For Nick LoMaglio, lifelong South Side resident and successful global wealth management advisor, one of the keys to achieving professional goals is to start early. LoMaglio uses that key – and many more – to unlock a veritable treasure of expert advice and hands on examples through Advice Beyond the Classroom, a unique mentoring enterprise he founded in 2013 for helping teens find their trajectory for meaningful careers.
In January, LoMaglio will partner with BAPA to launch a free quarterly series of workshops for students in 8th grade to college at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. Reservations are appreciated and can be made at bapa.org.
The first workshop is set for Wed., Jan 5; doors open at 7 p.m. and the 1.5 hour workshop begins at 7:30, addressing topic #1: First Impressions. Workshops are designed to be interactive, fun, and entertaining, or, as LoMoglio called it, “theater with a professional tilt.”
“In our neighborhood we have a lot of talent and a lot of kids with soft skills, but, historically, they haven’t had the doors opened for them,” LoMaglio said. Advice Beyond the Classroom (ABC) is designed to open doors and a lot more. LoMaglio said that serious participation in ABC workshops will help young people identify a career they are interested in pursuing, then find out what it takes to do that career. And it can be any career – law, medical, education, business, you name it.
LoMaglio took his first steps on the path to his career at age 18, following sound advice from dedicated mentors and taking full advantage of an internship with the global financial services firm where he is currently one of the youngest Vice Presidents in Wealth Management. He’s a firm believer in paying it forward, and hopes that the young people who participate in ABC pay it forward by sharing what they learn with siblings, friends, and fellow students, who will also pay it forward.
Since 2013, LoMaglio has been conducting ABC seminars for high school students, starting with his alma mater, St. Rita of Cascia High School. The concept centers on helping students figure out what they do – and don’t – want to do with their professional lives, then providing the skills they need to get where they want to go. He works regularly with students at St. Rita, Mother McAuley High School, and Carmel of Mundelein.
LoMaglio will host the workshops and be a co-presenter with Katie Hawking, an ABC lead instructor and 2001 Mother McAuley graduate. LoMaglio will also bring in guest speakers, other ABC team members, and professional acquaintances who will share expert advice and ideas with the students. “They will get exposure to a lot of professionals from around the country,” LoMaglio said. “Networks are not built overnight; it’s about building relationships.”
The ABC sessions will include open networking opportunities with local businesses, designed to help the students better understand the range of jobs offered by small businesses and to start them on the path to developing networks. “The earlier you start, the longer you have [to build a network,” LoMaglio said.
LoMaglio took his first steps on the path to his career at age 18, following sound advice from dedicated mentors and taking full advantage of an internship with the global financial services firm where he is currently one of the youngest Vice Presidents in Wealth Management. He does limit the measure to dollars and cents; he’s a firm believer in paying it forward, and hopes that the young people who participate in ABC pay it forward by sharing what they learn with siblings, friends, and fellow students, who will also pay it forward.
On the ABC website (advicebeyondtheclassroom.org), the mission statement, Manufacture Luck, is explained: “Luck occurs when preparation meets opportunity. The Professional ABCs will help students construct the foundation of their future professional success. Our end goal is to create a competitive advantage for our participants in their professional careers.”
The workshops are about redistributing time, talent and treasure in the neighborhood to give young people the boost they need to find the career they want and learn how to be successful in that career. LoMaglio attended Sutherland School and says he owes much of his educational foundation to Chicago Public Schools. It’s also where he learned the importance of giving back to your community. Following his graduation from St. Rita, he studied finance at the University of Dayton.
LoMaglio lives with his wife, three sons and daughter in Beverly/Morgan Park.
