This weekend was phenomenal!  I joined the Monster Diversity Leadership Program (DLP) "Pay It Forward Program" (PIFP), which consisted of Monster DLP alumni who go back to the program to volunteer their time and help out.

What's Monster DLP?  It's a leadership conference that takes place over the course of a weekend, usually in one of the large cities of the U.S.  This year and last year, I attended Los Angeles' DLP.  Basically, the conference is a high-energy, hyped-up motivational career seminar and provides meals and lodging for student participants.  Some of the activities done during this weekend included a motivational speech by Mr. Kevin Carroll, networking with the sponsors, a Target Party, many opportunities to get scholarships or prizes, and interactive career-building activities and workshops.

If you're an undergraduate student, I highly urge you to apply for the next Monster DLP.  Not only will you make a lot of friends and network with sponsors, but it will be a weekend to remember!

Saturday, June 28, 2008
The Pay-It-Forward-Coordinator, Cheryl, had told me to come in on Saturday morning, instead of Friday.

I showed up around 8am and asked for directions to the volunteer center.  After obtaining a parking permit, placing it in my car, and returning to the volunteer center, I sat down for a brief orientation.  Cheryl provided me with a map, schedule, and a DLP handbook (that all the students and sponsors got).  She then gave me a radio to use throughout the day (barely used it, though). 

First, I was assigned to help with the registration table.  I put raffle tickets into clear nametag holders and clipped a lanyard to it.  The staff checked off the person's name and gave him or her instructions on where to go.  As some of the staff were busy for a moment, I temporarily took over, and the staff thanked me for that (haha...I felt like I stole their thunder o_O).  Anyway, as the registration was winding down, the staff packed up most of the tables and went to another place to do their work.  They allowed me to take charge of late registration (not many people came late, though).  I chatted with one of Monster's sponsorship/company relations staff and found out what he does.

Then, the materials got moved indoors.  I sat around, while the students looked for their nametags.  The staff were also giving away a book called "What's Your Red Rubber Ball?" - this was about finding one's main motivation/goal in life and achieving it.  The author of this book actually showed up a bit later into the day.  I spoke to one of the other very sweet staff, named Nadine.  Also got to know the product director of Monster Diversity programs.  Met the Marketing Director of Monster and she was awesome - gave me her extension and said we'd connect later.

After this, I went to the main room (Memorial Hall) and the students were given an orientation of the program.  There were also some activities in the morning involving prizes :D (I wasn't able to get any, but it was fun watching others).  During the program, some of us got up on stage to dance some type of random shuffle (made distinctly for DLP?! I don't know...).  Soonafter, we entered the cafeteria for lunch.  Yum...almost a buffet (I took way too many cookies and cakes T_T). 

Lunch ended and everyone sauntered back into Memorial Hall.  Cheryl asked me to listen to the presentation and then go off with a group afterwards to do the activity.  The Emcee was really awesome (one of the best I've seen) and he also hosted the show last year.  In fact, I must mention that I saw a little bit of everyone's public speaking skill and I aim to be as pro as all of them one day.  I also found out that about 1/3-1/2 of them are actors!  No wonder they're so good :)  So we listened to him talk about transformative leadership.  He also introduced Mr. Kevin Carroll.  Mr. Carroll was amazing.  He spoke of the hardships of his life story and gave examples of the determined human spirit.  I was extremely touched and inspired.

I followed PwC's group into a room.  We started to construct a box that represents our being on the outside and our dreams on the inside.  I'm still not done with mine, so that has yet to be finished.  After an hour of working on the box, we split up into groups and did this PwC activity consisting of picking out five roles that don't fit an employee of PwC (split up into 4 levels of employee).  Afterwards, my group got 3rd place...but it was fun (although I was falling asleep).  Then, we watched this "The Office" take on PwC diversity. 

Dinner came and went.  Yummers.  Met a few people, I suppose.  Also took my stuff from my car to bring to Clement's dormy dorm.

We had another session later at night and a HP Scavenger Hunt.  I watched as people shared their thoughts on diversity.  It was powerful, indeedy.

The staff later asked me to upload the photos for a slideshow, so I stayed a bit later to do that.  The staff were extremely appreciative, such that they were cheering and clapping for me as I uploaded pictures onto a computer.

Then, I headed to the Target party.  The music was alright - maybe 2/3 of it was danceable.  I wasn't dressed up, but I was busting many moves a bit later.  Took a lot of candy >_< and other freebies.  They had this dance contest that I didn't really have the chance to see.  Ahh...and then we walked back to the dorms around midnight...and slept soonafter.

It was really funny...Clement's roommate was someone I had previously met in November.  I met the guy, Frank, in an MBA fair, through Lindy/Linda.


Sunday, June 29, 2008

I woke up in the morning, glad that I had shared a dorm with guys (they don't take long to shower or get ready in the morning).  I was ready for action by 7:00am!

I moved my car by 7:30am and went to breakfast.  Clement was baffled as to why I was so late...hahaha.  Sire, in all honesty, I got lost because I was a bit delirius...and I wanted to move my car to avoid walking back to the dorms.

After breakfast, we went back into Memorial Hall, where I was asked to take pictures for Monster.  I was excited to take charge of the camera because...well, you know why :)  I ran around, snapping pictures everywhere I could.  Ran in front of people near the stage...hahah.  The job fit me best, rawr.

Then, as we headed out, we received a PwC bag.  Really sexy bag.  I briefly spoke to the Marketing director, who asked me to lunch because I showed interest in her profession :D :D.  (Durrh, I was supposed to also ask the Program Director about event planning, but didn't get around to it :s.)  I also requested a goody bag from one of the employees, who said she'd make sure I'd get it :)  We headed back into the workshop rooms and proceeded with career preparation workshops.  Sheryl asked me to get pictures from the workshop rooms, so that's what I did.  Sat in on one of them and learned new things (c'mon, Monster DLP's tips are SO much better than UCSD's career center's simple tips).  For those who brought their resume, they got the chance to have it revised.

Then came lunch (omg omg omg, pistachio pudding!).  At this point, I contacted one of the staff, who got me in contact with the Marketing Director.  OMG, she was soo sweet and friendly!!!  I told her of my marketing experience, while she shared hers with me.  She also got me a t-shirt and a PwC bag (felt kind of bad for not accepting it because I already had one :x)...so kind!  It was a good networking experience.  In the end, she said, "Why don't we finish this conversation later?" and gave me her contact information.  AHHHH :) :) :).  I was extremely giddy at this point.  I need to email her tomorrow evening or this morning/afternoon to thank her for everything!  SHE is awesome :D  I just haven't had time lately to write giant thank-you letters, since I've been...yeah...blogging my memories :x

We went back into Memorial Hall, heard a small lecture, then went outside so that the students could share their boxes with "encouragers," people who listen to you talk about yourself and your goals.  The staff asked me to take as many pictures as I could, so they could be sent to Mr. Kevin Carroll.  Let me say...I took some damn-good pictures :D.  People made some amazing boxes, too.  One girl put a LED light onto her box, which flashed when you put pressure on the light.

After this event, we had what is called a Monster Mash - cram everyone into a large room and allow students to walk around to talk to sponsors.  I tried to connect to the sponsors, but only got to talk to four or so of them.  It was alright, though.  I met a UCSD alum who works at Socal Edison :D.  I need to contact everyone I met soon (people I met in the past, as well as recently).

We had a closing ceremony, where many of the staff were thanked.  The Emcee asked if I was here, and I waved my hands around.  He told me to come up on stage, where he presented me with a book and a t-shirt, and we embraced :D.  That was cool!!  Being thanked in front of 300+ people...whoaaa :)

As the closing ceremony ended, I took many pictures with my PwC group and the staff.  I even took a roomie picture with Clem and Frank.

I stayed a bit after everyone left to listen to the general comments about the conference.  The staff all expressed a lot of appreciation for each other and for having put on such a great, motivational event.  One of the staff members actually cried and told us how grateful she was.  I thanked the staff for giving me such a great opportunity to give back.  They invited me out to eat, but I had homework....and even after I got home, I didn't do any homework.  I just passed out -_-, only to wake up at 6am the next morn, heh.


Summary: 

As it turns out, Saturday morning was a little boring, but Saturday afternoon and Sunday were full of more interaction and interesting duties as a PIFP participant.  Not only did I get to see the backstage happenings, but I also got to experience Monster DLP's networking opportunities and some of the activities as an alumni!  I had the chance to meet some amazing people I wouldn't have met otherwise!  I also experienced an amazing culture of gratitude:

Even starting from Saturday morning, I didn't feel like I was doing much, but I was being thanked overzealously.  I just took those words of appreciation and kept them in mind, even though I didn't believe it was true at first.  However, as the day went on, I felt like I was truly appreciated for my presence.  In the end, I was the only PIFP participant who signed up and showed up (there were originally supposed to be about 4 people...and I had thought about dropping out after the first few hours, but I'm glad I stayed).  My coordinator and others had thanked me throughout the weekend and I had received quite a few hugs.  Received lots of encouragement in the form of gratitude, which made me grateful to have participated in the program :D  I was extremely inspired and excited, even days after the program (today is Tuesday, July 1, and I feel so optimistic about life).

Oh, and the facilitator for PwC mentioned something about having seen me bust a move at the Target party....lmfao.

The head director of Monster DLP was also really awesome.
"Don't watch...don't try this, either." - Won't explain the context for the quote, but I was very amused.

The PIFP coordinator was extremely warm and energetic.  Awesome girl.  I found out her brother is teaching English in China and that her family might meet up with him later on next year.

One day, I want to help Monster DLP grow further as a leadership, diversity, and career development program...