Psychology Career Fair

The Psychology department at Southern University and A&M College held its first Career Fair with fellow departments in Augustus C. Blanks Hall, such as Speech Pathology and Audiology. Breakfast was provided and different tables were set up and decorated by recruiters interested in engaging with the students. This opportunity for students to network and find jobs or internships was created to pursue their perspective fields. Dr. Reginald Rackley expressed, “This is a very exciting experience, especially for the students who can network and engage with these different recruiters to get potential jobs and internships. Something to help our students in the department and I hope we can continue to do this.”
In the past, there have been career fairs that typically weren’t very beneficial towards the departments in Augustus C. Blanks Hall and catered towards various other majors. Students were frustrated feeling left out or believed they did not have the equal opportunity others had to network.
Representatives from various schools such as Louisiana State University, Florida A&M University, and even Southern University’s Law Department showed up to recruit students interested in pursuing their dreams. Whether looking for more clinical positions or through the more educational route, all opportunities were presented to the students.
Representatives at schools from not only the Baton Rouge area but from all over Louisiana participated to share their mission statements and how attending their school can potentially benefit students. These schools specialized in working with children with autism/mental health disabilities, counseling, social work, etc. There were also nonprofit organizations who did the same looking to recruit students for volunteer work and internships.
The career fair was also very beneficial for students who necessarily don’t know what career path they want to pursue. There were a few students at the Career Fair who went to see all the potential career paths they can go into.
Members from Psi Chi Southern Universities Chapter of The International Honor Society in Psychology made an appearance as well sharing their excitement for the event and doing some networking too. Lala Hazel, Senior Psychology major stated, “It is very great this year we are having the career fair in the Psych Department because in the past we had issues attending the career fairs as there aren’t opportunities for our majors there.”
This event was very special to them and Professors within the department like Dr. Rackley, Dr. Durriseau, and Dr. Tolbert. These are professors who are very passionate about what they do and want the best for their students. Having an event like the Career Fair to help their students succeed in their prospective career paths does just that.
Students and faculty would say this event was a success. Students gained knowledge on potential career paths and some students even left with job offers. The success of this event shows this is something the department needs for its students and that it is beneficial. In the future, the department plans to make the career fair an annual event as it seeks to meet the needs of its students.