseling office (resources for internships, jobs, and Regional Occupational Programs) Search the web (tedious, I know) Pick up the phone (newspaper classified ads, Chamber of Commerce directory)
Obtain the internship:
You will probably need to submit a resume and cover letter and go through an interview process. Make sure that your resume and cover letter are professional, and convey your competency and passion for business.
Feb. 7-13 FBLA-PBL Week March 1 Professional Membership Dues Online Registration - DEADLINE March 1 Membership deadline to be eligible for State/National Conferences MONEY RECEIVED March 1 Individual Business Achievement Awards Entries - NATIONAL DEADLINE March 6 Southern Section Conference at University of California, Irvine March 12 State Leadership Conference skill events school-site testing form REQUEST DEADLINE
Complete the internship successfully:
This could include doing things such as wearing appropriate attire, arriving on time, and always following directions.
Get recognition!
Participate in the FBLA Internship Project due March 19. This is a very simple process of turning in your cover letter, resume, and thank you notes, writing a short blurb about your experience, and getting a form filled out by your employer.
Professional Attire If an interview is required, remember to wear professional business attire. Not only will you impress your superviser, but you may have a better opportunity of retaining, if not obtaining, the internship.
A copy of the FBLA Internship Project application and more directions can be found at www.cafbla.org under “Document Library.” southernsectreas@cafbla.org
March 19 State Projects Recognition Forms, American Enterprise Project Entries, Partnership with Business Project Entries, Community Service Project Entries - POSTMARKED March 25 Online Conference Registration closes - State Leadership Conference March 25 State Leadership Conference Hotel Reservations - RECEIVED April 6 All money for State Leadership Conference - RECEIVED April 15-18 State Leadership Conference at Hyatt Regency, Irvine For more deadlines, visit www.cafbla.org southernpr@cafbla.org
Winter 2009
Networking in the business world and beyond How to make a lasting first impression: make your first three seconds count By C.C. Gong Partner w/ Leader
Do you go to see a movie because you saw the trailer on T.V. and it intrigued you? In just that minute of preview, you have already formed a bias about that movie as to whether it looks interesting or not, even though you have only glimpsed less than one percent of the movie. In the same way, people form an opinion, or first impression, about someone within the first three seconds of a new encounter…even if it’s just a glance. These first impressions can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, making those first encounters extremely important, for they set the tone for the all the relationships that follows. So, whether in your career or social life, it’s important to know how to create a good first impression. Make those three seconds count.
Networking is a great way to expand the world you live in. And whether you’re talking about LDI, a club social, or even a party, they’re all prime opportunities to meet new people and build a network of relationships. To do so, you must fight the temptation to just “hang out” with the people you already know. If you’re someone who doesn’t like to network because the thought of talking with people you don’t know intimidates you, consider that somewhere in that sea of strangers is probably a friend waiting to meet you for the very first time. Here are some general tips: Take initiative. Introduce yourself first, and be yourself! Be curious and interested in whom your counterpart is. Give your undivided attention by maintaining steady eye contact. Don’t look over the shoulder.
Use the name of your new acquaintance frequently. Establish a personal connection, but be careful with humor and sensitivities. You don’t want to establish a barrier. Most importantly, have fun! Be enthusiastic and cheerful, and take every opportunity to meet new people. If there’s an awkward pause, just move! Say something along the lines of, “Well it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope to see you around at the conference!” If you’re speaking to a business professional, ask for a business card. If your acquaintance is your peer, ask them for Facebook or Myspace pages, and don’t forget to add them. Connections in the business world are crucial for success. Start building networks now. Who knows? You just might meet them again in the future. southernpartnerwithleader1@cafbla.org
Breaking the ice
Having trouble conjuring interesting meetings? Well, “Die, Boring Meetings, Die!!!” By Samuel Yun Parliamentarian
The best solution to dissolving boring meetings is trying a few icebreakers. Changing the substance of meetings and adding a fun twist will energize a group of teens like ourselves. Below are a few icebreakers’ directions to ease your meetings. Admittedly, a few are outof-the-league in level of craziness, but you’ll find yourself cleansed of those ridiculously tedious meetings! 1. “Screamers” - used to relieve initial tension and awkwardness. Group students into reasonable sizes, then instruct them to scream as loud as they can (in unison) every time they find themselves looking
into someone else’s eyes. Those who manage to escape the gazes of others are winners. 2. “Animal Farm” - used to randomize students into official teams. All are given specific animals and instructed to make those animal trademark noises/ cries. Students then find others of the same species. At that point, it may be more like a raucous zoo than a meeting – but it can be a fun zoo! 3. “Team Movie Pictionary” - mix of both teamwork and charades. Each team’s members stand in a line facing one direction. The person in the back is given a movie title and must describe that movie (using
only body gestures) to the next person in just 5-10 seconds. The next person passes on those same gestures to the person in front, and so on. After the chain of charades is passed to the front, the most front person guesses the name of the movie based on the gestures seen. 4. “Like An Animal” - each student thinks of a favorite animal and three characteristics that best describe that animal. Then, he finds an acquaintance, and tells that person how those three animal characteristics best describe his own personality. You’ll even hear people describe themselves as “fuzzy”! southernparli@cafbla.org
Issue V - Page 3