The NSHMBA - Houston Chapter is pleased to launch our Membership Spotlight feature, highlighting leading local NSHMBA members that have made an impact both academically and professionally. This month we would like to highlight:
Erik Moral, Current NSHMBA Member.
Q&A with ERIK MORAL
1. How long have you been a member?
I became a member in April 2010.
2. How did you learn about NSHMBA?
I learned about NSHMBA during a GMAT-prep course at Rice University.
3. Why did you join?
I joined because I was enrolling in an MBA program and I was looking for:
- Scholarship opportunities.
- A Hispanic organization that could provide networking opportunities for MBA level students and professionals in executive positions.
4. What do you do to be an active member of NSHMBA?
As a scholarship recipient, it is my responsibility to drive the mission of NSHMBA, increase awareness of NSHMBA in the community, and promote membership. To achieve those goals I have:
- Held presentations at the Rice Jones Graduate School of Business informing students about what NSHMBA is, its mission, and the benefits of joining.
- Described my experiences at the 2010 NSHMBA Convention during various presentations done by the Rice Career Management Center.
- As a member of the Rice Hispanic Business Student Association (HBSA) I am in the process of developing a plan to increase collaboration between NSHMBA and the HBSA.
In addition, I have attended a number of local networking luncheons and happy hours. I also attended the 2010 Annual National Conference and Career Fair in Chicago last year and I plan to attend the one this year in Anaheim. I would not miss it for anything the world!
5. What benefits has membership brought you?
- The events organized by the local chapter have set the stage for developing valuable contacts in the Houston area.
- The scholarship provided much needed financial support for my MBA tuition.
- The National Convention was an outstanding opportunity for networking with other MBA students and applying to jobs at some great companies.
6. (If applicable) tell us about your experience winning a NSHMBA scholarship.
I am extremely grateful towards NSHMBA for having awarded me a scholarship. I applied immediately after receiving my acceptance letter from Rice. I was very pleased when I received the award. Enrolling in an MBA program is a tremendous financial burden; however, the scholarship has helped tremendously. In addition, being a National Scholar really sets you apart at the NSHMBA National Convention! Finally, being a scholar gave me the opportunity to meet and network many other National Scholars at the National Convention.
7. What would you tell someone who is thinking of joining, but is uncertain? (Any anecdote or story that stands out in your about being a NSHMBA Houston Chapter member. For example, finding a job via a NSHMBA Houston contact you made or increasing your GMAT score through the Chapter sponosor GMAT Prep Course)
Imagine walking into one room and having access to hundreds of Fortune 500 companies that are interviewing and hiring for MBA-level positions on the spot! NSHMBA is probably the only organization that can make it happen!
NSHMBA is an outstanding organization and one of the few organization that thoroughly promotes the continuous development of Hispanics by:
- Providing the preparation to get them into MBA programs by subsidizing GMAT-prep courses;
- Awarding scholarships to assist in paying for tuition;
- Offering career placement services through the web site and the national convention;
- Creating ongoing networking opportunities for local Hispanic MBAs.
As I enter my 2ndyear of the MBA program I hope to soon be in a position that allows me to give back to the organization which supported me so much through my days as a graduate student.
