Cheyney University News
October 29, 2014
Cheyney University Students Come Prepared for Fall Career Fair
When Justin Watkins graduates from Cheyney University in May 2015 and turns his tassel from the right to the left side of his cap, he hopes to already have a paying job lined up. The senior Management major from Atlanta, GA came to Wednesday's Career Fair in Marcus Foster Student Union ready to show the nearly 40 employers there that he has the right stuff.
"I've been in interviews before," he said. "This was a good job fair. I talked to Wells Fargo and Walmart and got some good feedback from them."
Senior Communication major Danielle London stopped by the fair between classes. She's thinking of a career that combines public relations and the hospitality fields. "I think it would be great to work for a hotel or cruise line. I'm even considering event planning," she shared. Dressed in business attire from top to bottom, she came armed with plenty of resumes. "The fair was good," she asserted. "I always think it's good for any opportunity you get to put yourself out there, to meet, greet, answer questions, and tell people about yourself."
Colin Milburn, a Human Resources Manager for Walmart, manned a table with colleague James Gardner. "We spoke with potential interns today. I like to come to recruiting events at Cheyney because the students that come out are typically career-minded and demonstrate initiative," Milburn said. "Walmart has an array of career opportunities. We have airplane pilots, pharmacists, public relations and human resources jobs and plenty of career fields that young people can get into."
Liz Martinec, Diversity Manager for the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources agreed. "Students need to stop by every table at the Career Fair and announce their major right away," she advised. "I might not be able to hire an Education major but I have information in these brochures right here,' she said, grabbing a stack of literature from her table. "If I don't have what they're looking for, chances are one of the other 49 state agencies does, so you never know." In particular, Martinec was looking for biology, hospitality, management, natural science and criminal justice majors.
"It was wonderful to have so many employers here on campus to bring job and internship opportunities for our students," related Ruth Brice, Director of Cheyney University's Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD), who organized the event. "Thirty-eight employers spent the day with us." The goal was to expose students to careers, job opportunities and the interview process."
Some of the representatives, including Patrick Robinson '91, District Manager for the Social Security Administration (SSA), were actually Cheyney alumni. With an office in Chester, PA, Robinson covers all of Delaware County and was hired right out of school when he graduated from Cheyney. He admitted that he was impressed by what he saw at the fair and would love to see another CU grad hired by the SSA. "The students are asking the right questions," he observed. "They came dressed for success. I encouraged them to upload their resume right to the Social Security Administration's website."
2014 CU graduate, Keystone Honors Academy Scholar and former Student Government President Ahn-Yea Graham was also recruiting students. After graduating from Cheyney in May, Graham began training with City Year, Inc. in August and has been working since September as a Resource Coordinator, working on a civic engagement team that works on different service projects such as MLK Day of Service to beautify the schools that City Year serves.
Some alumni also came to the fair. Marion Wilson '05 is a Director at Northeast Treatment Center in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from Cheyney with a Business Administration degree and, although he is already employed, he says he's always looking for a new opportunity. He spoke to some employers, got business cards and networked while on campus.
Students and alumni wishing to get help with their resume, career coaching, job search and other professional plans should contact CCPD Director Ruth Brice in 324 Burleigh Hall, 610-399-2330, rbrice@cheyney.edujavascript:void(location.href='mailto:'+String.fromCharCode(114,98,114,105,99,101,64,99,104,101,121,110,101,121,46,101,100,117)+'?'). The CCPD office is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
PARTICIPATING FALL CAREER FAIR EMPLOYERS
Abington Memorial Hospital
Brian's House
City of Philadelphia
City Year, Inc.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/ Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/ Department of Juvenile Justice
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania/ Department of Juvenile Probations
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania / Department of Public Welfare
County of Chester
Federal Air Marshals (TSA/DHS)
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Harambee Institute of Science and Technology Charter School
Janney Montgomery and Scott
Katz Graduate School of Business University of Pittsburgh
LegalShield
Mastery Charter School
Melmark
New Castle County Government
Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
Philadelphia Police Department
Resources for Human Development, Inc.
Robert Half
Rocky Run YMCA
Selective Insurance
SEPTA
Southeastern PA Fair Housing
State of Delaware
Student Conservation Association
U.S. Army
U.S. Mint
U.S. Peace Corps
Veterans' Services/Vietnam Veterans of America
Vanguard
Walmart
Walmart Distribution Center
Wells Fargo
Wyndham Garden Exton/ Valley Forge Hotel
SANDRA M. PHOENIX
Executive Director
HBCU Library Alliance
sphoenix@hbculibraries.orgmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org
www.hbculibraries.orghttp://www.hbculibraries.org/
800-999-8558, ext. 4820
404-702-5854
Skype: sandra.phoenix1
1438 West Peachtree NW
Suite 200
Atlanta,GA 30309
Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS)
Fax: 404.892.7879
www.lyrasis.orghttp://www.lyrasis.org/
Honor the ancestors, honor the children.