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For Students In Free Enterprise members, using their professional skills to give back to Malibu is business as usual. From service learning with a business spin to national competitions, SIFE gives its members many opportunities to give back while learning about the business world.
SIFE members said their biggest obstacle lies in the connection most people make with SIFE and Sigma Nu — a fraternity that was ousted from Pepperdine two years ago. At the time, many members of Sigma Nu were also in SIFE, so SIFE shouldered Sigma Nu’s rap. This reputation is undeserved, said Gabriella Neumann, SIFE president.
“They are like any other member of the organization, just trying to help people out and gain some experience,” Neumann said.
SIFE’s projects are unique in that they give members real-world business experience while helping people.
SIFE Web master Paul Kittlaus said the club is a “business-oriented organization that is committed to serving communities while developing leaders.”
Every year, members have the option of participating in a number of projects. One project, the Malibu Labor Exchange, had members learn from a Wells Fargo representative about the intricacies of banking and credit. The members then used what they had learned to hold bilingual seminars for Latino workers in need of business advice.
Another project had members consult a local Boys and Girls Club and help them gain financial stability and public visibility. All of the projects a chapter of SIFE does culminate and are presented in one big competition at the end of the year.
Each year, Pepperdine’s SIFE chapter attends competitions where the team presents details from projects. The judges at these competitions are business representatives who area are looking for potential employees among the SIFE members.
Many members of SIFE see this as the most exciting part of the year. Their enthusiasm shows — in SIFE’s five years at Pepperdine, the chapter has made it to nationals twice.
The competition is also a great opportunity for members of SIFE as many large companies set up booths that accept resumes for internships and job opportunities.
SIFE is an international club, and at Pepperdine there are 40 active members. The group is interested in growing in number and hopes to overcome its reputation as being connected to Sigma Nu.
More information about SIFE is available at http://studentorgs.pepperdine.edu/sife
Submitted 09-08-2005
MALIBU, CA
