Starting Bloc New York 12 Institute for Social Innovation Application Submission for Essay Prompt #2 Eli Daquioag

The next slides highlight my top fives strengths and outline how I can use those strengths and my background to make a strong contribution to the StartingBloc community.

Can you find me?

If you want to have extra fun while going through my application, you can try to find me in all the big group pictures in the upcoming slides. Lets call it . . .

You feel renewed mentally, physically and emotionally each time you turn around a situation with your innovative thinking -Strengths Based Leadership _

I constantly challenge the status quo to figure out if theres a better way to do things and I set out to make those changes. This mindset falls right in line with StartingBlocs dedication to social innovation and I will bring those strong innovative skills to the community.

Southwestern Law School Orientation Leader Program (2009) I worked with my department to develop the first ever orientation-focused mentorship program. This eased the very difficult educational transition first-year law students have to make.

2011

2012

Riordan Fellows Casino Night I worked with my co-chairs to plan the first-ever institutionalized Riordan event targeted towards alumni. My casino themed event was very small but the seeds were planted and the next generation of Fellows grew it into something amazing.

Filipino Collegiate Collaborative College to Careers Conference (2011)As an alumni speaker, I shared my post-grad experiences with current UCSD students. I wanted them to be better prepared not only for their careers but also for their transition to the real world.

I use my strength in communication to serve as a mentor to various communities. I will bring the same attitude into the Starting Bloc space by sharing personal experiences that could positively impact Fellows (e.g. taking the GMAT, working with a start-up, etc).

Riordan High School Scholars Fun Day (2011)I was the first in my family to apply for college in the US and I remember not having much guidance. This is why I chose to mentor Carolina, a Riordan Scholar who was the first in her family to apply for college anywhere. Im proud to say shes now attending the University of Redlands.

The give and take of dialogue helps you appreciate what is right about your life and the world in general -Strengths Based Leadership

You gravitate to people who converse about ideas at a deeper and more thoughtful level than most individuals are capable of doing -Strengths Based Leadership
Global Immersion Module Fellowship (2012)In June, I will travel to Shanghai as part of an international business fellowship. GIM will give me powerful insights into the global business world.

My desire to consistently challenge my way of thinking, both personally and professionally, has exponentially expanded my perspectives on life. I aim to share those learned perspectives with StartingBloc Fellows.

My current work at Chegg is teaching me how to disrupt the education industry to help students save time, save money and get smarter.

Riordan MBA Fellows, Class of 2011This program has been instrumental for my professional growth and has helped me build my business acumen.

I didnt get into any of the business schools I applied to in 2011 but that experience only made me better. I took control of my career and I realized that business school is only one of many things I could pursue to achieve my professional goals.

This is me and my two younger siblings. As the eldest, I support them through their ups and downs and make sure they learn from the mistakes Ive made. I also didnt get into the Riordan Fellows Program the first time I applied. I didnt give up and not only did I get in the next year, but I took strong leadership roles within the organization.

Being number one is of less interest to you than making continual progress in your personal and/or professional life -Strengths Based Leadership - - -

My character is less defined by my successes and more defined by how Ive responded to failures. This understanding is something that I would use to help support and guide Fellows who may feel that they are struggling with any aspect of their life.

Without hesitation, you dive into conversations with old friends, new acquaintances, or even total strangers. -Strengths Based Leadership

This strength is why I build and maintain such strong relationships with so many different communities. Not only would I build similar relationships within the StartingBloc family but I would make it a point to connect and share my existing networks with them.

This is my family . . . and only my Moms side . . . and not everyone made it to the wedding! My passion for building strong relationships in a community started with my huge family.

UCSD Kaibigang Pilipino Graduation Ceremony (2007)This organization WAS my college life and the people in it taught me so much more than I ever could have ever learned in the classroom.

James Logan, Class of 2003I was away from my high school friends for 8 years but I always kept in touch and it feels great to be back around them.

Beyond the professional world, I can definitely say Ive made life-long personal friends from the Riordan Programs.

. . . and that is me, Eli Ralph Hidalgo Daquioag, and what I can offer to the StartingBloc community. Just in case you played EliFinder the next two slides have the answers: