Mentors Report From The Summer Interns

This summer, Mentors has employed two interns with accomplished financial backgrounds. Jake is obtaining a bachelor's degree in finance at Westminster College in Salt Lake City while Dale is more than halfway through his MBA program at Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona. Here are their first impressions of their time at Mentors:

My first week interning at Enterprise Mentors International (Mentors) has been quite an enlightening experience. I learned about the microfinance industry while pursuing my MBA at Thunderbird in Arizona but, as usual, application of book knowledge to the real world has proven to be a new learning curve. Fortunately, I have the guidance of Mentors' knowledgeable staff combined with my interest in the industry to assist me in gaining the necessary knowledge to accomplish the projects I have been given this summer.

Mentors staff discussed the needed work done and presented us with prioritized tasks to be completed. I chose to work on as many finance-related projects as I could to further my skills in that area. The largest project was tightening up the financial reporting from partner organizations and creating a meaningful standardized report for the staff here in Draper. This has required that I gain a thorough understanding of the relationship and operations between the home office and all of the partner organizations. My understanding grows more each day. This new knowledge helps me gain a better framework in which to help Mentors in these tasks. I look forward to learning more about microfinance and building a strong relationship with the Mentors staff.

~Dale McIntosh

Since I began my internship here at Mentors I have learned more about microfinance than I thought was possible. It has been enlightening to see how this industry, and Mentors in particular, can be such a positive influence so many people’s lives around the world. I have also gained a great appreciation for the amount of work it takes to keep an organization like Mentors up and running. In the short week that I have been here, I have been given many opportunities to help out.

One of my projects involves updating the information about Mentors on a website called Mix Market. This website ranks different microfinance institutions on a number of variables such as how current the information is. Keeping this information up to date is a key part of getting a "good score" on Mix Market.

I have also been given a chance to be a part of creating and analyzing some of the financial models they use here at Mentors. Being able to participate in this process has really helped me gain some valuable insight into the financial world. During my first week I have also had a chance to get to know the staff a bit and they are all great people. They have been incredibly helpful and patient with me as I have been learning how things work and I look forward to working with them during the rest of my internship.

~Jake Mendenhall

Youth Committee Omniture Event

On April 6, 2008, Mentors Youth Committee Volunteers gathered at the BYU Stadium to represent Mentors at the Omniture Rock-Paper-Scissors Event. Over $4,000 were raised for Mentors.

Thousands of BYU students attended this event which gave Mentors a lot of exposure.

All of the Mentors Executive Directors worldwide were at this event as well and were presented to the crowd before the game began.

Mentors Field Trip

Join Mentors for an adventure in the field

and meet the clients whose lives you can help change

Next Field Trip Date: July 6 - July 12, 2008

A Mentors Field Trip- A Life-changing Experience

You will be able to interact with clients and witness firsthand the power of a microcredit loan and the impact it has on families. Our clients are hard workerscommitted to giving their children a better future. Don’t miss this unforgettable opportunity as we visit our partners worldwide!

Meet the Clients

Field trip participants personally visit with Mentors clients as they labor in their shops, fields and homes. You’ll learn about their families, their struggles, and their dreams.

Meet The Local Staff

Each Mentors partner organization has an executive director who leads his or her team of local administrative staff and loan officers.

Organized Travel and Accommodations

Field trip groups usually number around 20 per trip. All amenities, including lodging, food and transportation are planned far in advance in order to assure a safe, comfortable, and structured stay. Optional side trips to tourist destinations, such as the ruins of Tikal in Guatemala or Machu Picchu in Peru, are also included.

FAQ

What is the typical field trip itinerary?

A field trip typically begins with a weekend departure out of Salt Lake City with a return flight the following weekend. We spend 2 to 2 ½ days with each Mentors partner organization we visit, meeting with local leadership and their clients. This will be interspersed with some history and sightseeing of the area. On the last day or two, the itinerary usually includes a visit to a featured tourist destination.

What is the Cost?

The anticipated cost starts at $2500 per participant, depending on the destination countries (based on double occupancy and departure from Salt Lake City). This cost covers airfare, transfers, hotels, entrance fees, breakfasts and lunches.

When is Mentors' Next Trip?

Currently, we offer trips twice a year. For more information or to request an informational package on EMI, please email us at mailbox@enterprise-mentors.org or call 801-676-7776.

Join us for A Week to Remember!

2008 Gala Event

Many more details to come.