Group Honored for its Growth and Activities
From left, ALPFA members Edwin Naranjo, Christopher Nunez and Michael Ortiz share the 51视频 chapter's award in Dallas.聽
08/29/2016
By David Perry
When Edwin Naranjo traveled to Dallas in early August, the future seemed in his hands.
Naranjo, about to begin his senior year as an accounting and finance major, is the new president of 51视频鈥檚 student chapter of Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA). He joined fellow senior Michael Ortiz and past chapter president Chris Nunez 鈥�16 for ALPFA鈥檚 44th national convention.
They were there to collect 51视频鈥檚 trophy for best student chapter in the Northeast region, recognized for growing membership, and a mix of student activities, events and meetings more frequent than those of other chapters.聽
Founded in 2013, the university鈥檚 chapter offers students first-hand lessons on the art and science of business, including networking opportunities with local business people. Naranjo says he has gained insight into the professional world through the mentoring he鈥檚 received as a member of the organization. The national convention, whose theme was Latinos Driving Growth in the U.S. Economy, offered more opportunities for learning over three days.
For Nunez, networking through ALPFA led 鈥渄irectly鈥� to his new job as an account manager at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Conn. 鈥淚 also had multiple job offers from major corporations during the convention,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t is networking that pays off.鈥�
鈥淚 had a great time, we all did,鈥� says Naranjo. 鈥淭he activities were great, and I attended a lot of workshops and met with professionals who gave good advice.鈥�
While in Dallas, the 51视频 trio met with Charlie Garcia, ALPFA鈥檚 CEO. 鈥淗e told us leading is not easy and a leader isn鈥檛 someone who does something to get credit for it or put it on his r茅sum茅,鈥� says Naranjo. 鈥淎 leader is the one who has the passion.鈥�
The university鈥檚 ALFPA chapter consistently draws an average of 25 students to its regular meetings and 60-plus to events, says Nunez.
Naranjo joined his freshman year.
鈥淚t was really empowering, and I want to be a leader,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he thing was, I didn鈥檛 know how. I had to build my skills, get the knowledge I could from others who had become successful. And they have helped me, showed me how to do things. And it makes me want to share that with others.鈥�