Look for the Helpers – Part Two

Blogging, business, health related issues, lessons learned, Teaching and Education, writing 3 Minutes

A few years ago I wrote a post, “Look for the Helpers“, which was my review of the wonderful documentary about Mister Rogers – “Won’t You Be My Neighbor”. The post title is in reference to one of Mister Rogers well-known quotes:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

I was reminded of that post this morning in my classes while listening to the guest speakers. Today was “Global Business Panel” day, an event I have also written about before. The panels are meant to expose our students to the world of international business and to connect students with alumni. The panel sessions are a great way to bring to life many of the issues we had been talking about in class, such as the future of globalization and the impact of COVID-19 on global trade.

Part of the global business panel sessions highlights all of the resources available to our students if they are interested in any aspect of international studies. There was mention of the various info sessions focused on studying abroad, virtual global internships, and scholarship funds for study abroad. There are the members of our Global Advisory Board, alumni who have had extensive global experience and want to share that experience and mentor our current students. We have faculty who provide guidance on which courses to take to maximize their knowledge of international business.

In other words, there is a lot of help out there for the students, and all they have to do is look for it.

Once I realized this, I started to connect it with my classes last week which featured discussions of entrepreneurship. One point I tried to impress upon the students was that all they needed was an idea, and the desire to see that idea become a reality. Once you’ve got that, you can find the help you need. We talked about the Small Business Association, SCORE (which originally stood for Service Corps of Retired Executives). incubators, freelancing websites such as Upwork and Fiverr, podcasts and videos from people like Tim Ferriss and Gary Vaynerchuk, Villanova’s own ICE Institute, and a variety of other sources for help.

Once again, if the students want to become an entrepreneur, they just need to look for the helpers.

I then came to the realization that much of what we do in the Business School is making our students aware of all the resources available to them.

We’ve got the wonderful Clay Center, which serves as ground zero for advising our students on all academic matters.

We’ve got the O’Donnell Center for Professional Development that provides professional development activities that enrich your academic experience with insights and experiences that support your professional goals.

We have more than two dozen student business groups that allow students to learn more about a given major or industry, and to take on some leadership responsibilities.

The University has a Writing Center where students can get help with drafts of their writing assignments.

The University also has an Office of Learning Support and a Counseling Center.

The above is not meant to be a comprehensive listing of all the resources available to ur students, but hopefully, it does offer a sense of the wide variety of help that is available to them.

All they have to do is look for it, and when they do, they will find people who are fully committed to helping them achieve their goals.

P.S. Update on the first Look for the Helpers post: I had mentioned that I was thinking about getting a couple of zipper cardigan sweaters so that I could be more like Mister Rogers. I am happy to announce that I am now the proud owner of a few such items, which I happily wear to class, probably more often than I need to…

 

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

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67 thoughts on “Look for the Helpers – Part Two”

      13. Haha!! Jim told me that you sent him money and I wondered where mine was, but you van keep that. 🙂 send mine in an envelope with a postage stamp on it. Blank check will be fine. Jim said all I had to do was ask nicely…. soooo Pretty please, may I?

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  7. Resources like these not only help the student in pursuit of their goals, but they teach them that helping someone else can be just as rewarding as individual success. They become witnesses to the true acts of giving back. Great post, Jim!

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  9. When I toured colleges with my daughter a few years ago, I was astounded by all of the support available to students. Most notably tutoring services and the writing centers. I found myself feeling a little jealous of what she’s offered. Ditto for dining services. In 1980, we didn’t even have a salad bar.

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    1. it is quite different compared to when I went to college in the 70s. I think our campus has over a dozen dining facilities, and close to half a dozen coffee shops. I’m guessing my students are hitting up the coffee shop right before my class…

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  10. Isn’t it strange how all of a sudden, a realization such as what you realized about Business School suddenly becomes clear? I’ve had a few of those “aha moments” in my life too. It must be comforting for anyone with a dream to know that the resources are there for them. No time for excuses!

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