Tag Archives: employers

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Career Fair Provides Opportunities for Students to Connect with Top Employers 

By Ameera N. Buchanan   

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University’s Career Development Center hosted its annual Spring Career Fair for all majors recently, providing students with opportunities to secure internships and employment. 

The event, themed “Spring Into Your Career Success,” encouraged students to approach recruiters with energy and confidence. Held at TSU’s Gentry Complex Center, the fair featured over 100 companies, offering students an array of opportunities to network, learn, and potentially secure internships or job placements. Several students even participated in on-the-spot interviews with prospective employers. 

Companies from a wide range of industries including engineering, aerospace, banking and healthcare attend the Spring 2025 Career Fair.

Ashtyn McLucas, a junior majoring in mass communications, said he valued the variety of educational programs and professional development opportunities presented at the fair. 

“They [employers] had educational programs that help you in your field, as well as programs that place you in internships,” McLucas said. “It was encouraging to see recruiters genuinely interested in helping students prepare for their careers,” McLucas noted. 

While McLucas expressed his excitement for the recruiters and their efforts, Elijah Bryant, a TSU junior majoring in business information systems, emphasized the networking opportunities provided by the event. Bryant, who has attended career fairs at TSU in the past, stated that this is an event he looks forward to every year for internship opportunities.  

Elijah Bryant

“I really appreciate the TSU Career Development Center and everything that they do for us as students,” Bryant said. 

The Career Development Center hosted workshops and resume reviews leading up to the event to ensure students were well-prepared and confident. 

Among the career fair recruiters was Jada Carter, a recent TSU graduate who now works for Bank of America. Returning to her alma mater in her role as an employer, Carter saw familiar faces and spoke about the bank’s commitment to connecting with TSU students. “Bank of America has a long-standing partnership with TSU, and we’re always looking to bring more talent on board,” she said, encouraging students to apply early. 

Sydney Head, a Tuskegee University alumna, represented her employer, BWX Technologies, at the fair. The company provides nuclear components, fuel, and services to the U.S. government and commercial customers. 

TSU alumni Jada Carter, left, and Darius Boyd, center, with another Bank of America representative during the Spring 2025 Career Fair.

As a fellow HBCU graduate, Head expressed her passion for outreach and supporting HBCU students. “Coming back to an HBCU allows me to bridge the gap and create opportunities for students,” she said. “I am able to offer advice and tips that I would have appreciated when I was a student.” 

Head emphasized the importance of preparation in helping students stand out. “Your resume and interview responses help differentiate you from other candidates,” she said, urging students to develop both with their unique strengths in mind. 

The TSU Career Development Center continues to prioritize student success by hosting events that connect students with potential employers. With strong alumni support and participation from various companies, the annual Spring Career Fair remains a pivotal opportunity for students to take the next steps toward their professional goal. 

For more information about TSU Career Development Center, visit www.tnstate.edu/careers . 

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TSU 2022 Fall Career Fair largest turn out in university history with over 1,000 students

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Over 1,000 TSU students will be better prepared for internships and the job market following the university’s Fall Career Fair. The students took advantage of meeting over 240 potential employers at the fair that included representatives from government agencies, aerospace, banking, engineering, healthcare, and several other industries. The employers set up tables and displays in the Gentry Center Complex to network with students about career and employment opportunities. 

Companies representing the automotive, engineering, aerospace, banking and healthcare industries attend the 2022 Fall Career fair. (Photo by Aaron Grayson)

“This is amazing,” Antoinette Duke, Director of the Career Development Center said during the event. “This is the largest career fair that we’ve had.” In preparation of the fair, the university held career readiness sessions at each housing location, on and off campus. The hands-on training sessions were led by executives and representatives of major companies such as Atria, PepsiCo, and Procter and Gamble. 

President Glenda Glover made an announcement mid-event stating how proud she was to see students seeking employment and thanked all the company representatives for coming. “We appreciate the support … thank you to our sponsors for being here,” Glover said.

Whitney Hawkins, a freshman health science major from Chicago, Illinois speaks with represnentives for Overhead Door Company. (Photo by: Aaron Grayson)

“And to the students, I look forward to you all being employees for the companies present, in the near future.”

Whitney Hawkins, a freshman health science major from Chicago, Illinois, said she was excited to see how many companies poured into her HBCU with internship and employment opportunities.

“I am open to learn about all these amazing companies,” Hawkins said during the event. “I am grateful that the school had this opportunity for us. They (employers) were really open and conversational.” While Hawkins was searching for internship opportunities to one day become a physician assistant, Reginald Cooper Jr., a rising senior from Memphis, was on a job hunt for opportunities related to health sciences.

Reginald Cooper Jr., a rising senior from Memphis, spoke with several employers as he seeks interest in a career related to health sciences. (Photo by: Aaron Grayson)

“It was very informative speaking with Fifth Third Bank, as it has been at all the booths,” Cooper said.

“It’s great to see how many booths have come back from the previous years to show that they have an interest in TSU students.” Cooper appreciated how all the employees at each booth was approachable, greeting him with a smile. “I found a lot of opportunities and I’m excited that I see a lot of TSU students here.”

Xenea Ford, a TSU graduate who attended the fair to represent her company, said it was a full circle moment to see how impactful the event was for her and current students. Ford is a 2017 graduate who is an Internal Account Manager for Jackson National Life Insurance Company.

TSU alum Xenea Ford, an Internal Account Manager for Jackson National Life Insurance Company, said her company is offering job and internship opportunities. (Photo by: Aaron Grayson)

“I actually found out about my company at a career fair at TSU in Kean (Hall),” Ford said.

“It feels really nostalgic and amazing to be able to be here. We are looking for diverse talent and I love that we are looking here at TSU. Harold Guy, another TSU alum who is an Account Executive for Enterprise fleet management, couldn’t agree more.

“I have been smiling from ear to ear since I have been here,” Guy laughed during the event. “I am excited to see the students dressing the part and coming in with their resumes.”

Employers said they were impressed about the students’ level of preparation and career readiness. (Photo by: Aaron Grayson)

Like many students, one of those rising seniors who had their resume on hand was Adrien Calvert who is studying Mass Communications.

“This is something to appreciate,” Calvert said noting that many companies told him there is a seat at the table for a communications major.

“We are about to get into the real world.” 

For more information about the TSU Career Services Department, visit https://www.tnstate.edu/careers/ .

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TSU College of Business strengthens industry partnerships by linking students with professionals

Tennessee State University’s College of Business is bridging curriculum with practical training for students by engaging business and industry professionals into the life of the college.

Through six advisory boards focused on specific aspects of their diverse degree programs, the college is preparing the next generation of business leaders for the workforce by making those connections while they are learning.

Frank
Retired Army Maj. Gen. Frank L. Miller, a retired senior Dell executive and former chair of the Supply Chain Management Governing Board, is credited with the vision behind the establishment of the College of Business’ Leadership Case Challenge Competition.

Among those alignments include Accounting, Alumni, Business Information Systems, Economics and Finance, and Supply Chain Management advisory and governing boards. The College of Business Advisory Board, designated for the entire college, has been active for more than 30 years and influential in bringing corporate support to the college. The Board has most recently sponsored a faculty retreat, offered scholarships, supported faculty research, and assisted the College in planning and orchestrating the Frank L. Miller, Jr. MBA Case Competition designed to provide MBA candidates with a forum to build and exercise their leadership skills.

Each board has specific goals but generally all work toward helping students find success while in the classroom and when they complete college.

“The jobs driving today’s economy require not only content knowledge in a given field, but those who can work well with others, communicate effectively and help companies solve some of the challenges they face,” said TSU President, Dr. Glenda Glover. “The expertise our advisory board members bring to the table are invaluable as our students learn to leverage and strengthen their skills for success in a competitive job market.”

Additionally, the boards, which are made up of professionals representing a cross-section of business and industry, focus on introducing students to potential employers, offer  mentoring support, raise funds for scholarships, provide internship opportunities, sponsor students to attend conferences, and professional and leadership development sessions, and foster a sense of giving back.

Jackson
Dr. Millicent Lownes-Jackson

“The College of Business has been deliberate in exposing students to real-world interactions as part of their academic experience. With the rapid advances that technology and other industry standards create in the global business environment, it is increasingly important that today’s business leaders are versatile and equipped in handling a number of trending issues,” said Dr. Millicent Lownes-Jackson, dean of the College of Business. “The mentoring, training, internships, scholarships, and career opportunities that our advisory boards provide not only help students with their academic preparation, but prepare them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers once they enter the workforce.”

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About Tennessee State University

With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 45 undergraduate, 24 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.