CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
	OMAR GARCIA “Account Manager - Mexicana Airlines” B.B.A., International Business May 2005 graduate

(4/23/2009) It’s hard to believe that four years have passed since I graduated from St. Edward’s University.  Looking back to that time, I never could have imagined where I’d be working four years later, but I am truly fortunate for the direction my career has taken me.

Currently I hold the position of Account Manager with Mexicana Airlines.  I started at Mexicana in 2007.  My entry-level title was Sales Executive during which time I trained under excellent leadership.  I learned quickly that to be successful in the airline industry and in regional sales you have to work 24/7 and you have to take advantage of every learning opportunity.  Working for an airline with the most extensive international coverage from Mexico and the leading transportation company between Mexico and the United States requires that you meet with business executives on a regular basis, that you develop an extensive business network, and that you sharpen your communication and marketing skills. 

When I was a student at St. Edward’s, I remember how my professors emphasized the importance of communication skills, problem solving skills and ethics. I can now see that the lessons I learned at St. Edward’s helped me in my career.
I recommend to SEU students that you plan ahead for your career, take advantage of services offered by the Career Planning office, and try to get experience and do internships before you graduate.  I also recommend that you learn a second or third language.  I am bilingual in Spanish and English and I minored in German. When I graduated I attended the Goethe Institute of Language at University of New Mexico and received a certificate in German.  Then I moved to Koblenz, Germany and studied at the University of Koblenz.  Doing study abroad exposes you to real-life challenges.  I faced communication barriers, cultural integration issues and even some discrimination all in one year.  I maintained a positive attitude and with the help of a mentor I learned to adapt and I accomplished my goal of gaining more confidence with the German language. 
I returned to the United States in 2006 and I explored graduate school and job options. Searching for a job is very time consuming.  I spent many hours in Career Planning updating my resume, rehearsing for interviews and learning how to network.  I attended networking meetings through the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and connected with as many business professionals as possible.  I worked part-time jobs to support myself, but I continued to job search and network.  One of the jobs I worked was with Texas A & M University System in Austin.  I drove the university chancellor and administrators from the airport to the state capitol.  It was an excellent opportunity to connect with university officials and it was through a gift from one of the administrators that I connected with Mexicana Airlines.  One of the A & M administrators offered me a ticket to a Hispanic conference in San Antonio, and he told me I would meet lots of business CEO’s.  I sat at the VIP banquet table and was immediately approached by several companies.  Mexicana was one of those companies.  I was invited to interview, I practiced my interviewing skills and I apparently did well, so the rest is history. 

I learned a LOT during my first few months with Mexicana and my responsibilities increased over time.  I am proud of my accomplishments and I really enjoy my job. I travel on a weekly, sometimes daily basis to Europe and Latin America.  My message to St. Edward’s students is “Take advantage of all the resources St. Edward’s offers you and build your resume with internships and study abroad.”  I did, and it has paid off!