Alumni Masters Week: A Real-Life Advantage

Last week, all Scarlet Guard members had the opportunity to not only listen in on the Alumni Masters Week Success Panel, but also network and interact more intimately with the masters at luncheons in the Wick Alumni Center. 

In the past, I had never been particularly excited about Alumni Masters Week because there hadn't been a master who really matched my interests and career goals since I came to UNL. I always attended the Success Panel to take advantage of the masters' more generic wisdom, but secretly dreaded luncheons because I feared I wouldn't know what to talk to the master I sat with about. 

This year, things were different. Angie Klein, VP of Marketing and Sales for Verizon in Manhattan and College of Journalism and Mass Communications alumna, was a master. I had heard Angie talk to my JOMC 101 class when I was an underclassmen, and was excited to hear from her again. Not only was she just a generally impressive human being, but I knew that she would have information that was relevant to me and my future career. 

I spoke with Angie briefly following Wednesday's Success Panel and again at Thursday evening's Medallion Dinner, but it wasn't until the Friday luncheon that I got some real, personal, and effective advice from Angie.

Earlier that week, I had been going through the interview process for three different advertising internships. I had multiple offers on the table, but was struggling with making a decision and picking which one would be the best fit for me. Immediately following the luncheon with Angie, I was scheduled to meet with one of the agencies that had offered me a position. It was at the agency that was my top choice for experience, but there was a question of pay which had me doubting if it was the right fit. 

I explained to Angie what position I was in and voiced my concerns. When I made a point of how I was nervous to potentially negotiate pay, I was surprised to see Angie laughing a little.
"You know why you're nervous about that right? It's because your a girl, and it's been engrained in you that if you are telling someone how good you are, you're hurting someone else's feelings. As someone who has interviewed thousands of people and who has negotiated pay with people many times, I'll tell you that not once, not once, has a man come into my office, asked for more money, and felt bad about it."

It wasn't new news that women are so often paid less than their male counterparts, but I was surprised at the fact that it was something I didn't even realize was affecting my confidence in asking for pay that I deserved.

After the luncheon, I went to the agency. After my meeting there (including a chat with one of the agency owners), I left not only with my top choice internship, but a pay I felt I deserved, and gratitude towards Angie for giving me a pep-talk that made me confident enough to make it happen. 

Having the chance to hear from prestigious alumni is great, but feeling comfortable enough to milk the opportunity for all it's worth and to initiate authentic interactions with alumni is one of the more rewarding aspects of being a part of Scarlet Guard. 

What part of Alumni Masters Week did you find most helpful?

14 Leadership Quotes for Student Leaders

5 Signs You're A Scarlet Guard Member

     You've all heard the generic perks of being a Scarlet Guard member (the awesome networking opportunities, meeting other campus leaders, connecting with outstanding alumni, and general awesomeness), but here are 5 things we know to be true that new members might not expect...

         Share if any of these have happened to you during your time as an SG member! 

The Scarlet Guard Board of Directors

    

     The Scarlet Guard Board of Directors is the governing body of SG, comprised of approximately 35 students. Members of the board are chosen through a selective application and interview process in the early spring semester each school year. Board members help plan Scarlet Guard events, promote the organization, provide member benefits and serve as the link between the student body and the alumni association. All Board of Directors members are required to attend bi-weekly meetings, participate in various planning committees, and help at all Scarlet Guard events. 

     Board meetings are completely student-run. All agenda topics are led by members of the Executive Team, committee directors, or students who serve as connections to other organizations on campus. At each meeting, one Board member who has gone above and beyond since the previous meeting is given the "Support Award", a tool belt that the recipient decorates with something that symbolizes them or their experiences with Scarlet Guard.

     As part of the new Board of Directors/Executive team structure this year, for the first time ever, there are four freshman included on the Board of Directors. In the past, BOD spots were held exclusively by upperclassmen. Because most of Scarlet Guard's general members are freshmen, the organization decided it was important that we gave the freshmen a voice at our Board meetings. 

     Once one is accepted onto the Board of Directors, their spot is secure for the rest of their Scarlet Guard membership, pending they meet all BOD attendance and involvement requirements. Board members can run for Executive team positions the year following their acceptance on to BOD.

     While the Board of Directors is comprised of hardworking leaders that focus on event planning and programming, it is also a very tight-knit group of friends. Members like to organize "Board Bonding" outings after meetings and events. The relationships built with fellow Board members is just as much of a perk as the real-world professional development experience.

To read bios of the 2014-2015 Board of Directors, click here.

So what is Scarlet Guard?

     Scarlet Guard is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Student Alumni Association. The group is currently the largest student organization at UNL, boasting over 1,450 members during the 2013-2014 school year. Within the general membership, Scarlet Guard is run, organized and led by a student Board of Directors, which is made up of 35 individuals from all colleges, grades, and various majors. Among that 35 is the Scarlet Guard Executive team: The President, 6 Vice Presidents, and an Executive Delegate. A member of the Nebraska Alumni Association staff acts as the group's adviser.

     The mission of Scarlet Guard is to engage students with their University and provide them with the most authentic and ultimate Husker experience. This is accomplished through a heavy focus on campus traditions that can be found in the Cornhusker Compass, a traditions book that is given to all members at the time of their registration. The Cornhusker Compass highlights 65 "campus traditions" that vary from attending a Husker football game and participating in the balloon release or the Kissing Columns on UNL's City campus. Once Scarlet Guard members complete 25 of the 65 traditions, they are deemed a "Knight" and are invited to an exclusive networking event every year for the remainder of their time at college. If members complete 50 of the traditions, they are recognized as Official Tradition Keepers, are given a medal to wear at graduation, and are invited to the exclusive Alumni Awards Banquet with distinguished alumni.

     The Scarlet Guard Board of Directors plans and executes events for general members to assist them in completing their Cornhusker Compasses. These events are both social and professional. Social events include free t-shirt giveaways for home conference games, an Amazing Race-style competition that features challenges related to campus traditions, and dodgeball in Memorial Stadium. Events that promote networking and professional development include Alumni Masters Week, which gives students the opportunity to network with distinguished alumni. Another is Backpacks to Briefcases, which provides students with knowledge and resources that will help them maximize their college experiences and launch their careers.

    However, most valuable part of Scarlet Guard isn't the events. The part of Scarlet Guard that inspires, encourages, and impacts students the most is the connections that are made with alumni and fellow students. These relationships, much like the memories one gains from college life at Nebraska, last a lifetime.