Students network with local Texarkana employers during Crossing Paths connection event. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
TAMUT students networked with local employers through the Career Development Center networking event, Cross Paths. Employees guided and made connections with student attendees on the University Center’s third floor Thursday afternoon, November 1.
“Today we have a networking event. This is for our students to mix with employers, meet them, ask them questions about their career fields or just about their profession in general. Our theme this year is, ‘The World Awaits You’ to promote travel”, said Coordinator of Career Development, Samantha Armstrong.
Coordinator of Career Development, Samantha Armstrong describes the Crossing Path networking event a few minutes before it begins. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
“When we talked to the students, they always say it’s not what you know, it’s who you know in the career professional world. This allows students to create the professional connections with employers to talk with them a little bit about their professional journey and get some advice”, said Armstrong.
Local employers such as State Farm, Arkansas Dept of Human Services, and Encompass Health, connected various majors, classifications, and goals within their career aspirations.
Arkansas Dept. of Human Service representative, Martin Vernon connects with a student during the Cross Paths event. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
“We pretty much have opportunities that you are looking for from facilities, maintenance all the way to lawyers, so we like to provide information, a positive life, and other opportunities to the students”, said Martin Vernon of Arkansas Department of Human Resources.
“We are looking to get to know the A&M students that are in the business world for the next few years. Let them practice their interview skills, and hopefully someone who could join our team, whenever they’re ready. For the most part we sell and service insurance”, said Mckenzie Skinner of Kelly Ashbrook State Farm.
Students connect with various organizations, such as State Farm, Encompass Health, and Arkansas Dept. of Human Service. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Other local employers networked with different student attendees. “We have the Dept. of Human Resources, DPS Officers, crime labs, published author John Bunch who works here at A&M-Texarkana. He is a published photographer on the cover for People magazine. We have a big array of people on our Facebook and we sent it out in e-mails as well”, said Armstrong.
The employers described their expectations and qualifications with the students. “Someone who’s committed to helping customers. A self-starter that cares and will spend the time in getting to know and getting the right products to their customers”, said Skinner.
“Because we are Human Services-based, we’re looking for someone more personable, don’t mind working with people, have a good heart, and different things of that nature”, said Vernon.
“We look for enthusiasm and compassion. If you have the time and you want the hours, we are here. Volunteers work in the office with me, answering the phones. If you’re in the medical field, how do you feel about working with patients? We work with patients and their information is confidentiality. We work with a various of people. We want to know can you give that and do you care? Are you able to give to others? “, said Tonya Pace of Encompass Health.
The students also shared their goal aspirations regarding the campus networking event.
“I want to go to med-school and become a cardiologists”, said biology major, Neha Amberkr.
The biology major wants to attend a medical school in Ohio and connect with local Texarkana health-care professions.
“I’m looking forward to talking with the medical people around here and seeing if they have a part-time job or volunteering opportunities I can do. I have a background in EKG technician and have been certified. I was trying to find something around that”, said Amberkr.
Junior and Criminal Justice major, Mason Ladd checks out the Arkansas Dept. of Human Resources’ table. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
“I want to network with other employers and to check out the vibe”, said criminal justice major, Mason Ladd.
Interesting in criminal justice and health, criminal justice major describes his qualifications during the Cross Paths networking event.
“What I add to the table is hard work. Pretty good IQ and the willingness to learn”, said Ladd.
“I want to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics to teach at a high school, but around that time I want to pursue a masters and eventually a PhD, so I will be able to teach at a university”, said Mathematics major, Cashaun Harris.
The future Trigonometry or Calculus student also described his qualifications regarding teaching Mathematics.
“I feel like when it comes to Mathematics, it’s taught in a different way that it should be. That’s the problem I see alot of kids trying to understand”, said Harris.
2016 TAMUT Alumni, Life Share Blood Center’s Account Manager, Kyndra Davis and Jake Hamilton State Farm Insurance Self-Agent Percy Davis connects with Mathematics Junior major, Cashaun Harris. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Alumni graduates, Life Share Blood Center’s Account Manager, Kyndra Davis and Jake Hamilton State Farm Insurance Self-Agent Percy Davis connected with student, yet gave them valuable advice.
“I would suggest to start looking now. It’s okay to apply for jobs and say you are graduating this date. My brother actually did that and he got a job within his degree field. Be confident in yourself, because people like confidence. They put their trust in people that know what they’re talking about”, said Kyndra Davis, a recent A&M graduate.
“Never give up, keep being active, staying in the community, doing different things, because you never know who you may meet. Always keep it professional, because you maybe holding the door for someone that maybe a CEO and stay hungry. Don’t let rejection discourage you. You are probably going to get rejection, while applying for jobs. That made meant the job was not for me. Keep your resume tight and updated. Don’t give up”, said Percy Davis, a Mass Communication alumnus.
“They can take away some connections. People to talk to about their career field. Somebody to give them professional advice. They can take away inner personal skills and talking with the employers that you will need as a professional”, said Armstrong.