Kristoff Ayala-Strachan, a senior at Saint Augustine鈥檚 University ( 探花精选) majoring in political science, learned last spring about a summer internship opportunity with the City of Raleigh through an email from the Professional Development and Career Services Center (PDCSC). He quickly applied. Later, he went to a Career Fair sponsored by the PDCSC and noticed recruiters from the city there.

鈥淭hey told me about this internship, and I said I already had applied, and they were like, 鈥榃hat?鈥� 鈥� Strachan recalled. 鈥淎nd they went on their laptop and said, 鈥極h, you do have an application with us.鈥� 鈥�

Strachan got the internship. He spent the summer of 2024 helping with a drive to convert the city鈥檚 vehicle fleets from gas to electric and educate city employees about the new vehicles.

Noah Wheeler, a senior majoring in computer information systems, was eager to land an internship with SAS, one of the nation鈥檚 leading computer software companies. She was ready when she saw a SAS recruiter at a Career Fair 鈥� thanks to the PDCSC.

鈥淗aving a Career Closet and Dress for Success lets us know how to present ourselves so when we do get those interviews, we can show up with our best selves,鈥� she said. Those programs, operated by the PDCSC, provide students with professional attire at no cost and coach them on how to present themselves as a professional.

Wheeler got an internship with SAS. She spent the summer of 2024 as a technical support intern. Her responsibilities included helping college professors nationwide navigate the company鈥檚 software.

If it takes a village to succeed, as the saying goes, count the Professional Development and Career Services Center as a crucial part of 探花精选鈥檚 village. It’s probably no accident when students land summer internships or good jobs after graduation. The PDCSC has several programs to help students transition to the working world.

鈥淭he overall goal,鈥� explained Michele Johnson, Director of the PDCSC, 鈥渋s to prepare students to be work leaders and to be driving forces in whatever company or internship where they choose to work.鈥�

The PDCSC does not do it alone; churches donated clothes for the Career Closet and Dress for Success programs. Another service the center offers is mock interviews conducted with representatives of local companies who come to 探花精选 to volunteer their time helping students. The mock interviews are taped and later critiqued.

The PDCSC also helps students prepare resumes and offers one-on-one counseling.

The PDCSC tries to get students to 鈥渋nvest in themselves and to remember that presentation is everything,鈥� Ms. Johnson said.

The university gets pretty good buy-in from local companies and students themselves. The last Career Fair, held Sept. 19 at Shaw University in collaboration with that institution, attracted 60 organizations ready to interview 探花精选 and Shaw students, including Duke Health, Red Hat, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the City of Raleigh, Skool Kast, and several state agencies and universities.

Participation from students in PDCSC activities is close to 100 percent, Ms. Johnson said.

In the Summer of 2024, the PDCSC documented 39 students gaining summer internships. In addition to SAS and the City of Raleigh, companies where they worked included Disney, the U.S. Department of Energy, Wells Fargo Bank, Deloitte, the prestigious accounting firm, and Medtronic, the multinational healthcare technology company.

探花精选 honored students recently with Oscars Achievement Awards 鈥� our version 鈥� for their accomplishments this past summer.

Associate Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications Demarcus Williams highlighted the awards in a recent edition of Bird鈥檚 Eye View 鈥� 探花精选鈥檚 online news and information show. 鈥淲e want to acknowledge the achievement of more than 20 students who worked at several major corporations as well as local and state government jobs,鈥� Williams said. 鈥淭he purpose of this is to highlight the importance of students using the services at the Professional Development and Career Services Center.鈥�

Wheeler and Strachan represented Oscar award winners on the Bird鈥檚 Eye View show. Wheeler is the 74^th Miss 探花精选, and Strachan is the president of the Student Government Association.

Both said they made the most of their opportunities. Wheeler said she was selected to participate in an internal log analysis, an important project for SAS. Strachan was chosen to introduce guest speakers at one event.

Strachan recalled the day the City of Raleigh interns introduced themselves at the beginning of the summer. Although all the other students were from larger, more well-known institutions, he was not intimidated.

鈥� 鈥業鈥檓 from the historic downtown university, Saint Augustine鈥檚,鈥� 鈥� he recalls saying. 鈥淚 had a point to prove. 鈥 was as voluble as anyone else there. I may not come from a school with the numbers or the resources of other schools, but I could still contribute.鈥�

Click here for more information about PDCSC activities, or contact Michele Johnson at rmjohnson@st-aug.edu.

The list of summer internships for 探花精选 students in 2024 is below.

Internships 2024

Postgraduate

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The Professional Development and Career Services department at 探花精选 spearheaded these remarkable events, setting a new standard for student engagement and employer connections. The inaugural VIP Ballers Student/Employer Sneaker Ball Gala, a first-of-its-kind affair, combined sophistication and style in a way that captivated attendees and left lasting impressions.

鈥淎t 探花精选, we champion innovation and progress. These events showcase our steadfast commitment to empowering students and forging meaningful relationships with leading employers,鈥� said 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. 鈥淭he VIP Ballers Sneaker Ball Gala was a resounding success, affirming 探花精选鈥檚 leadership in student-focused initiatives. 探花精选鈥檚 commitment to nurturing talent and creating opportunities knows no limits. The National Career Ballers Association Fair exemplifies our dedication to shaping tomorrow鈥檚 leaders.鈥�

The gala evening, a spectacle of talent and professionalism, saw students donning cocktail attire paired with stylish sneakers, embodying a fusion of elegance and contemporary fashion. Employers praised the dynamic speed meetings that mirrored a strategic game, punctuated by engaging discussions and opportunities for networking.

Students at the VIP Sneaker Ball

鈥淭he VIP Ballers Gala was a game-changer for our students and staff,鈥� said Ms. Michele Johnson, Director of Career Services. 鈥淚t exemplified our dedication to creating unique opportunities and fostering connections that transcend traditional boundaries.鈥�

Building on this success, 探花精选鈥檚 National Career Ballers Association Fair took center stage the following day, embracing an NBA theme that resonated with participants. The vibrant atmosphere saw students and employers sporting casual professional attire alongside their favorite NBA or college jerseys, paying homage to iconic sports figures.

鈥淚 feel that the Career Fair is a great opportunity, and I hope to see more of it for students to receive hands-on experience and networking to leverage their careers,鈥� said Emmanuel Bryant, a senior majoring in business management and an intern with Toshiba, in an . 鈥淚nternships are

important for freshmen and sophomores because the earlier you start, the earlier you figure out what you want to do.鈥�

The fair, a convergence of talent and ambition, facilitated dialogues between students and employers, providing a platform for career exploration and growth. Participants immersed themselves in the energetic setting, engaging in insightful conversations and forming connections that transcended traditional boundaries. The following employers and graduate programs were in attendance.

• NC Real Estate Commission
• NC Bankers
• SAS
• North Carolina Department of Adult Correction
• City of Raleigh PRCR Parkes and Natural Resources
• City of Raleigh/Partnership Raleigh Intern Program
• Duke Health
• Raleigh Police Department
• Wegmans
• Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions
• City of Raleigh
• North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
• NC Dept of Revenue
• Environmental Protection Agency
• US Department of State
• North Carolina Central University – School of Graduate Studies
• State Employee Credit Union
• Luihn VantEdge Partners, LLC
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Toshiba booth at the Career Fair

鈥淭he National Career Ballers Association Fair provided a platform for students and employers to connect in a dynamic and unique setting,鈥� said Associate Vice President of Professional Development & Enterprise Services Dr. Cindy Love. 鈥� 探花精选鈥檚 commitment to fostering talent and facilitating opportunities shines through events like these.鈥�

As 探花精选 continues to forge ahead, these visionary career events are a testament to the university鈥檚 resilience and unwavering focus on student success. Despite external challenges, 探花精选 remains steadfast in its mission to empower students and cultivate a thriving academic environment.

探花精选 students have secured almost eighty internships for this academic year. Click here to learn more about the 探花精选 Professional Development and Career Services.

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“The achievements of our students at DevCon 2024 exemplify the dedication and resilience that resonate within the foundation of Saint Augustine鈥檚 University,鈥� said 探花精选 Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. 鈥淲e are immensely proud of their success and confident that they will continue to serve as trailblazers and leaders, not just for themselves, but for their communities and the world.”

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The program aimed to scale TMCF talent identification services, create pathways for historically marginalized students, advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and equip partners with best practices for recruiting and leading diverse talent. 探花精选 students participated in the conference and excelled in various facets of the program, showcasing their leadership and scholarly abilities.

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探花精选 had seven students at the conference, each of whom demonstrated exemplary dedication and talent. Ali Da-Costa Paul, Andrea Diaz, Ana Nu帽ez, Ryan Spruill, LeDrico McCullough, Devin Nixon, and Nyia Howard represented 探花精选.

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Devin Nixon was honored as a speaker at this year’s DevCon after receiving a Wells Fargo Scholarship last year and securing a prestigious Medtronic Internship this summer. His participation in the opening ceremony on March 6 inspired all attendees as he shared his transformative experience at DevCon, highlighting its profound impact on shaping him as an individual and scholar.

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鈥淸The night of the opening ceremony] was a profound moment in my journey as I had the incredible opportunity, graciously bestowed upon me by the divine, to share my personal testimony and shed light on the lives of over 500 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at the 2024 TMCF DevCon Conference,鈥� said Nixon in a 鈥淚t was heartwarming to witness the impact my story had on individuals, as many approached me afterwards, their eyes alight with newfound inspiration and gratitude.鈥�

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On the final day of the program, 探花精选 students’ achievements continued to shine. LeDrico McCullough was awarded a $5,000 scholarship, presented by Michelle Bridgerton Williams, recognizing his outstanding commitment to academic excellence and leadership. Ryan Spruill was selected as one of the 10 TIAA B2B Scholars, affording him the opportunity to embark on a six-week virtual program, a testament to his remarkable potential and capability.听

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The participation and triumphs of 探花精选 students at DevCon 2024 highlight their exceptional capabilities and the university’s commitment to fostering leadership, scholarship, and inclusivity. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s sponsorship and support have played a pivotal role in empowering these students, enabling them to thrive and make a lasting impact.

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to learn more about TMCF鈥檚 DevCon Professional Development Conference.

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“Watching our students receive the Oscars Internship awards for their summer internship experiences was an incredibly proud moment for our institution,” said 探花精选 President Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail. “These outstanding students have showcased their talent and dedication, representing 探花精选 with distinction and making a lasting impact in prestigious organizations nationwide. Their achievements exemplify the transformative power of internships in shaping successful careers, and we are excited to witness their continued growth and success.”

The students recognized at the awards ceremony were as follows:

• Ashley Weekes, Deloitte, Raleigh, NC.
• Louis Keenan Lowndes, Deloitte Consulting, Charlotte, NC
• Tadiwanashe Rukasha, Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions, Durham, NC
• Emmanuel Bryant, CliftonLarsonAllen, Charlotte, NC
• Peter Musenge, Hewlett-Packard Inc. (HP), Spring, Texas
• Cameron X. Moore, Deloitte, Charlotte, NC
• Sthepanie Sierra Medina, Zonya Autmon, State Farm Insurance, Durham, NC
• Andrea Diaz, Zonya Autmon, State Farm Insurance, Durham, NC
• Imani Crosby, NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
• Nathan Swain, NC State University, Raleigh, NC
• Miles Beasley, United States House of Representatives, Washington, DC
• Sheree Wright, NC State University, Raleigh, NC

“Both myself and Ms. Michele Johnson, who serves as the Director of The Professional Development and Career Services Center, agree that the students at 探花精选 are outstanding and make every effort to grow, learn, and lead in their prospective professions as they become our next generation of world leaders,” said Dr. Love, Associate Vice President of Professional Studies and Enterprise Services. “We are proud of their accomplishments from their experiential learning experiences during the summer 2023 term. Our goal is to continue to support their growth and development while connecting them to community partners globally.”

In addition to the students recognized at the Oscars Internship Awards program, Saint Augustine’s University is proud to have had over 70 students participate in summer internships across various industries and institutions. Some of the remarkable companies and educational institutions where 探花精选 students interned include the following companies and institutions:

• Ball State University, Graduate Program, Muncie, IN
• TT Madrid TEFL Certification, Madrid, Spain
• Southeast Raliegh Promise (SERP), Raleigh, NC
• Wells Fargo Human Resources, Charlotte, NC
• Granahan Investment Management, Boston, MA
• Credit Suisse Technology, Raleigh, NC
• Savannah State University, Savannah, GA
• YMCA, Raleigh, NC
• Omnicon Media Group, Charlotte, NC
• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
• University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
• University of Delaware, Newark, DE
• Davidson College, Davidson, NC
• Woods Hole Partnership Education Program, Woods Hole, MA

Click here to view the gallery from the Fall 2023 Oscars Internship Awards

Click here to learn more about The Professional Development and Career Services Center.听

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The program provides interns with an immersive professional experience that will increase their competitiveness in the job market. Saint Augustine鈥檚 University is happy to share that we have five (5) students representing the university in this program for the 2023 summer term.听听

From left to right, they are:听

1.)听Breanna Dorway听鈥� Wells Fargo 鈥� Charlotte, NC

2.)听Sthepanie Medina听鈥� State Farm Zonya Autmon,听Business Owner/Agent 鈥� Durham, NC

3.)听Emmanuel Bryant听鈥� CLA CliftonLarsonAllen 鈥� Charlotte, NC听

4.)听Tamia Powell听鈥� State Farm

5.)听Andrea Diaz听– State Farm Zonya Autmon,听Business Owner/Agent 鈥� Durham, NC

Career Services and the entire campus wishes you well on this great opportunity! Be great, learn, and excel!听听

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NABA is a professional association that assists Black professionals in achieving successful careers in accounting, business, and technology. 探花精选’s student chapter of NABA recently hosted a two-day ChangeMakers Summit fully sponsored by Wells Fargo.

The first day included a panel discussion with 探花精选 alums who are professionals at Wells Fargo. They provided tips and advice for being successful academically and professionally. They also gave guidance for obtaining Wells Fargo internships and entry-level positions.

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Wells Fargo Panelists (with 探花精选 class): Breanna Dorway (’24) – HR Intern; D’Ontre Gilliard (’22) – Program Analyst; Joneka Smith (’05) – Lead Control Management Officer; and Julian Macaulay (’04) – SVP, Control Management Director.

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The second day included a community service event with over 30 students, Wells Fargo professionals, and School of Business faculty/staff. As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, some volunteers posted flyers in all the academic buildings to shed light on support services for victims. Other volunteers packed bins with hygiene items, household goods, cleaning supplies, and encouraging cards/tote bags. Upon completion, 40 product-filled bins were delivered to InterAct of Wake County, a shelter that helps victims of domestic and sexual violence.

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Leaders of the 2-day ChangeMakers Summit are seated and include the following (from l to r): NABA Executive Team – Evangeline Brodie, Marbella Cuchillas Alvarenga, Emmanuel Faison, Ashley Weekes, Breanna Dorway; and Wells Fargo Professionals Team – Julian Macaulay, Joneka Smith, D’Ontre Gilliard, Ayana Collins, and Alexandria Vanover.

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Pictured left to right: Braven Environmental President & CEO Nicholas Canosa and 探花精选 President Christine Johnson McPhail.

RALEIGH, NC鈥� Braven Environmental (鈥淏raven鈥�), a pioneering technology provider in the advanced plastics recycling sector, signed a memorandum of understanding with Saint Augustine鈥檚 University. The agreement offers the opportunity for both faculty and students to conduct research alongside Braven鈥檚 scientists and allow for student internships at the Braven facility in Zebulon.

Braven鈥檚 proprietary pyrolysis process has undergone more than ten years of testing and development and efficiently breaks down mixed, difficult-to-recycle waste plastics into Braven PyChemTM. Through its support of a circular plastics economy, Braven Environmental is leading the development of an economical approach to solving the global waste plastics crisis.

According to a 2020 study by Pew Research, Breaking the Plastic Wave, the circular economy has the potential to reduce the annual volume of plastics entering our oceans by 80%, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25%, generate savings of $200 billion per year, and create 700,000 additional jobs by 2040.

鈥淲e are pleased to offer these cutting-edge scientific opportunities to our students,鈥� said Dr. Christine Johnson McPhail President of Saint Augustine鈥檚 University. 鈥淲e believe the country needs the type of research that Braven is conducting to remain a leader in the recycling sector and reduce our collective carbon footprint. Saint Augustine鈥檚 University faculty and students are well positioned to support Braven and make a significant impact in the technology recycling sector.鈥�

鈥淭his novel collaboration between Saint Augustine鈥檚 University and Braven Environmental unifies several essential benefits for society, environmental sustainability, environmental responsibility, entrepreneurship, and business management, through education and practice. The concentrations in sustainable biology and sustainable economy for undergraduates and the online certificate create opportunities for anyone to be better equipped to operate in these spaces,鈥� said Dr. Josiah Sampson the University鈥檚 Vice President of Academic Affairs.

According to Dr. Mark Melton Dean of the School of Science, Mathematics and Public Health, 鈥淭he Braven Environmental-Saint Augustine鈥檚 University relationship will provide a platform for student engagement at all levels of company operations, while developing a business model for a sustainable partnership.鈥�

鈥淏raven Environmental is thrilled to collaborate with St. Augustine鈥檚 University,鈥� said Nicholas Canosa, President and CEO of Braven Environmental. 鈥淭his partnership is about engaging future generations in the efforts to address the global waste plastics crisis in the heart of the communities where we operate our facilities. We look forward to welcoming students studying sustainability and the development of circular economies at our Zebulon, North Carolina facility.鈥�

About Saint Augustine鈥檚 University

Founded in 1867 by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, the mission of Saint Augustine鈥檚 University is to sustain a learning community in which students can prepare academically, socially and spiritually for leadership in a complex, diverse and rapidly changing world.

About Braven Environmental

Braven Environmental, LLC (鈥淏raven鈥� or the 鈥淐ompany鈥�) is a leading technology provider in the advanced recycling sector. Deploying patented pyrolysis-based technology, Braven converts mixed waste plastics into Braven PyChemTM, a feedstock/input for the production of new plastics, and as a replacement to traditional oil products. Braven believes it has one of the leading solutions addressing the global and growing issue of post-consumer and post-industrial waste plastics, while reducing the carbon footprint associated with traditional plastic waste management and plastic production. With its first facility already in operation in North Carolina, Braven plans to develop a network of facilities across the U.S. and abroad to offer a true solution to waste plastics while cementing its place in the circular economy related to plastics production. Headquartered in Yonkers, New York, Braven was founded in 2010.

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Dr. Goodwin started her career as an intern at WakeMed back when she was a student at 探花精选. She was encouraged by staff members to take steps towards her career and she was assisted by the Career Services staff at that time. Dr. Goodwin reflects, “My educational experience at Saint Augustine’s University was invaluable. It allowed me to be exposed to internships, community activities, and experiential learning projects. During my matriculation, the student Career Center assisted me in obtaining two life-changing programs. The first was a fellowship in Washington, DC, for a Presidential cabinet member during my junior year. And the second was an internship that led to full-time employment after graduation at the largest health system in the largest county in North Carolina, WakeMed. Words cannot express my love for my alma mater and all that it has given to me. The professors cared about me, I met life-long friends, I found my life’s work and purpose, and I can give back to my community in ways I could have never imagined.”

探花精选 students, you are encouraged to utilize the Career Exploration, Mentoring and Professional Development Services and cultivate professional connections. The resources you can find there will become invaluable in your journey to solidify your career path. Alumni, if you have professional connections, Saint Augustine’s University encourages you to reach back to 探花精选 students and help students cultivate those connections. Dr. Goodwin’s story is one that can be described as “full-circle” from student to intern to full-time employee.

Congratulations on this new journey of your career, Dr. Goodwin!

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Virtual Industry Workshop In Session

The 2020 探花精选 Virtual Career Fair was held on Thursday, October 15, 2020.听 The full day virtual event was hosted by the Career Exploration, Mentoring and Professional Development听Department听under the leadership of Interim Director Dr. Trish Harleston.听听听

The Career Fair 鈥� Virtual Edition connected over 50 students with industry representatives from 20 different organizations for a day of networking, interviews, workshops and group sessions. There听was听a total of 5 group events throughout the day that allowed students the opportunity to meet via virtual platform with Organizational Executives and Recruiters. A total of 70 students created professional profiles via the听Know.Careers听platform used for the event. The platform allowed students to record a Video Profile (elevator speech) that was visible to the participating company professionals along with听their听resume.听听

Students had an opportunity to be randomly selected听to win听three door prizes during the event. Listed below are the winners from the School of Business, Management and Technology and the School of Humanities, Education, Social & Behavioral Sciences:听

$100 winner – Bernard Zandonda, 2023 Computer Information Systems Major

$75 winner – Danielle Scantlebury, 2020 Accounting Major

$50 winner – India Frederick, 2021 Criminal Justice Major

Congratulations to听all听the students who听participated in these opportunities with our听industry partners.听听

鈥�I am blown away by my experience with 探花精选 so far. The 2 pm session you helped get the word out on went beyond my expectations. Your students were prepared, thoughtful, engaged, and there was 3 pages of attendees (and more who weren鈥檛 on video!). This is far beyond some of the experiences we鈥檝e had with other institutions, so thank you.鈥澨� Bill Nave, Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley听

鈥�We had 13 students in our first session, which was the most out of any school so far. We were very impressed that everyone showed up in professional attire, they were engaged and asked great questions.鈥� Erika听Clausson, Sr. Talent Acquisition Consultant, Channel Advisor听

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