LATINOS AND MENTORS

Written by: Maria Villarreal, contributing writer


While it is a wonderful thing to have a Latino Mayor governing the City of Los Angeles, it is an ongoing process to maintain and add to the representation of Latinos in the City’s top executive positions. Yes, taking management courses or getting a post-graduate degree will help in your quest to promote, however one cannot underestimate another highly effective method toward advancement: mentoring.

As stated in Barron's “The Complete Job Search Guide for Latinos,” a recent Korn Ferry study (in conjunction with Columbia Business School) reveals that formal and informal mentoring is seen as crucial to the development of senior-level minority executives.

71% of executives say they have informal mentors
22% report they have formal mentors
47% of women of color report their greatest barrier to advancement was lack of mentors
Indeed on this last point, in 2005 Latinas held only 0.3% of the corporate officer positions, according to a survey done by the Center for Work-Life Policy in New York.

Murray Mann, co-author of the Barron’s Guide, noted, “Research shows that the lack of influential mentors has been the greatest barrier to advancement for Latinos.”

A September 2008 article in the Wall Street Journal stated, “Although they make up over 15% of the population, Latinos of both genders hold less than 2% of executive offices in Fortune 1,000 companies. However, the same article notes that the Latino population is growing so rapidly that soon the Latinos will comprise 20% of the U.S. work force.

The good news for Latinos is that based on their burgeoning population, companies have become inspired to prepare and encourage diversity in the workplace. A top level executive from an executive search firm stated, “The best way to attract people from a diverse community is to have diverse people at the top level, so diverse candidates see that their own way to the top isn’t blocked.”

Since companies are ramping up their minority recruiting efforts, its critical that Latinos to reach out to each other by taking advantage of business networking opportunities geared specifically for them. More than ever before, Latinos should tap into their colleagues for mentoring resources that are crucial for attaining career leadership goals. Membership in LACECA is one great way to get started. LACECA’s members represent everything from the rank-and-file to the crème-de-la-crème of the City’s top executives. For those of you fortunate enough to have attained your career goals, it’s time to consider offering someone else some of your good advice, strategizing tips, and professional insight.

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