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…
Nice to know there’s always a helping hand out there, somewhere.
LikeLiked by 2 people
indeed it is. by the way, could you lend me a few dollars?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Okay, here you go: 💰
LikeLiked by 2 people
that should get me through the month, thanks…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Remember, it’s a loan. Please don’t give me this, in return: 🔦
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t see any loan terms, so I assume interest and repayment is at my discretion?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know. Let me ask a couple of baseball players who work for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
so you’re going to play hardball?
LikeLiked by 1 person
We don’t call it hardball. We call it kneecap ball.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think the official rules of kneecap ball call for foam bats…
LikeLiked by 1 person
You talk like someone from New Jersey, with a gambling addiction.
LikeLike
the gambling thing I can handle; sounding like someone from Jersey, that’s painful to hear…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry. I guess I cut pretty low that time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll just have to work harder on my Philly accent…
LikeLiked by 1 person
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?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I already sent you all my loose change. I enclosed it in a postcard. Didn’t you get it?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gee, I wonder why I didn’t get it! 😛
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve never seen a postcard that could enclose things…
LikeLiked by 2 people
That might explain the pelting feeling on my feet, as I was inserting the change.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙄
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope that’s all it was…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m guessing the blank check will be made of rubber…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am guessing you are right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
that happens on rare occasions…
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Pat yourself 0n the back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
done…
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many great resources. I would be lying if I said that makes me want to go back and take advantage of all those helpful things, but I do wish there were more of them back when I was studying. Lucky bunch of students.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree; I don’t think I had these sort of resources where and when I went to college. but even if we did, who knows if I would have taken advantage of them…
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you look carefully, you can still find Mr. Rogers, often on a campus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLike
Do you have a fish tank in your classroom as well so you can feed the fish each morning, like Mister Rogers. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊 Go out this weekend and get some fish!
LikeLiked by 1 person
maybe I can use the money Tippy sent me…
LikeLike
Hey how did you get money from Tippy?? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
you just need to ask. nicely…
LikeLike
Oh you mean I can’t just demand it? Let me guess he gave you enough to get one fish!? LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He gave enough to get me through the rest of the month, but that was before the fish…
LikeLike
The Writing Center would be a great resource for students. I wish there was something like that for my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know I could use their help as well…
LikeLike
What excellent resources. And I also like zipper cardigans. But not for the same reason.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m wearing one of those cardigans as I type this…
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 2 people
thanks, Brad. great point that there is a win-win here with these resources…
LikeLiked by 1 person
that’s so great that your students have so much support in place, and they have you to help to connect them. I’m so glad you have the sweaters!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m wearing one of the sweaters as I type this comment! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could tell
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought it was kind of obvious…
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
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…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course tuition has increased ten-fold.
LikeLiked by 1 person
and so have teacher salaries. well, maybe not mine…
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
you said it – no time for excuses!
LikeLiked by 1 person
One can never go off-track when paying attention to Mr. Rogers. Even though his PBS show was geared to children, we adults also learned more than we sometimes let on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, we could all learn something from Mister Rogers…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this, very touching words… Look for the helpers. It reminds me of a quote I remember, “We rise by lifting others.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
that is another great quote; thanks for sharing…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this. And now I want to see a photo of you wearing one of those cardigans. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m wearing one right now as I type this… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want to see a photo! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
wordpress would probably take it down 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lollllllllllllllll 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hooray that you have a zipper cardigan! It must make you feel good to wear it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m wearing one as I type this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person