WSSU Students Navigate Career Connections

By De'Zoria Sutton

WSSU students have access to career fairs, internships and employers, but knowing how to turn those opportunities into professional relationships is another skill entirely.

WSSU offers career resources including internships, job searches and employer connections. Its September Career and Graduate School Expo brought 1,900 students and more than 160 employers, according to Tanisha George Dennis, assistant director of Career Development Services.

For Keasia Shepard, a recent graduate now pursuing a master’s degree in health administration, professional connections came through leadership. As president of the Healthcare Management organization, she became involved with other organizations and faculty. “Being president over my major just came with making a lot of professional connections,” Shepard said. She also credits Healthcare Management faculty with connecting students to alumni and professionals. But when asked whether WSSU provides enough opportunities to meet people professionally, Shepard answered, “Yes and no.”

She said some events are scheduled from noon to 2 p.m., which can conflict with students’ classes. She noted that the. University also offers events later in the day and said students can gain opportunities by putting themselves out there. She considers the Expo one of the best opportunities.

While Shepard found connections through leadership, senior Healthcare Management major Maranda Fox said she has not yet made many “true” professional connections at WSSU, though she has built relationships with teachers, staff members and peers.

When asked whether students have to figure out networking mostly on their own, Fox answered, “Yes and No.”

“Professional connections should be a class or skill that is learned/acquired,” Fox said.

Her answer points to a larger part of networking: opportunities matter, but students also have to know how to approach them and turn conversations into professional relationships.

Dennis said Career Development Services helps students practice networking through résumé workshops, mock interviews, networking events, etiquette dinners, company tours and elevator-pitch workshops. “It is our responsibility at the Career Development Services office to make sure that you all are equipped,” Dennis said. For students who are still building those skills, the process can look different from one person to another.

  For Jameria Huling, a junior nursing major, professional networking is still a work in progress. She said she has not yet made many professional connections at WSSU but plans to become more involved this semester and next. Huling said approaching people can be difficult because she sometimes overthinks what to say. She wishes she had gotten more involved with faculty earlier, including attending office hours. Her doula internship has also given her experience in the hospital environment she hopes to enter. The experiences may look different, but they point to the same reality: There is no single timeline for building a professional network.

For students still figuring it out, building a network can start with joining a organization, having a conversation, asking a question or simply putting yourself in a room where an opportunity can happen. Career Development Services can also help students take that first step.