In class, we were doing preparations for the Diversity Career Symposium. We were told what to do and what not to do. We were told to meet the goals of getting informational interviews, creating a relationship into getting a mentor or mentors, and finding job shadowing programs or internships. They told us we only have two hours to complete each task. It was quite nerve racking to say the least. We were told to remember TIARA.

T-Trends… Industry specifics.
I-Insights… Individual views.
A-Advice… As it applies to me, a student.
R-Resources… What they did as a next step.
A-Assignments… What projects are most important to their work.

In following TIARA, we are to obtain new information, establish rapports and guidance, gather brief insight to an organization’s structure and culture, and to gain insight to the positions and or role set by each industry.

Listening to this lecture made me really nervous. It is initially the start of establishing my professional career, but being prepared will make me ready for the Diversity Career Symposium. Looking through the list of companies, I would really like to talk with Kaiser Permanente, Cambia Health Solutions and Portland Parks and Recreation. The kid of like experiences I would like to have with a mentor would be just for full guidance. I would like to be able to call on them for feedback and criticism. I want them to help improve me. A company I would really like to visit for a day would be Kaiser Permanente. I used to have their insurance and everyone that was working just seemed so happy and had high spirits. I would like to know what it would be like working for them for a while.