SIFE,
an EPCC non-profit organization that stands for Students in Free Enterprise,
is known worldwide by over 37 countries. International companies that
sponsor this organization include Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, Heinz, Johnson
& Johnson, Estee Lauder, GE Consumer Products, Hallmark, and much
more.
In the United States, there are more than 800 campuses participating
in SIFE nationwide. Every year, these clubs compete in a regional
competition. The winning team then contends a month later to gain
the national championship. It doesn’t end there. A World Cup
contest is held for each country’s national winners. According
to the web-site, sife.org, “SIFE’s primary goal is to
create economic opportunities for others through the education of
specific topics.”
Nino
Gonzalez (L), the SIFE advisor, stands with club members in front
of their trophy case which is stocked with awards from past competitions.
Photo by Angelica Manukian
Rosalinda
Natividad, the coordinator for all clubs at EPCC, initiates and provides
support for the growth of student organizations. She recommended SIFE
because, “Fortune 500 companies recognize and seek to hire SIFE
members. It’s also a club that impacts the El Paso community
in a positive way.”
Club advisor, Nino Gonzalez, is an accounting professor of 12 years.
“I was approached four years ago by SIFE to install this organization
into EPCC.”
Last year they won the regional championship, which granted the members
$400,000 in prize money and trophies. This regional win allowed EPCC
to compete in the nationals, where they were the top 6 teams for the
two-year division.
Currently, the team is striving to win the 2007 national competition.
The contest involves giving a 24-minute power point presentation on
each of several subjects and an annual report to the judges. El Paso’s
regional district is being sponsored by Frito Lay.
Christina Bejarano, a business major, has been the Vice President
since fall of 2006. She joined SIFE to help the community.
“You constantly have to interact with people.”
Being the VP, she receives learning support from the non-profit organization,
Junior Achievement.
Workshops are given to people of a wide range of ages, from elementary
students to senior citizens. Bejarano said, “Through SIFE, I’ve
learned invaluable skills in ethics, economics, and entrepreneurship.
Plus, I gained more confidence in myself.”
On the web-site, sife.org, readers will learn a substantial amount
of information on this organization. It offers information on the
World Cup Competition, which is annually held in a major international
city. Last year’s World Cup competition took place in Paris,
France. The United States landed second place, while China won first.
Also, the web-site gives incentives to join the SIFE’s Alumni
network program. This entitles SIFE members, who have already graduated
from college, to become a judge at SIFE competitions, and to be eligible
to win the alumni award. This prize gives the winner $1000 and a $10,000
fund for a sponsor of the winner’s choice.
The website also details the judging criteria on regional, national,
and international competitions. It mainly tests the effectiveness
of each team’s presentations and how successful they were in
ensuring long-term sustainability. According to the web-site, “You’ll
be preparing for the real world by facing real world challenges.”
It also informs about their internship program, which offers a foreign
exchange in numerous countries. Students can spend three months assisting
SIFE organizations all over the world.
When asked why students should join this organization, Gonzalez replied,
“Because it gives them an opportunity to learn a lot of skills
such as leadership, presentation, teamwork, and much more. By being
a member, many career opportunities surface.”
“We’re trying to change the world by teaching our community
the free enterprise system,” said Gonzales, on SIFE goals. “This
involves the following: entrepreneurship, market economics, business
ethics, job success, and financial skills.” For more information
visit epcc.edu/faculty/ninog and click on the SIFE button. “Everyone
is capable of helping the community and making a difference,”
Gonzalez said.
