The C.C. Cunningham Career Center is set up to help students find internships and full-time job opportunities; however, students often are left begging for employment opportunities. Delores A. Dean, director of the Florida A&M Career Center Division of Student Affairs, said registration for career counseling and employment information takes approximately five minutes, but the benefits could last a lifetime.
“Over 60 companies have come to campus, but students didn’t show up,” Dean said. “Students that are actually involved with the Career Center and serious about pursuing a career will have a job.”
Students are required to take courses in that area for employers to be able to hire them Dean explained. Individual and group counseling sessions are some of the many ways the center helps students determine their career path. Theses tutorials help students explore career interests, and help to develop employability skills.
“I have been involved for two years with the center and was able to get an internship,” said Dallas Brown, an engineering student. “FAMU should make all students sign up when they first attend their school freshman year.”
Through the campus recruitment program, students can seek placement in full-time and part-time employment positions, internships, and co-operative positions. Placement for students is offered every semester. Fall placement is from September to November. Spring placement starts after the career expo in January and ends in March or later, pending recruiter activity.
The Career Center also host career expositions at the Leon County Civic Center during the fall and spring semesters. The fall and spring career expo hosts more than 150 employers. These employers are recruiting for full-time employment, internships, and co-operatives from all majors and classifications.
“Students think these career fairs are just for business students,” said Dean. “All students are given the same opportunities.”
Students feel the economy makes it pointless for them to try seeking employment. Dean said companies, such as J.P. Morgan, Ernst & Young, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Edward Jones, are always looking to hire students.
“If you sit back and blame the economy for the lack of employment, you will never have a job,” Dean said.
The Career Center and representatives from various corporations offer information seminars and workshops to train students for interviews. Dean said students should take advantage of resume writing, professional etiquette, interviewing skills, and mock interview training. Julnelle Hamilton, a 2003 graduate of the FAMU business program and current university recruiting relations team member for Lockheed Martin, said students should take advantage of the services offered by the center.
“It can be helpful to just attend information seminars and events that companies may have,” Hamilton said. “The Career Center is helpful and it can be a helpful tool for all majors.”
The C.C. Cunningham Career Center is located at 100 Student Union Plaza near the Set.