The SCIP Team visits Schering-Plough HQ in NJ
Posted on 13 Aug 2009 by nerveband
Our visit to Schering Plough, a leading pharmaceutical company based in New Jersey, in a pending merger with Merck Co., was astonishing from the very beginning till the very end. We were very grateful to SP for picking us up from the train station for a short and comfortable ride to their main research facility. We started by heading out to the labs. First we sat in a small room with 3-D glasses to closely observe a cancer cell and the ongoing work of researchers in their department. Then we went off to the next lab to see how chemists at the facility concoct the different pharmaceutical products, much of which doesn’t work out at the end.
However, creating the different samples is necessary in order to test their products for actual human consumption and/or use. Currently the scientist we met inside the lab is working for a new medication that will reduce weight. We were able to use our hands to mix a solution and then extract it in order to have the products separated and back to natural state once again in this lab full of glass containers and beakers.
After this, we took a visit to the office with a number of large machines which automatically mix different solutions according to previously made commands. The first machine we saw was relatively small, slow and cheap, about $350,000. The next machine was larger and faster and cost $750,000. Lastly, the largest machine cost about $3 million, and its own refrigeration techniques and capabilities. This lab was by far the most interesting as the host scientist talked about how she wanted to be a doctor as a young child, but ended up liking the researching options found at companies such as in Schering Plough’s laboratories. As many of us aren’t sure exactly which career to pursue, we were able to be inspired and remained hopeful that our choices down the line would lead to success as long as we worked hard and received the high education after college.
Then we headed back to our hall room and had a discussion in which we asked our most important questions which were answered by a number of executive employees from all different departments at Schering Plough. During this time we also, gave them a brief PowerPoint presentation on what SCIP is and why it’s important to have sponsors such as SP to help us out. The company heads listened intently and assured us they would continue their support as in previous years. Over the last half-hour we had split up into different groups, with one table having a SP representative, with whom we would need to match with according to our career interests. This was a very helpful part because we able to communicate directly and face to face in order to help us learn more of whom they are, what they do and get our questions answered overall.
We learned a lot, thanks to the caring and respectful individuals who took the time out of their busy schedules and the energetic answers which we received. Once again, thank you Schering Plough for taking the time to host us.
The SCIP Team visits The Council
Posted on 13 Aug 2009 by nerveband
Today we visited The New York New Jersey Minority Development Council, a non-profit organization which helps minority owned businesses with much of the help they need in order to start up and then land contracts with in, located in midtown Manhattan. Our host was Kevin, an attorney at law, who made our visit a fun learning experience. He taught us about the different corporate entities, and used great examples to de-mystify the entire code of liability and ethical responsibility individuals and corporations have when dealing with other, especially when selling their products.
The Council was worth every second of our stay. We left with a positive view of the goals and aims of The Council. We hope to go back and volunteer some of our time in the nearby future to this and other great causes to help the less fortunate. SCIP extends thanks to The Council for graciously hosting us.
SCIP Interns visit Mitchell & Titus
Posted on 12 Aug 2009 by Aminul Islam
Our visit to Mitchell and Titus today, a public accounting firm under the umbrella firm Ernst and Young, was interesting, insightful, and unique all at the same time. We started off with a tasty lunch which included kosher for those of us who requested it. Then we went off to play an icebreaker in which we stated our names and high schools and two pieces of information, one of which had to be a lie and the other the truth. That game made us feel right at home, because we then felt comfortable in the environment we were in, even though it was still a corporate setting.
We continued this path of learning mixed with entertainment and excitement by playing Jeopardy! after splitting up into two groups. Some of the questions on the board were really easy, other not so much, but overall we had a lot of fun. Also, when we didn’t know an answer, not only would they tell us the answer but elaborate more upon it, make us understand the concepts (especially core-competency skills) before moving forward with the next question. This attitude of caring and de-mystifying our overall experience there was what made our visit so special, unlike any other.
Next came the biggest surprise, the CEO of M&T, Anthony Kendall, came to offer us some words of wisdom. He inspired us to go back into our own humble beginnings, search deep inside our souls and to pursue something we really believe in, and not in it for the money. The fact that a CEO of such a huge company can come and convey us words of wisdom, such as the importance of looking out for those below you, helping the neediest, not being greedy for power of wealth, “be the hardest working stove on the block even if one is not the brightest bulb on the block,” had a deep profound meaning to us as high school interns looking to be successful in our own careers and use it in the future to help our communities and the needy all around the world.
Indeed this was the climax of our visit, but it didn’t end there. We were then joined by employees at M&T and they shared their backgrounds as well as a large basketful of tips ranging from what choices we should make in our career paths to picking the right colleges. Finally, this wonderful day came to a conclusion with the distribution of free goody-bags and farewell goodbyes.
Overall, the SCIP Team resonates great thanks to Mitchell & Titus for being such gracious host. We also would like to extend a personal thank you to the CEO of Mitchell and Titus for taking the extra mile to come and visit us.
SCIP visits the American Diabetes Association
Posted on 12 Aug 2009 by Aminul Islam
Today we visited the American Diabetes Association, the leading non-profit organization in the United States working to searching for a cure, promoting awareness and educating the public about diabetes, and helping the 24 million people in the United States diagnosed with diabetes. We learned about the goals and aims of this organization as well as how they plan to achieve those goals. They have departments just as any other organization.
What’s interesting about the ADA are the group of people working behind it. They were all so passionate about what they do, even though they don’t earn as much as they would working for a large corporation. They work for a good cause, and they do so, because they understand that someone needs to take up the fight against the leading cause of death in the world: diabetes.
One remarkable fact is that 1 in every 3 children born after the year 2000 is projected to have diabetes. That ratio expands to 1 in 2 for African Americans and Latinos in the country. Truly, Diabetes has been declared an epidemic by New York State. 7 million out of the 57 million American which have pre-Diabetes live in New York, and 1.2 million out of 8 million that live in NYC are diagnosed with diabetes. Just looking at the statistics gives us a picture of how large this problem is. But individual stories shed even more light on this unnoticed problem. Nowadays more and more kids are developing Type 2 diabetes, unlike a decade ago when this disease used to be limited to elders.
But, as desperate times call for desperate measures, the ADA is stepping up and increasing their projected fundraising and local outreach all across the country. They use many lines of communication with local businesses and global corporations to sponsor events and donate for a good cause. We met the programs coordinator as well as the individuals which organize large fundraising events such as the one every October in NYC, in which there is an estimated 3,000 people which attend each year, with the numbers growing.
As important as it is raising money to find a cure and treat diabetics, the ADA believes in preventing diabetes before it is even diagnosed. They educate kids in schools, and create awareness among teenagers and encourage them to help by either volunteering at their office, at their schools, and in their communities to raise money using various proven techniques. They hold expos as well in order to help adults receive free screening, cook healthier foods and walk away with a bag full of goodies to help themselves or their loved ones.
Today we truly gained an understanding of the importance of working for something one really believes in and ultimately how important such organizations are to working for the greater good of those who need such help, whether it be diabetes, cancer or any common problem. As we left their office, we left them our contact information and many of us pledged to help out in any way we can, especially bringing back the message back to our own schools this upcoming school year.
The SCIP Team extends thanks to the American Diabetes Association for graciously hosting us. We wish them a successful fight against Diabetes.
The SCIP Team visits Ernst & Young
Posted on 12 Aug 2009 by Aminul Islam
Our visit to Ernst and Young was unique and quite memorable. It consisted of a set of exciting presentations, backgrounds, and overviews which we found inspirational and educational at the same time. We thank E&Y for taking their time and energy in order to share with us what they wanted in order to help us choose our own career paths, as well as for answering all the questions in a sincere and respectful manner throughout the entire day. Before E&Y, most of us either didn’t like accounting in general or didn’t know enough to make a decision about it. Our visit to E&Y persuaded most of us to consider working in this field, perhaps even for E&Y, to fulfill the needs of such a large public accounting company.
Our visit included many surprises, the first of which was meeting Daniel Black and being able to interact with him in a personal manner. His humor and insight into the on-goings of the company’s day to day operations, as well as his background of growing up as a New Yorker, in Staten Island with humble beginnings was essential to our connection and our understanding of his overall message: that Accounting is not only for geeks and nerds who type in small, bite-size cubicles.
He told us how he studied accounting in high school and college, and that he only went ahead to get a CPA and an accounting degree because of the vast employment opportunities in the field. He tied in with the fact that E&Y is not only rated one of the best employers in the country, but is in charge of almost 130,000 employees, more than 6,000 of whom are the very college interns Daniel Black hires from all across the Americas. Daniel went ahead and was hired as head of recruiting in the Americas, a job which falls in under the HR department, vastly different from the everyday accounting work he set out to do when he started working at E&Y.
Later on, Stacey O’Brien, a recruiter for E&Y in the Northeast gave us a presentation on what to do in interviews. Her tips gave us valuable insight and although it was another PowerPoint presentation, she used her people-friendly skills to teach us a few things during the short amount of time. This showed us that at large firms such as E&Y, the jobs don’t all require the same degrees because there are always other departments to work for. The people we met at E&Y made it clear to us that their jobs are very exciting and that they love to wake and get to work, unlike many employees in other industries.
A few others working at various departments in E&Y came in later on, and we even did a conference call an E&Y executive couldn’t show up. Nonetheless, our day at E&Y was remarkable and even more, full of inspirational individuals who made it easy to connect with them and the entire industry E&Y serves.
The SCIP team gained valuable experience and knowledge and wish to extend our thanks.
A Gala Night of Stars
Posted on 12 Aug 2009 by nerveband
The Selective Corporate Internship Program (SCIP) founded in 1997 is the brainchild of Monica and Miguel Mancebo of McClure Management. The program provides bright, promising New York and New Jersey high school with corporate, mentoring and internship opportunities to gain valuable business skills. The Mancebos have made SCIP their commitment to our youth and students who spend the summer obtaining business skills used by successful corporate business leaders and entrepreneurs. SCIP also offers a continuum through its alumni program which also provides leadership training; development and internship opportunities, for students throughout college and beyond.
This is the 11th year the internship program has been in existence and the milestone was marked with a Gala Night of Stars Celebration earlier this month and was hosted by WNBC Channel 4 New York’s Monica Morales and Pierre Salmon of Clarins Fragrance Group.
The gala even honored the Class of 2008 Students as well as supporters and sponsors of SCIP. Among those honored for their unwavering commitment and support in the shared vision with SCIP of helping to encourage, empower and enlighten many future leaders and entrepreneurs; are Carl Brooks, President, Executive Leadership Council (ELC); Harriet Michel, President, National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC); Clarins Fragrance Group; Time Warner; Con Edison; Colgate; Pfizer; and Met-Life. SCIP’s Corporate Supporters who were honored are pictured above with the Mancebos’.
They have been mentors for our young adults through business and community development and were selected for their outstanding community work and continuous support to the work of the internship program.
The Mancebos’ also gave special honors to one of their founding patrons with a surprise award presented to Lorna Welshman-Neblett of Clarins Fragrance Group; she is credited with bringing her ompany on board as well as encouraging the support of other corporate entities that have since become sponsors of this empowering, internship program.
SCIP is a 501(c)(3) organization; contributions and donations are subject to tax exemption.