Bulldog Delegation Lands More Than 20 Job Offers

                                                                                                                                                 By Adyson Saunders

Twenty-five Alabama A&M University students took their talents to the nation’s capital and returned with more than connections.

The AAMU delegation collectively completed nearly 60 interviews and received more than 20 internship and career offers during the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute, held Sept. 9-12 in Washington. Twenty-one of the 25 students selected to attend are AAMU Honors Scholars.

The annual four-day institute brings together students from TMCF member institutions for leadership development, professional networking and recruiting opportunities with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Students participated in sessions led by executives and met directly with employers seeking candidates for internships and full-time positions.

AAMU students have been regular participants in the Leadership Institute for decades. Carla Draper Holloway, AAMU’s TMCF campus coordinator, said the University has sent large delegations — often more than 20 students — each year since she assumed the role in 2006. AAMU students also participated in the program before that time.

Students earn their spots through a competitive selection process. Eligible juniors and seniors with at least a 3.0 GPA apply through TMCF, complete an online interview and participate in an in-person interview before TMCF selects its participants.

This year’s AAMU delegation included Kortney Adkins, Munachimso Arubaleze, Danylah Branch, Jordan Caldwell, Kaitlyn Caudle, Gabriel Chambers, Tylynn Fleming, Sarah Franklin, Bryson Hannah, Cameron Jones, Miles Jones, Anthony Killen, Daniel Lambo, Jordan Lee, Nyla Malik, LaDarrien McCall, Solomon McCovery, Bukata Mubanga, Ruvarashe Nyabando, Autumn Peoples, Schylar Robertson, Jude Robinson, Isaiah Taylor, Shanel White and Eric Wilson.

Among the delegation’s successes, Jones and McCall were surprised with scholarships sponsored by Cargill. Taylor, a senior and TMCF Yard Ambassador, took on a prominent role at the institute by serving as master of ceremonies for the opening session. He also connected with representatives from companies including Shell, Truist, PepsiCo and Fidelity.

For Taylor, who has attended the institute before, the experience reinforced the value of making meaningful professional connections. His advice to other students is to take networking seriously and approach each introduction with intention because a handshake or LinkedIn connection could lead to an unexpected opportunity.

Peoples, a junior finance major and two-time TMCF Leadership Institute Scholar, experienced that potential firsthand. She completed four interviews during the conference and received a job offer while in Washington.

The institute also demonstrated the long-term impact the experience can have on AAMU students. Holloway said one of this year’s highlights was watching former participants return to the event as recruiters for the companies where they have built their careers.

AAMU alumnus Jarrett Davis, an Honors Class of 2025 graduate, returned to conduct interviews on behalf of Caterpillar, while Tia Patterson, an Honors Class of 2013 graduate, recruited for John Deere. Their return brought the experience full circle: Former AAMU students who once attended the institute seeking opportunities were now helping create them for another generation of students.

That progression — from student participant to young professional — reflects what the Leadership Institute is designed to accomplish. The national program develops leadership skills while connecting students with companies and government agencies offering internships and full-time career opportunities.

For Peoples, one lesson from Washington captured what it takes to make the most of those opportunities: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Growth often begins by walking into unfamiliar rooms, introducing yourself, asking questions and taking a chance.”

Adyson Saunders is a member of Crew 75, Alabama A&M University’s student creative content team.