JAGUAR SPOTLIGHT: CAREER SERVICES

Southern University graduate, and now graduate student, Brittany Price is one of many who took the initiative to venture to the Career Services Center to better her chances in the career world. Price received her Bachelor’s in Mass Communications in May 2013, and upon graduating, worked for WBRZ as a Production Editor, and has now landed a job with Kellogg’s. The Digest had an opportunity to conduct a Q&A with Ms. Price.
Q: Describe the road to landing an internship at Kellogg? What does your internship entitle?
A: “Last year, I was given advice to apply to be a participant at the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institute 2015 held in Washington, DC. As any driven student, seeking a career, I knew that applying for a chance to meet with over sixty employers and be amongst other brilliant HBCU attendees would give me an opportunity to network and showcase what I have to offer. I felt this was a golden opportunity and a door I cannot let shut.
A couple of months after I applied, I was selected to go to the web interview round and then on to the in-person interview at Southern University. After months of waiting to hear back from them, I finally did. I was accepted as a participant and representative of Southern University for the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institution 2015. Spending months carefully preparing for the institute, it was finally time to meet with the global employers on my target list, Kellogg being one of them.
This was my first time flying on a plane and I told myself “Brittany, you will not travel this far and attend this conference to not leave with something.” Whether that is a job offer, an internship, or knowledge that I can bring to my next future employer. “I finally had my chance to come face-to-face with Mr. Cary Henderson, the Director of Retail & Agency Sales at Kellogg Company. We briefly spoke and I was given a chance to have an interview with Kellogg. The following evening was the night of the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institute Gala. It was a red carpet affair that I will never forget. After taking pictures on the red carpet with other Southern University institute representatives; it was there the opportunity of a lifetime awaited for me to exit the carpet.
I’d acknowledge them and then I heard the words, “Ms. Price, on behalf of the Kellogg Company, I am delighted to offer you an internship for the summer of 2016 within our Sales organization at Kellogg.” Of course, I accepted and I was beyond excited and proud that I did it.
My Internship begins May 16, 2016- August 5, 2016 and I will be partnering with the Retail Sales Team to gain experience in retail stores by performing sales, merchandising, and customer connection techniques. I will be also assisting the Account, Category Management, and Business Planning Teams with customer business plans and processes in my city of choice, which includes: Denver, CO., Charlotte, NC., Los Angeles, CA., Houston, TX., Chicago, IL, Philadelphia, PA., Battle Creek, MI., Cincinnati, OH., Tampa, FL., Minneapolis, MN., and Rogers, AR.”
Q: How did the Career Service Center prepare you for the transition into the internship?
A: “Prior to the Thurgood Marshall Leadership Institute, I attended the Career Fair held at Southern University. Attending the Career Fair prepared me to have confidence in speaking to employers about what I can offer their company and some insight of how to present myself going forward. What also played a role in the transition into my internship is Mrs. Montgomery. Firstly, she accompanied the selected students who attended the Institute. She also helped me prepare for my interview with Kellogg by going over my résumé, business attire, and potential questions they might ask.”
Q: What advice do you have to offer to the students who have yet to utilize the Career Center?
A: Students who are seeking employment, internships, or just want to gain experience in a certain field, should definitely utilize the Career Service Center. Landing a job right after graduation can be pretty tough and a bit discouraging for some. However, with the tools and opportunities the Career Center offers, each student at Southern University can enter as a student and leave as a professional.
Q:Many students feel that they cannot handle too much in their schedule; how did you manage to stay on top of your course load while being active in multiple organizations?
A: “Time management and dedication are the major keys to multi-tasking. Although I was involved in several different activities and employed, I couldn’t lose sight of what was really important, and that is my education.
Planning your future can be physically exhausting and emotionally draining, but during college it is something to constantly keep in mind. If you feel that you are not prepared for an interview at Family Dollar, or even your favorite retail store, the Career Services Center is here to help. Do not leave Southern University without taking with you everything it has to offer. Dr. Seuss once said, “only you can control of your future.”