Today’s guest was

Enio Pinto, managing partner of The International Entrepreneurship Center

(IEC), in Newton, Massachusetts.  Accompanying Enio was Chad Huemme, another partner at the IEC and a professor of Global Studies at Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts and Tino Chow, entrepreneur, Singapore native, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) graduate and marketing consultant.   Today’s Hope Life Skills host was Maria Dasilva who welcomed Enio and Chad to Hope High School and introduced them to her Life Skills class.

Maria Dasilva gives her business card to Enio Pinto after giving Chad Huemme her card after welcoming both men to Hope High School before today’s Life Skills class.

Maria introduces Enio and Chad to her classmates at the opening of today’s Life Skills class.

Valentina Gomez-Rincon and Ruben Blanco welcome Chad Huemme to class as Travis Barbour welcomes Enio Pinto (top of photo) following Maria’s introduction at the start of today’s Life Skills class.

Enio begins his story of success as an international entrepreneur and emigre from Brazil.

Enio told the class he was born and educated in Brazil.  As a young adult, he decided to look for a job in America.  “When I was looking for a job in America while living in my native country of Brazil, I went on Monster.com and wrote the word ‘Portuguese’.   That’s was it!  Not ‘business’ or ‘marketing’ or ‘sales’ or ‘teaching’ job;  just ‘Portuguese’.  I believed the unique value I could bring a company was my ‘Portuguese’ language and appreciation of the Portuguese culture.  Babson College soon offered me a job”  Enio said.  “I believe when you’re

applying for a job, I encourage you to clearly state the value you can bring to the company or organization.”

Enio then stated the

best way to get job opportunities today “is through your network.

It’s who you know!   And, how well you develop your network will determine the value of your network.”   Enio informed students that for a network to help you reach your goals, you must stay in touch with people in your network.   Happy birthday greetings.  Congratulations when someone in your network has an accomplishment.  Condolences when someone experiences a loss.  And be prepared to respond when others in your network ask for your help.

Enio also advised students to think seriously about the type of person in their network.  Enio specifically spoke about the quality and diversity of a network.  “You want people who have good values;  people who are trustworthy and reliable.   Secondly,

it should be a diverse network of successful people with good values and different interests and backgrounds.  

As Mr Cronin often reminds you ‘if everyone in your network looks like you, sounds like you, has the same interests and background as you, you are missing out on exciting opportunities for your personal growth!’  This means if you like art, introduce yourself to technology people and people who like sports. If you’re an athlete, add some people in the arts to your network.  Their diversity will make you a more curious, wiser and, eventually, a more attractive prospect for companies looking for talented employees.

Finally, Enio

encouraged students to break out of their comfort zone

to take measured risks.   “Consider enrolling at a college or taking a job in a different state despite feeling you may not initially fit in.  Then, get involved, join different organizations to find the right group of diverse people who will make you the best person you can be.  It’s not easy but you ultimately become a better and stronger person”.

Today’s class ended with a Life Skills networking session.

Travis Barbour (left)  introduces himself to entrepreneur guest, Tino Chow.

Chanda Nuth (left) introduces herself and exchanges business cards with Enio during the networking session.

Enio speaks with Fernando Perez and Gisabel Salcedo during the networking session.

Manny Rivas shares the details of his paid summer internship at CVS Health and his scholarship to Providence College with entrepreneur and Suffolk University college professor, Chad Huemme.

Juan Corona (left) exchanges business cards with Tino Chow during the networking session.

Enio examines Ayobami Bankole‘s business card information during the networking session. Enio is probably considering asking for Ayobami’s help in contacting Nigerian companies to consider expanding their businesses into the United States.

Jose Orellana speaks with Tino Chow during the networking session.