Your Guide to Every CLP

In our last blog post, we talked about the many ways to get involved in UF during your time as a business gator. One of the most impactful ways to get involved and gain leadership experience in Heavener is through a Career and Leadership Program, or CLP. If you need help deciding which program to apply for, this guide has compiled information about each organization with testimonials from members within so that you can get a strong idea of which one will be the best fit for you. 

Where to Start: 

Warrington Welcome

Warrington Welcome is a one-credit course intended for freshmen students in either their first or second semester of college. This class promotes a sense of community in the college and helps students gain a greater idea of what their goals are for the rest of their college career. After taking the course, students are encouraged to apply to be a Peer Leader and help instruct the course alongside a faculty advisor. Jennifer Hilsdon, the current Director of Training, decided to become a Peer Leader her freshman year after seeing the tremendous impact that she could have on freshmen students. “Since becoming a Peer Leader, this organization has continued to be one of the most influential communities throughout my professional, academic, and personal journey at Heavener. As a Freshman, I learned my strengths and defined my values. As a peer leader, I have used my strengths to develop a personal leadership style and allowed my values to guide my decisions. As a member of the WW community, I have been supported by amazing peers who are just as dedicated to their students as they are to one another. Now, as the Director of Training, I get to help new Peer Leaders start their own leadership journeys. If you are looking for a program where you can make an impact, contribute to a community with your unique leadership style, and grow as an individual, then Warrington Welcome might just be the right place for you!”

Transfer Success Seminar 

For transfer students that are hoping to gain a greater understanding of how to succeed in their new environment at UF, the Transfer Success Seminar is a 16 week, two-credit hour course that helps students find their place within the business school. As part of this course, students will create a resume that matches the UF format and showcases their skills, identify a chosen career path based on their previous experiences and interests, create a strong network with both classmates and professors, and prepare for interviews through mock interviews with critiques. Overall, this course helps transfer students understand their new academic expectations while developing their professional skills to ensure that they will be ready to enter the job search. 

Leadership Development Program (LDP)

LDP consists of the top 60 freshman students who have the opportunity to pursue involvement opportunities and establish their network in Heavener. After completing the first level of the program, LDP participants can apply to serve as a Leadership Ambassador to mentor other students. Taylor Konopka, a third-year finance student who participated in the program during fall semester of her freshman year, has advice to students participating in LDP to make the most of their time in the program. “You get out what you put into it! LDP is an awesome opportunity to form mentorship relationships with peers that want to help you navigate the business college and develop professionally. Along with that, you get to build a network of connections with fellow first-year business gators while seeing each other grow throughout the program. LDP is for you if you are looking for leadership development, personal growth, and mentors to walk with you through your professional journey.”

Business Undergraduate Mentorship Program (BUMP)

BUMP is the perfect opportunity for incoming freshman or sophomore students to develop their first network within the business school. Mentees are assigned an upperclassman mentor who helps their mentee navigate college life with both their professional and personal goals. Junior and senior students in BUMP have the opportunity to mentor incoming students for more leadership experience. Homar Ali-Maria, the current Director of Internal Communication, thanks BUMP for showing him the true importance of mentorship over the past two years. “Mentorship goes a long way, but it’s true effect is only highlighted when both parties put in the effort. I was blessed to have a Mentor that has become my friend for the past two years, and it’s all thanks to BUMP. I was extremely lost as a first-generation student, but the professional and personal guidance I received was transformative. As Director of Internal Communications, it is so rewarding to see the lifelong impact our Mentors are making on their Mentees from a bird’s-eye view, especially since I was in both of their shoes not too long ago. To anyone who intends to apply to become a BUMP Mentee or Mentor - intention is everything. Make the most out of your Mentee-Mentor relationship, and most importantly, be real with yourself. Come with goals so that your experience is worthwhile.”

Enactus

Enactus is an international, nonprofit organization that works as a partnership between corporations and higher education to teach young people about business fundamentals. For those of you interested in consulting, this organization is a great way to develop your problem-solving and creative thinking skills as you help real businesses find solutions to current concerns. 

For Sophomores and Juniors:

Heavener Leadership Challenge (HLC)

HLC is a personal leadership development program for the top 50 sophomores, juniors, and transfer students. With a focus on how leadership is everyone’s business, participants will have opportunities to participate in discussions and activities that will develop them into top-notch leaders. Caitlyn Torres, the Executive Director of the program, is very grateful for her past three years in HLC. “The Heavener Leadership Challenge (HLC) has had a bigger impact on my life as a leader and as a person than words can describe. Not only have I been enabled to expand my leadership capabilities and develop my own leadership style. I was gifted the opportunity to meet some of my best friends and mentors who continue to support me today. I wholeheartedly do not know where I would be or who I would be without this program. I highly recommend every single undergraduate business student to apply to the program, it will truly change your perspective on leadership and life!”

Florida Leadership Academy (FLA)

FLA consists of the top 100 business sophomore students where they can engage in weekly speaker series focused on developing emotional intelligence and leadership skills. After completing the program, 20 students within the Florida Leadership Academy are chosen to serve as mentors to the next class. Valentina Rendon, the current Director of Marketing within the organization, has been involved in FLA for three years now. “I began my FLA journey as a mentee my Sophomore year and learned from leaders across various industries through the Friday sessions. Then I became a mentor and had the opportunity to invest in younger business students everything that was invested in me the prior years. Now, I'm the Director of Marketing and get to share with the public my passion for FLA. I can confidently say that aside from all of the valuable leadership lessons my favorite part is the amazing people you meet along the way. My freshman year, Heavener seemed like such an intimidating place. After joining FLA, it felt like home. I was able to walk through the commons and stop to talk to five people along the way. I surrounded myself with the most driven, intelligent, and hard-working people and I owe that all to the growth, development, and the people FLA introduced me to.”

Business Ethics Ambassadors 

The Business Ethics Ambassadors are dedicated to developing their ethical decision making skills and promoting ethical leadership in the business school and the local community. The BEA’s participate in weekly discussions, interview community members for ethics awards, and help freshmen prepare for the Warrington Welcome Ethics Case Competition, among other duties. To apply for the program, you must first take the two-credit course BUL443 Ethics in Global Business. Abby Tucker, who has been the president of the organization for two years, says that one of her favorite parts of being a BEA are the conversations that the group has during meetings. “I love the open conversation we have as a group about pretty controversial topics, and how receptive everyone is towards new ideas. We all challenge each other to consider new perspectives, and I don’t always find that in other organizations. I would say if you want to challenge yourself to think about tough situations being a BEA is for you.”

For Juniors and Seniors:

Career and Peer Mentors 

CAP Mentors help undergraduate business majors find internships or full-time jobs through resume reviews, mock interviews, and career fair preparations. Lily Huddleston, the current Administrative Project Manager, has loved her time as a CAP mentor for the past two years because of the ways that she has helped students with their professional goals. “I consider being a CAP mentor a huge responsibility, as many Business Gators entrust you to help guide their professional journey. You have the chance to greatly impact each student you meet with, even if it’s just one time. Because of this, the best advice I could give new CAP mentors is to be an honest mentor, supportive friend and always be ready to lend a helping hand.”

Warrington Diplomats

The Warrington Diplomats are the official student ambassadors of the Warrington College of Business. In this role, you would conduct tours for prospective students, serve as liaisons to companies during Warrington Career Week, and host students from other universities during the Heavener International Case Competition. Rachel Ferreri, a fourth-year marketing student has been a Diplomat for the past 2 years and says that it has been one of her favorite experiences in college. “It’s helped me meet some of my closest friends, get more connected with the college, and meet recruiters. My favorite Dips memory was last year when we served as ambassadors for the Heavener International Case Competition. Hosting students from all over the world and learning from their experiences was unlike anything I have ever done before and the friendships I have maintained since made it something I will treasure forever.”