2018-2019 Academy Coach Guide

ACADEMY COACH GUIDE 2018-2019

ABOUT THE ACADEMY SUMMARY

The College of Business Administration Scholars Academy at the University of Nebraska at Omaha prepares high-achieving students to be the business leaders of tomorrow through rigorous academic work, strong connections to local businesses, and a broadened worldview through travel abroad and community service. Many classes in a variety of business topics are reserved just for students in the Academy, allowing those who excel in the classroom to challenge each other. Students also have streamlined access to professionals in the business community through a mentorship programs, corporate visits, workshops, and internships. All Scholars receive a minimum $4,000 scholarship each academic year and a one-time stipend to study abroad.

HISTORY

An honors-program specifically for business students was the long-time vision of Dean Louis Pol and CBA faculty. Following a financial gift from the Virginia Pettengill Estate, that dream began to take shape in summer 2014 with the hiring of the first director.

After nearly a year of developing programming and recruiting high school seniors, the director and faculty committee selected the first cohort of 20 incoming freshmen in spring 2015. The second cohort was admitted in fall 2016, and the third in fall 2017. Twenty incoming freshmen are added to the Scholars Academy every year, following an extensive application process that includes essays, letters of recommendation, and a day of interviews. In fall 2018, the Scholars Academy is at full capacity for the first time with four cohorts of Scholars.

MISSION

The CBA Scholars Academy invests in the present and future of high-achieving business students. We are equipping Scholars to make a positive impact in their communities by providing challenging coursework in the classroom, connections to businesses and thought-leaders in the field, and unique opportunities for growth in self-awareness.

The Scholars Academy meets these goals by providing: »»

Seven courses, taught by award-winning faculty, that the Scholars complete throughout their four years in the Academy.

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Room for organic relationships and mentorship by matching Scholars to business professionals for a year-long mentorship program.

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Space and support for student-led community service projects each year.

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An annual scholarship of at least $4,000 to each Scholar to help with tuition costs.

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A study abroad trip junior year, offset by a generous stipend.

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Annual retreats for each cohort to build community.

ABOUT COACHING ABOUT

As a Coach, you will have the opportunity to engage with two high-achieving members of UNO’s College of Business Administration Scholars Academy throughout the academic year. The agenda is simple: create a space for business professionals to share their wisdom with students, and give students an opportunity to ask questions of business professionals.

COMMITMENT

We ask Coaches to commit to one academic year, which includes a minimum of six meetings between September and April. The meetings may be over lunch or coffee, at your office, in Mammel Hall, or wherever you think would be a conducive place for quality discussion. The meetings may be at times convenient for you and your two mentees.

The Scholars are required to submit reflections, three per semester, about their meetings with their Coaches, so consistency from the mentors is extremely imperative for the success of this program.

COMPANY VISITS

As a Coach, you also have the option to host a company visit for the Scholars. This will typically be a group of about 10 to 20 Scholars. As highachieving students, the Scholars are pro-actively looking for internship opportunities and carefully considering their career choices. By being a Coach and hosting a company visit, you are gaining access to some of our most sought-after students.

TIPS AND TRICKS SCHEDULING MEETINGS Scheduling times to meet can be quite difficult when coordinating three schedules. The Scholars often work, take five classes, and are involved in lots of campus activities. This isn’t event taking into account your busy schedule! Below are some tips to make scheduling easier. »»

Find a consistent time to meet (e.g. the first Friday of the month at noon).

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Schedule all future meetings at the first meeting. Put them on the calendar right away. If they have to be rescheduled, that’s okay. But having them on the calendar will help guard that time.

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Use a scheduling app, such as Doodle, to find times to meet.

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Discuss what transportation is available. Do both Scholars have a car? Can they carpool together?

STRUCTURING THE MEETINGS

Our goal is to create enough structure within the mentorship program that both you and your mentees are comfortable, while allowing enough flexibility that the relationships can grow organically. Just having a business professional interested in their careers is unspeakably valuable to the Scholars. Below are just a few suggestions if you are looking for a place to start: »»

Use the topics on pages 6 through 9 to get the conversation started. You don’t have to follow the topics at all, but if you need a place to start, you can use them.

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Do you have a work-sponsored volunteer event coming up? If you can, bring your mentees with you.

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Find a book to read throughout the year and discuss chapters during your meetings.

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Take your mentees with you on a client meeting.

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Let them shadow you for a day or a few hours.

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Have them bring their resumes and cover letters. Review them and give some constructive criticism.

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Take them on a tour of your place of business.

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Plan a mock interview.

WHERE TO MEET »»

Meet at Stedman’s Cafe in Mammel Hall.

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Have them come to you. Let them see your place of business.

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Go to a park if the weather is nice.

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Find a coffee or ice cream shop.

STEDMAN’S CAFE Stedman’s Cafe is the student-run coffee shop in Mammel Hall, located on the northeast end of the building near the main entrance.

Each coach will receive a punch card for 18 free drinks from Stedman’s. These can be used to “purchase” drinks for yourself and your two mentees throughout the year.

Stedman’s Cafe’s hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon.

72ND STREET 72ND STREET

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA

402.554.2800 | unomaha.edu

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Bicycle Racks

Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) Mammel Hall (MH) Scott Residence Hall (SRH) Scott Conference Center (SCC) Scott Village (SV) Scott Court (SC) Scott Technology Center (STC) Pacific Street Garage (PSG) Parking Services (PS) Newman Center (NC) Maverick Landing/ Scott Crossing

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* Parking permit types are assigned to specific surface lots, garages, and/or garage levels. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to know which designated areas their permit is valid in.

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Parking is open on Fridays at Mammel Hall, so you can park in any student or staff lot. If you are meeting with your mentee(s) on a Monday through Thursday, email Bethany Hughes at bjhughes@ unomaha.edu ahead of time.

Parking may be available in the gated lot (15). Otherwise, metered parking is available in the Pacific Street Garage (H).

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ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2018-2019 August 20|Fall semester begins

September 3|Labor Day; UNO closed

October 15 and 16|Semester break; no classes but UNO offices open November 21|Student holiday; no classes but UNO offices open November 22 through 25|Thanksgiving vacation; UNO closed December 3 through 8|Finals prep week December 8|Last day of fall semester classes December 10 through 13|Final exams December 14|December commencement December 22 through January 1|Holiday shutdown; UNO closed January 7|Spring semester begins January 21|Martin Luther King Day; UNO closed March 17 through 24|Spring vacation; no classes but UNO offices open April 21 through 26|Finals prep week April 27|Last day of spring semester classes Apr 29 through May 2|Final exams May 3|May commencement

TOPICS The questions and topics on the following pages may be used as a resource to guide conversations between you and your mentees.

SESSION ONE: INTRODUCTIONS QUESTIONS FROM STUDENT TO MENTOR »»

What do you hope to get out of this mentoring relationship? What do you hope I get out of it?

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How long have you worked at your company? What has your career path looked like?

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Where did you go to college?

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When did you first get interested in your field?

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Is this where you thought you’d end up?

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What does a day in the life of you look like?

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What goals have you set for this year and how are you working to achieve them?

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Who has influenced you the most?

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Do you have a mentor? How have they influenced you?

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What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve gotten?

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What are you learning right now?

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What books, podcasts or other resources would you most recommend to someone in my stage of life?

QUESTIONS FROM MENTOR TO STUDENT »»

How can I be of most help to you in this mentor relationship? What are you most hoping to get out of it?

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Why did you choose UNO? What other schools did you consider?

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Why did you choose business as a major?

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What are your aspirations for the future?

SESSION TWO: LANDING THAT JOB QUESTIONS FROM STUDENT TO MENTOR »»

How did you get your current position? Did you use your network to get it?

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What tips do you have for me to be successful when networking?

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What should I do to prepare for an interview? How should I dress? How should I enter the room? What should I bring with me?

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What are the toughest interview questions to answer? What advice would you give?

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What stands out to you most about candidates?

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Can you look over my resume? What suggestions do you have?

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What resources should I use when negotiating a salary? How can I successfully negotiate a salary without burning bridges?

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What does a competitive benefits package look like? What should I consider that may not be obvious?

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What jobs would you suggest now so I am competitive for my dream job later?

QUESTIONS FROM MENTOR TO STUDENT »»

What jobs have you considered?

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What lessons have you learned in previous jobs and/or leadership positions that you could use on your resume and future positions?

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What are your values (e.g. money, flexibility, autonomy)? How do these affect which jobs are interesting to you?

SESSION THREE: THRIVING IN A CAREER QUESTIONS FROM STUDENT TO MENTOR »»

What are you best at and how did you become competent in this area?

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What were some of your former weaknesses? How did you overcome them?

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What would you do differently if given the opportunity?

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What’s the best advice you can give to help plan a career rather than simply work to keep a job?

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What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned from a failure?

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Are you expected to travel for your work? How much do you travel? How do you balance that?

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How many hours to you work in a week? How much flexibility do you have? Do you manage your time or does someone else?

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What is your company culture like? Do you like it? Why or why not?

QUESTIONS FROM MENTOR TO STUDENT »»

What strengths do you have that you will bring to a career?

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How comfortable are you with promoting yourself? Does this come naturally to you?

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Who do you know who has really thrived in what they do? What do you admire about them?

SESSION FOUR: WORK-LIFE BALANCE QUESTIONS FROM STUDENT TO MENTOR »»

What are some lessons you’ve learned the hard way?

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What values of yours are nonnegotiable? What keeps you focused?

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Where do you find inspiration?

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How do you spend most of your time?

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How do you balance relationships (friends, family, coworkers) with work?

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What did you think was really important to you at my age that you don’t think is so important now?

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What’s the most effective daily habit you possess?

QUESTIONS FROM MENTOR TO STUDENT »»

Balancing school, a job, and extracurricular activities can be challenging. How do you manage?

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What do you like to do in your free time? Do you make these activities a priority?

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What areas of your life cause the most stress? Is there anything you can do alleviate some of that?

SESSION FIVE: WORKPLACE CULTURE QUESTIONS FROM STUDENT TO MENTOR »»

What makes you proud to work at your company?

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How does this organization support your professional development and career growth?

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Is risk-taking encouraged? What happens when people fail?

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What’s one thing you would change about your company if you could?

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Do you have fun with your coworkers? What does that look like?

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Do you have friends from work?

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Do you feel like you have a say about what happens at work?

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How long do most people stay at your company?

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What is the dress code like?

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Is giving back important to your company? How is this implemented?

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Do most of your coworkers take lunch breaks? Paid-time off? What is your sick leave policy?

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Does the company host social outings or events for employees?

QUESTIONS FROM MENTOR TO STUDENT »»

What kind of company culture would you most like?

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What do you value most from a boss or manager?

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What kind of team do you work best with?

SESSION SIX: WRAPPING UP QUESTIONS FROM STUDENT TO MENTOR »»

What was your highlight of our mentoring this year?

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What positive thing do you see in me that I need to focus on developing?

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What suggestions do you have for me moving forward?

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What parting wisdom do you have for me?

QUESTIONS FROM MENTOR TO STUDENT »»

What was your highlight of our mentoring this year? What was your biggest takeaway?

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How can I be of help to you in the future?

College of Business Administration Scholars Academy University of Nebraska at Omaha 6708 Pine Street | Omaha, NE 68182 402.554.3192 | bjhughes@unomaha.edu

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. UNO is an AA/ EEO/ADA institution. For questions, accommodations, or assistance please call/contact the Title IX/ADA/504 Coordinator (phone: 402.554.3490 or TTY 402.554.2978 or the Accessibility Services Center (phone: 402.554.2872). UCTEMP0718