Shane Savannah
Staff Writer
As a part of Alpha Week, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., held a “College 2 Corporate” forum in the Student Center Theater on Oct. 5. The forum was started at 7:06 p.m.- to both male and female students.
Students were asked to wear business professional attire and bring a copy of their resumes. The forum started with Alpha Phi Alpha member Bennie Walker asking all the students to give a brief introduction of themselves including name, major, and an adjective describing themselves.
Next, the first speaker of the night, attorney and Delta Phi Chapter Advisor Stuart P. Lott was introduced.
Lott’s presentation focused on the importance of good resumes.
Lott said, “Next to your degree, the next most important document you’ve got to have when coming out of Jackson State University is your resume.”
Lott deciphered each component of the resume from the heading section to the work section.
“Do not use job email in headings – use a professional personal email.” “Think situation, action, and result (SAR) when filling out the work section of your resume,” said Lott.
Associate Dean of Students, Laquala M. Coleman, was the second speaker of the night. Coleman’s main focus was communicating how to transition from college students to corporate leaders.
Landon Jordan, a junior criminal justice major from St. Louis, Mo., had remarks on a statement Coleman made in her presentation.
Jordan said, “One thing that I learned tonight was to ‘Never compromise your integrity,” said Coleman.
Coleman gave a personal example of how if she was asked to write a letter to suspend a student without enough information, “I would not do it. Even if I were to get fired, I could still go to another job and tell them why – it went against my integrity.”
Coleman also asked the audience has anyone established their personal brand. Two students raised their hands.
The final topic Coleman touched base on was “appreciating your journey.” Both Coleman and Lott assured the audience that everyone’s journey would not be the same. What works for one person may not work for another person when it comes to that person’s success.
At the end of the forum Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity President, Henry Goss, senior mass communications major from Jackson, Miss. was asked how the organization found the two speakers.
“Whenever we do our college to cooperate forum we like to utilize our resources. Brother Lott, who is our chapter advisor, has a wealth of knowledge in resume building. As for Ms. Coleman, we wanted someone to speak from the faculty and we wanted a strong female point of view on the topic,” said Goss.
From this event students were enriched in corporate world dos and don’ts that will hopefully help them both while at JSU and after graduating from JSU.
