Empowerment Exchange provides opportunities

 
Volunteer opportunities, careers, and information for Southern University and Grambling State University students were abundant at the “My Bayou Classic: Empowerment Exchange.”
Companies and Organizations including; Fresh campus, SAIC, Virtuous Communications, United Healthcare, CLECO Corporation, Entergy, Cox Communications, Hancock and Whitney Banks, CenturyLink, and Jacobs.
Attendees could get information and gifts from representatives while networking for internships, jobs, and careers.
“It would really benefit students to take advantage of an opportunity like this. Specifically opportunities aimed at minorities. You are not only competing against other students but, against others in your industry,” Renee Rachal, Training Coordinator in Human Resources, CLECO Corporation said.
CLECO offers summer internships in engineering.
Fresh Campus covering 10 campuses in Louisiana grants funds for University campuses to become 100 percent tobacco free.
“This is a student led movement. Students should take the charge and make the moves,” Monique Elwood Brown, Program Coordinator of Young Adult Initiatives, Fresh Campus said.
Brown answered questions about the recent approval of Southern University’s system becoming 100 percent tobacco free and what Fresh campus hopes to promote.
“For those that do smoke, hopefully we can encourage them to quit smoking. For those who do not smoke, they will be allowed to breathe cleaner air. It promotes an overall healthier environment. Each campus is responsible for cessation counseling or cessation resources. We provide resources but, not funding for cessation,” Brown said.
United Healthcare just launched community outreach and are looking for volunteers.
“United Healthcare just launched our community outreach to connect and provide health resources in the community. There are opportunities for students to gain volunteer hours,” Deborah Jones, Community Outreach Specialist, United Healthcare said.
Cox Communications Louisiana positions available is sent directly to SU Career Services. Yolanda Poullard is the recruiter for Baton Rouge.
​”Most of the most frequently posted positions are full-time positions. Call centers, we look for individuals who work well with customers, communication skills, and computer skills. We also frequently post for account services, tech support, in-bound sales, and solution specialists,” Melissa Souther, Recruiter, Cox Communications Louisiana.
Hancock and Whitney Banks have part-time teller positions available, for exact openings visit their website.
“Teller positions are a great opportunity for accounting majors who want to get their foot in the door at a bank. We look for customer service experience and office experience,” Casey Hill, Corporate Recruiter, Hancock/Whitney Banks.
CenturyLink provides broadband, voice and wireless services to consumers is looking for interns for their company.
“We are the 3^rd largest telecommunications company in the United States. There is a world of opportunity. We want more interns,” Camille Nugent, Senior Corporate Recruiter, CenturyLink said.
SAIC works with government contracting in national security, critical infrastructure, and the environment. Their newest initiative is smart power and they look for students majoring in engineering, accounting, finance, recent law graduates to apply on their website.
Virtuous Communications works to help young women continue their Christian lifestyle in college, offering internships to promote their message.​