Professional and Leadership Development

Career Panel w/Northwestern University CSA and TASC

10918954_10101226859066415_8364367740239548441_o

Join Northwestern CSA, TASC, and TAP-Chicago for a diverse panel of Asian Americans from the finance, medical, legal, creative, and entrepreneurial fields. The panelists will speak to attendees about the intricacies of leadership, career development, and other topics impacting professional success.

The event will be relatively informal: following a brief auto-biographical introduction by each panelist, there will be few prepared discussion questions, and then open Q&A from the audience. After the panel, there will be an open reception and discussion, the event will end no later than 9 pm.

The panel will include the following speakers:
Rosalyn Chi, emergency medicine resident physician, University of Chicago Hospitals
Hari Hsanthanam, partner, Kirkland & Ellis’ intellectual property litigation group
Kelvin Leung, decision strategy group, Discover Financial Services
Josh Sin, brand experience designer, IDEO Chicago
Randy Tang, market maker, Belvedere Trading
Ernest Wong, founder/president of site design group, landscape architecture and urban design firm
The panel will be moderated by TAP-Chicago Vice President Hauwei Lien and TASC President Victoria Yang.

Location and Transportation
The event will be held in the Technological Institute, 2145 Sheridan Rd, Evanston in Room LR5 (http://maps.northwestern.edu/facility/132). The closest parking lots are the SGT lot on the northeast corner of Noyes and Sheridan (http://maps.northwestern.edu/facility/232) and the Noyes lot on the southwest corner of Noyes and Sheridan (http://maps.northwestern.edu/facility/229). Parking is free on campus after 4 pm on weekdays

The event is hosted by Northwestern’s Chinese Student Association and Taiwanese American Students Club with panelists provided by TAP-Chicago (Chicago Taiwanese American Professionals).

Leave a comment

Demystifying the CIA: Government Leadership & Professional Networking w KACC, NetIP, AScene, FAN, JASConnect, Kollaboration, Social Quarters

10397031_10154239443400397_5343719267103222996_o

A Government Leadership & Professional Networking Event

Sponsored by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Presented by Chicago Taiwanese American Professionals (TAP-Chicago) & The Korean American Coalition – Chicago (KACC)

The Central Intelligence Agency or “CIA” is responsible for the collection, analysis and reporting of foreign intelligence in order to protect the country’s national security. Get an inside look into this highly secretive government agency, and its rich history and structure from a diverse panel of Asian and Southeast Asian officers in positions of leadership. In this revealing session, you’ll hear about their unique experiences, and also learn about how the Agency recruits talented individuals into its various branches from accounting, foreign languages, economics, engineering, human resources and even, field operatives.

The event will take place in Sunda’s 2nd floor private event space, reserved exclusively for us. After the session, join us for a night of networking with CIA officers and active young professionals from our community partner & marketing partner groups in the city.

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres prepared by Sunda for attendees.

RSVP at Eventbrite by 10:30 pm, June 15th for free tickets.
http://bit.ly/CIANetworkingLeadership

Community partner: NetIP

Our Marketing Partners: AScene Chicago, FAN Chicago, JASConnect, Kollaboration Chicago, Social Quarters

There is limited seating, so get your tickets today! For questions or more information, contact us at Grant Wu, grant@tapchicago.org or Karen Hwang, khwang@kac-chicago.org

To learn more about TAP-Chicago visit http://tapchicago.org/

To learn more about KACC visit http://kac-chicago.org/

Leave a comment

Real Estate Seminar / First Time Homebuyer Panel w/KACC

10300002_10154271816735397_3876838339092776437_n

Join TAP-Chicago & KACC for a very special real estate and first time home buyer seminar/workshop. Learn the tips of the trade from our panel of distinguished and proven successful representatives of the industry from all 3 phases: real estate agent, mortgage/lender, and closing attorney. There will be a brief overview from each sector followed by Q&A.

Panelists:
Amy Duong – Jameson Sotheby International Realty
Dean Vlamis – Guaranteed Rate (mortgage)
Alex Pappas – Axia Law

Space is limited, so please rsvp via the Eventbrite link to guarantee your seat!
http://tapkacc-realestate.eventbrite.com/

if you need more information regarding this event please contact: Grant Wu – grant@tapchicago.org

Special thanks to Axia Law for hosting the event in their office conference space.

To learn more about TAP-Chicago visit http://tapchicago.org/

to learn more about KACC visit http://kac-chicago.org/

 

 

Leave a comment

TAP-CHICAGO and TAP-ILLINOIS present Professional Development Seminar with Ernest Wong and Erikka Wang

 

Ernest Wong Event1

TAP-Chicago and TAP-Illinois are hosting a professional and leadership development seminar featuring guest speakers Ernest Wong and Erikka Wang. Ernest is the founder of site design group ltd, an urban design and landscape architecture firm based in Chicago. Due to his many professional achievements, the Chicago Tribune named Ernest as “2010 Chicagoan of the Year”. Mr. Wong is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chinese American Service League (CASL), the largest social services organization in the Midwest serving Chinese Americans.

Erikka Wang is the co-founder and creator of the clothing boutique Akira. Ten years ago, Erikka and two friends combined their life savings and made her unique vision for the store a reality with no outside capital. Today, the Chicago-based boutique has 19 locations in the city and suburbs along with a thriving online store. Ms. Wang was named a Crain’s 40 under 40 in 2011. She is also member of the CASL Board of Directors.

Ernest and Erikka will discuss their professional and entrepreneurial careers as well as their involvement in service and leadership in the community. A Q&A session and networking will follow their presentations. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Schedule
7:00 PM-7:30 PM: Wine & Beer and Networking
7:30 PM-8:30 PM: Program, Discussion, and Q&A
8:30 PM-9:00 PM: Networking and Discussion

Registration: Limited free advance registration by Monday, December 9th, $10 general registration if space remains.
Register at https://www.wepay.com/events/tap-ernest-erikka

Getting There: Harrison Red line, HW Library Orange, Pink, Brown lines and numerous CTA buses, limited street parking.

Questions? Call or email:
Hauwei Lien 302.559.5948 | hauwei@tapchicago.org

Wine & Beer sponsored by site design group.

More about the Speakers
Ernest Wong is the President of site design group ltd and a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects Council of Fellows, the American Planning Association, and the Urban Land Institute. Ernest has directed many award-winning projects including Ping Tom Memorial Park, The Park at Lakeshore East, and the State Street Lightscape. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Ernest served on Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Transition Committee for Economic Development and Planning. He currently serves as a Commissioner on both the Chicago Landmarks Commission and the Commission on Cultural Affairs.

Erikka Wang was a leading force in the ideation and creation of well- known women’s clothing boutique Akira. With 19 locations in the city and suburbs along with a thriving online store, Akira’s corporate headquarters supports more than 200 employees.

More about CASL
With a $12 million annual budget, CASL provides youth, elderly employment training, family counseling, and education services to over 17,000 clients each year.

More about TAP-Chicago
http://tapchicago.org

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/608222039238590/

Leave a comment

Art of Leadership Diversity Conference w/Ascene and KACC

1390471_708910715804976_1669302109_n

Join TAP-Chicago, Ascene, and KACC for an one day leadership conference designed to enable and empower young professionals and college students to unlocking their potential to become leaders in their community, professional and personal lives.

The event will have speakers who are leaders and experts from various professional backgrounds in the arts and entertainment, politics and government, as well as business and entrepreneurship. It will be interactive as they will share their stories and experiences of how they became leaders and successful in their field.

There will also be an opportunity to receive advice from career counselors for resume and cover letter review and for mock interviews and we are also reaching out to various companies to be onsite for job recruitment as well.

There will be a complementary lunch buffet.

Registration:
$20 for college students
$30 for professionals.
Use discount code “TAP” for $5 off registration at http://aoldc.eventbrite.com/

Portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Chade Foundation scholarship fund

Sponsored by the CIA, Chade Fashions, and American Family Insurance

For more information see: http://aoldc.eventbrite.com/

Leave a comment

Public Speaking Skills Workshop with TAP-Chicago

Join TAP-Chicago for our third installment of the Public Speaking workshop series. Tackle the #1 fear in the world with a supportive group of friends!

The format of the workshop will be similar to that of Toastmasters, a non-profit organization with over 230,000 members worldwide. You’ll get a chance to refine and practice your public speaking skills among a group of peers who are all fighting to achieve the same goal. Members will provide each other with instant and anonymous feedback to help everyone improve.

(more…)

Leave a comment

Professional Sales Skill Development with TAP-Chicago

Join TAP-Chicago and John Martin of Sandler Training to learn about the science and psychology of sales and help take your career to the next level.

Many people hear the word “sales” and automatically associate it with the negative stigma of pressuring, manipulating, and pushing people into making a purchase. And yet, a lack of sales skills is cited as one of the biggest impediments to career advancement and entrepreneurial success.

(more…)

Leave a comment

Up Your Public Speaking Skills with TAP-Chicago

Come join us for round two of TAP-Chicago’s ongoing workshop on public speaking! Our inaugural session was a blast, and new attendees are more than welcome to join!

(more…)

Leave a comment

TAP-Chicago Public Speaking Workshop

“I read a thing that actually says that speaking in front of a crowd is considered the number one fear of the average person. I found that amazing – number two was death! That means to the average person if you have to be at a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy.”
-Jerry Seinfeld

We’ve all been there: clammy hands, dry mouth, a nervous quiver. Public speaking can be one of the most intimidating activities of our personal and professional lives — but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for TAP-Chicago’s inaugural ongoing workshop on public speaking!

The format of the workshop will be similar to that of Toastmasters, a non-profit organization with over 230,000 members worldwide. You’ll get a chance to refine and practice your public speaking among a supportive group of people all fighting to achieve the same goal. Members will critique each other with instant and anonymous feedback to help everyone improve.

Don’t let a fear of public speaking hold you back in your life and your career! Conquer it.

Getting There: Grand and State Redline Stop | Garage parking on Ohio/Ontario | Street parking along Dearborn and/or State |22 and 151 Bus Routes

Questions? Contact:
Jack Tian jack@tapchicago.org | phone: (630) 935-9991
Chen Chen chen@tapchicago.org | phone: (812) 223-2932

Leave a comment

Recap: Unmi Song Professional Development Seminar

It’s safe to say that Umni Song inspired us all today. She shared her views on the Asian American identity, her professional experiences, and broadened our perspectives on non-traditional career paths and opportunities.

The Asian American Identity
Growing up as a Korean American, Unmi often felt that others did not see her as an American because she didn’t look like one; she also received surprising comments about how well she could speak English. When she lived in South Korea, working for Gold Star Tele-Electric Company in Seoul, she also felt like an outsider. Even though she looks Korean, her limited Korean fluency made it difficult for natives to accept her as Korean.

The anecdote on this topic is short, but it clearly reflects the world Asian Americans live in. While we may identify with a certain nationality and culture, it isn’t always aligned to the perception of those we encounter.

Finding Your Passion
Unmi began her career in the private sector, holding positions in Gold Star Tele-Electric Company in Seoul, the First National Bank of Chicago, Citicorp Investment Bank in New York City, and Bankers Trust Company. While she enjoyed the work and the perks, she noticed one day that there are many others who want her job more than she wants it. She began to think about what she really wants to do, what would make her truly happy, and where her passion is. She decided that her passion is in giving back, in making a difference to the world, and this is what launched her self-exploration and what led to her career switch into the nonprofit sector.

Learning about a Different Career Path
Switching careers is not easy, especially when the switch is to completely unfamiliar and foreign ground. Unmi did not let that stop her, however. Instead, she spent a lot of time learning about the nonprofit sector through reading up on relevant literature and conducting informational interviews, talking to more than 100 people who work with and work in nonprofits. The information she collected helped her pinpoint where her skills and background could be applied and utilized in this different world.

One of the helpful tips she gave was on informational interviews. Informational interviews are interviews that job seekers conduct to help them learn about a specific occupation or organization. These are useful in terms of networking and also in getting an insider’s view on the jobs and organizations. When requesting an informational interview, it’s important  to state your purpose, to explain your skills and what you’re good at, and also to admit that there’s a lot you don’t know. When preparing for an informational interview, it’s helpful to think about questions that will guide you to your ultimate goal, for example: what can I do to be useful to the organization. With time, you’ll be able to refine your questions better to get relevant information, and eventually, your hard work will pay off, just like Unmi’s, when she landed her dream job. Twenty years later, she’s stayed at a job that other people still want, but this time, she wants it as much as everyone else does, if not more.

Giving Back
Working for a nonprofit is a lot different than working in the private sector. In the finance world for example, a project can take a lot of time and energy and stress before it is complete, but when it’s done, it’s done. However, when you work for a nonprofit, your work is never done. There is always more to do. While not everyone can or is willing to switch careers to the nonprofit sector, Unmi encourages everyone to give back. She says that Asian American Foundations receive less than 1% of donations. This may be because of the notion of Asians as model minorities– but Asian Americans need help, too. Whether it’s through community service or monetarily, we should all try to give back in ways we can.

After the talk, Unmi stayed with us to answer everyone’s questions. We are so grateful for her time and the inspiration she brought each and every one of us. Some member feedback are below:

“What an awesome and inspiring event! I’m so glad I went.”

“[I]t was a really touching one!…”

“Thanks! Interesting and moving at the same time. Glad I attended… Good job…”

“Had a great time there, thanks for organizing such an interesting seminar!”

Special thanks to Jack and to the Asian Professional Network, who put together this event. We look forward to more successful professional development seminars such as this one!

[Photo courtesy of Phil]

Leave a comment