Career Development, OK; Fall Career Fest, not as OK

Dominik Colter talks with the S.C. Highway Patrol. (Panther photo by Demarie Deas)

By THALIA BUTTS

Claflin students from multiple majors expressed frustration about the Fall Career Fest on Sept. 20.

The Claflin University’s Office of Career Development hosted the annual event in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center’s Tullis Arena. The event featured numerous employers, from Gwinnett County (Ga.) public schools to McDonald’s.

Students were required to come dressed in professional attire with their resumes to network with the employers present, but some students felt there was nothing there for them.

Sophomore political science major Daijah Ray was “disappointed” with the event.

“I feel like they didn’t work on getting everybody’s major here. There’s a lot of police officers and I’m not interested in that. … I was just uninterested.”

With more than 50 employers present at the fair, 17 were state or government organizations and two were food companies. There was an obvious emphasis on public service and education, with virtually no emphasis on research opportunities or creative occupations.

Sophomore biology major Carla Gonzalez didn’t find any organizations that stuck out to her for what she wanted to do.

“I’m pre-med and I want to do research and internships that deal with the medical field, but there was not really any of that. I wasn’t really impressed with [the fair].”

Students did commend the Office of Career Development on its efforts to support students in finding employment.

“I feel like once I graduate from here, I will be able to find employment quickly. They do everything they can to make sure I get a job once I graduate,” said Xennia Chester, a sophomore business management major.

While they acknowledged the efforts, some students were concerned the Office of Career Development’s priorities are not entirely well-placed.

“I’m glad they have an emphasis on jobs and the employment process … but with our assembly classes, I feel like there’s more of an emphasis on quantity of opportunities than quality of opportunities,” said Emersen Frazier, sophomore political science major.

Displeased students also had recommendations for the Office of Career Development on how to better serve them as scholars.

“I think it would be equally as beneficial to focus on how to find a quality internship that fits your major and what you want to do in the future than just signing up for a bunch of them and not getting into any of them because you don’t fit the profile,” Frazier said.

While some students left unsatisfied with what was presented to them, Ray left with a new motivation to work more independently to reach her career goals.

“I know I need to work on finding internships by myself instead of worrying about Claflin putting stuff out.”

U.S. Secret Service recruiter Sheltanya Steadman gives some insight about the agency to Claflin students Eden Wiggins, Madison Whetstone and Kasey Smith. (Panther photo by Annchester Williams)

Claflin University held the Fall Career Fest in the Jonas T. Kennedy Health and Physical Education Center, offering understudies the chance to interact and associate with potential employers. (Panther photo by Annchester Williams)

‘This year will be one to remember’

 By TYMIYAH TYLER

 The Fall Career Fest changed career plans for one Claflin University student.

Held at Jonas T. Kennedy Center on Sept. 20, the annual event featured opportunities for students to branch off into their careers. Students had resumes and cover letters reviewed by vendors, who gave out information for students to read and educate themselves.

For physical education major Kentrell Salmond, “This year was one to remember.”

She decided to make a turn in her career plans by enlisting in the military.

“I will be able to have great pay and great benefits,” she said. “Joining the military, I will be able to expand my degree and go back to school without being in debt.”

She expects the decision to boost her career beyond school.

“Enlisting in the military, there will be many careers you can work with, not just

something dealing with your major,” Salmond said. “I will also have the opportunity to

travel, pay my loans from college and serve my country.

ABC Columbia representatives prepare their display at the Fall Career Fest. (Panther photo by Natrawn Maxwell)

Media, bank say positions, internships available

By TASHA SKINNER

 Vendors set up, take their place and provide students with information at the Claflin University Fall Career Fest.

Andrew Greene of Columbia was in Orangeburg representing 93.7 FM radio station (The People’s Station). It’s a community station through Direct TV that features old school, classic R&B, today’s hits, gospel and informative conversation.

 “’The People’s Station” is offering internships for the spring -- video production, interviews, PSAs, live broadcasting opportunities and script writing for students,” Greene said. “People say this medium is dying but it’s not, it’s transforming.”

Greene said he was in attendance to give students an opportunity to better understand what broadcasting really is and what exactly he does at his job.

Jason Andrews of Lexington represented ABC Columbia. He said the TV station is offering internships and reporting positions, and early applicants in the fall and spring.

“We’re here on behalf of the news department giving out these offerings for students,” Andrews said.

Courtney Hezekiah of North Charleston said South State Bank is recruiting for 100 positions, mainly tellers and customer service. Internships and summer teller positions are available.

 “I have a background in working in human resources, so this was my opportunity to do something that I wasn’t completely uncomfortable with” said Hezekiah, four months into her recruiting position.

The Fall Career Fest was held Sept. 20 at Jonas T. Kennedy Center. (Panther photo by Demarie Deas)

Freshmen, upperclassmen differ on event 

By KIERRA FELDER

Freshmen hold a different view of the Claflin University Fall Career Fest than upperclassmen.

Freshmen said the annual event held Sept. 20 was not as accommodating for them because they have little to no experience with successful businesses such as Boeing, Charleston County School District and Blue Cross-Blue Shield. 

“The career fair isn’t benefitting us as first-year students because some of us don’t have a lot of experience in the field we are studying as undergraduate students,” freshman biology student Naomi Anderson said. “If we do as freshman have some experience, they may overlook our application over the upperclassman who has more experience than me.”

Sophomores, juniors and seniors say the event has improved more each of their years at Claflin.

“There are more opportunities here today from my freshman year,” said Angel Hauge, junior political science major. “They could use some help with bringing more political science vendors her.

Hauge cited immediate opportunities for students.

“What I enjoy seeing the most when I walked in was the local jobs here, like Waffle House. It gives students the opportunity to work a part-time job while working on receiving our bachelor’s degree, giving us a taste of balancing the real world,” she said.

“The great thing about the career fair is that every student has the choice to fill out a survey of what should be changed -- likes, dislikes, and more improvement,” Hague said. “The more students attend and fill out the survey, the more improvements and more opportunities will come.”

A representative from Republic National Distributing Co. explains opportunities to a Claflin student. (Panther photo by Shakari Riley)

A student receives information from a Healthy Connections representative, who said,  “We offer many jobs in different fields, so you’re not just limited to doctor or nursing positions.” (Panther photo by Tyrrell Campbell)