By Ambria Gray, Public Relations Intern

The Stillman College Division of Professional Education and Department of Business held the 2011 BEEP Seminar Friday April 1. The Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP) is a voluntary partnership between the National Urban League. Eight “visiting professors” lectured on topics of unemployment, networking, importance of internships, and entrepreneurship. These visiting professors used their knowledge within their industries to give Stillman students advice and insight on each topic.

Kenneth Law, a 2002 Stillman graduate and EEO Manager for the Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, gave a few pointers to students on how to dress for an interview and interning with programs dealing with the federal government. While John Long, Program Director for WUHT, HOT 107.7, offered students the steps to successfully starting a business. Long, an entrepreneur is the owner of two businesses.

Eric B. McCalpine, a 2002 Stillman graduate and Facility Services Sales Captain for the Cintas Corporation, advised students to consider every aspect of a job that they may be seeking. “Be time sensitive when it comes to working,” offered McCalpine. “Some jobs may require you to stay in and work more hours until your task is completely done.”

 Also serving as a visiting professor was Aundrea Self Nichols, a 1996 Stillman graduate. Nichols serves as a reporter and anchor of the five and six o’clock newscasts on WCBI-TV in Columbus, Miss.  She reports stories from area schools in her weekly “Making the Grade” series. Nichols offered advice on subjects such as interview and resume preparation, networking, and internships. She advised students to try and obtain an internship to get a “realistic view” of that field in which they are interested in order to determine and if they could see themselves in that position every day as a career.

Marquelon Sigler is currently employed as the Director of Property Acquisition for Exford, LLC and as a Realtor for Southern Real Estate Group, LLC. Sigler advised students to take advantage of free job fairs and conferences that these organizations have to network and find jobs. Terralance De Shon Thurman, Assistant Vice President and Operating Systems Engineer with Wells Fargo, gave advice on how to break the ice and tension in an interview. He told students to have a couple of seconds worth of information to tell about themselves and some facts about the company to talk about to release the nervousness.

David Wilson, who currently serves as Director of Sales for UPS Mid South District, told students “Be on time!” He expressed the importance of being punctual for an interview and dressing for the job that you aspire to have. Wilson told students to continue to work just as hard from the day they start a job in order to be considered for promotions and more opportunities. While Monique Wilson, a Risk Management Analyst in the Operations Departments for Sterne, Agee, and Leach Inc., told the students to work on having effective communication skills and being accurate when it comes to tasks on the job.   

All of the speakers gave their insight on the various subjects and received certificates of participation. They were also given a tour of the campus and had an opportunity to interact with students during a question and answer session. The speakers shared their learning experiences and achievements with Stillman students that they can take with them to further their college and professional careers.

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