![\"College](\"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Mentor-Program-at-FIU-College-of-Business.jpg\" "\\"College")
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As she approached graduation, FIU Business student Benjamine Etienne realized she didn\u2019t know a lot of people in her chosen field of wealth management. She joined the college\u2019s mentor program<\/a>, she said, because \u201cI thought this would be a good place to start building connections.\u201d<\/p>\n At the October 12, 2017 breakfast kickoff for the 2017-18 program, she met\u2014and impressed\u2014her new mentor, Miguel Horvath.<\/p>\n \u201cShe seems very smart and motivated,\u201d said Horvath, (BBA \u201900 MSF \u201915), a private wealth advisor at Horvath Wealth Management. He\u2019s an expert mentor, having participated in the FIU Business Mentor Program since its inception.<\/p>\n Etienne, who will receive her undergraduate degree<\/a> in December, is excited too. As she prepares to look for a job in wealth management, Horvath will critique her resume, hone her interview skills, and let her experience the day-to-day at his financial services company.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s really dedicated to helping me with whatever I need,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The Mentor Program is one of the FIU Business\u2019 signature programs. It started about 10 years ago under former Dean Joyce Elam, and then was on hiatus from 2012 until 2014, when it was revived by Yanyn San Luis, director of alumni relations. In four years, it has gone from 25 mentoring pairs to 250 this year \u2013 1,000 percent growth.<\/p>\n “The mentor program is the cornerstone of student development and alumni engagement at FIU Business,\u201d San Luis said. \u201cWe’ve grown consistently over the last four years, and look forward to providing students with a way to gain industry knowledge outside of the classroom.”<\/p>\n The secret of its success lies in the commitment of mentors like Horvath. \u201cWhen I was a junior at FIU, I wanted to work in finance, but I had no idea what that entailed or who I could talk to for help,\u201d he said. \u201cI greatly valued the mentor I had, who helped me align my passion with my career. I hope I\u2019m able to give back to my mentees the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n A hallmark of the nine-month program is that mentoring pairs are encouraged to continue communication after the formal program is done. \u201cI got a call from a mentee about six months after the program ended,\u201d Horvath said. \u201cHe was able to land a great position, and thanked me for the guidance and support. Knowing I\u2019m making a difference is the greatest reward.\u201d<\/p>\n At the kickoff breakfast, Dean Joanne Li shared her own experience. \u201cI have two cups on my desk that, as an undergrad, my mentor gave me. They remind me what an impact a mentor can make. Gradually, intentionally, not through words but through actions, mentors want to help someone have a very special life.\u201d<\/p>\n A new fundraising campaign was introduced at the kickoff: The Power of One<\/a>, named for the impact one person can have on others\u2019 lives. It aims to make the burgeoning program self-sustaining over the next two years. Seed money for the endowment comes from The Graham Companies<\/a>, where Andre Teixeira (MAcc \u201993, BAcc \u201992), former Dean\u2019s Council member, is chief financial officer.<\/p>\n \u201cFIU Business has a lot of buy-in from this community,\u201d said Giovanna Gutierrez, Office of Advancement coordinator, \u201cbecause, like Teixeira, students tend to stay here \u2013 few businesses in South Florida don\u2019t have FIU alumni working there.\u201d<\/p>\n But mentors don\u2019t have to be FIU alumni or even live in South Florida; some have joined the program through business or family connections, and mentor remotely.<\/p>\n The program, which requires mentees to have a 2.5 GPA, has over a 90 percent completion rate. \u201cStatistics prove students who are mentored have higher graduation rates,\u201d Gutierrez said. \u201cWe match mentoring pairs based on study, career, and outside interests too, so it\u2019s a well-rounded experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Etienne, a Haiti native and youngest of seven siblings, said she\u2019d love to build a career here, close to her family in Miami Gardens. Once she\u2019s gotten professional experience, she hopes to pursue her masters degree \u2013 and stay in touch with Horvath. \u201cThat connection you build with your mentor, it can last a lifetime,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cMentees often ask, how can I show my gratitude?\u201d Li said. \u201cHere\u2019s how: I want you to go on to succeed, and then pay it forward. That\u2019s how mentees evolve into mentors. If we\u2019re united in caring about each other, we will build a great community.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Miguel](\"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/FIU-Business-Mentor-Program.jpg\" "\\"Miguel")
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