Nicolas Doron in Plant Park. Photo courtesy of Victoria Hunt.
By Victoria Hunt
Club President Nicolas Doron and his team of officers are kickstarting an Association of Latino Professionals For America UTampa Chapter and anyone can join.
TAMPA, Fla. — “A lot of people close the door on this organization because it has Latino in the name,” said Nicolas Doron, President of the on campus Association of Latino Professionals For America UTampa Chapter (ALPFA) when asked about the challenges of starting this club.
ALPFA is a nationwide organization with established chapters in cities, including Tampa. It is the first Latino professional association in the United States and was established in Los Angeles, California in 1972. The organization continues to grow with around 160 student chapters and 45 professional chapters.
Nicolas describes the chapter in three words: “community, professionalism, and networking.”
There are around 200 clubs at the University of Tampa that offer career growth opportunities, but ALPFA is nationally backed. This means that members gain entry to annual regional and national symposiums. Members of ALPFA will have access to grow their careers beyond just on campus.
Nicolas recalled going to his first networking event at the University of Tampa.
“I found it really overwhelming to just be standing there with my resume.” Nicolas said “It’s not a normal way for me to socialize with professionals.”
He emphasized that the University of Tampa’s ALPFA chapter offers a more intimate type of relationship when networking.
Nicolas explained that this past summer he went to a four day ALPFA recruiting convention with hundreds of companies in a variety of career fields. He pointed out that the convention was a life changing experience and his goal is to be able to send members of the chapter to that convention.
“I can not stress it enough, I want more people from outside the Latino community to get involved because at the end of the day it’s all about community and building a network,” said Nicolas.
According to the official ALPFA website, “while ALPFA is a Latino-focused organization, it is not Latino-exclusive.” Anyone who supports the mission can become a member regardless of their race or ethnic background.
Working with other on campus clubs can determine the success or failure of a networking club.
When asked about his hope for the club five years from now Nicolas said, “I want to work with other clubs, like the Personal Finance Club, Women in Business, and the Microfinance Club.”
He is very passionate about the club, has a lot of aspirations for its future and described the opportunities he wants to offer members.
Nicolas said, “On October 15th at Regions Bank, we’re going to do a budget simulation game where you could practice your personal finances. We’re going to have regents, representatives, and possibly recruiters.” The event will be announced on the ALPFA UTampa Instagram.
Additionally Nicolas said, “Before the end of the semester I want to have an internship opportunity for people.”
The UTampa ALPFA chapter is hosting a kickoff event on September 24th. Members can expect the kickoff to introduce the organization and the mission. President of the ALPFA chapter in Tampa Bay, Erica Littlejohn, will also be in attendance.
Nicolas explained that the kickoff will be an opportunity for members to give suggestions to the officers and would like it to be interactive.
When asked what he hopes members will gain from joining he said, “I hope that members become a lot more comfortable with putting themselves out there.”