The HBCU Career Center celebrates 15 years!

Checking in for 2022!

So much has happened as we have continued to grow The HBCU Career Center. Hard to believe we just celebrated 15 years!

I invite you to find me for career updates and insights on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn with

I am really excited about the possibilities that these newer platforms offer to connect us with more people and stay interactive!

Best wishes!
Dr. Marcia F. Robinson, MBA SPHR
Founder, ©BullsEyeResumes and ©BullsEye Careers

10 Reasons Some College Graduates Can't Find Jobs

We are fast approaching graduation season.

Although the economy is bouncing back a bit, it will still be challenging to find a job.  New graduates from vocational or career training programs need to remember that job search success requires constant effort.  Use this list as a checklist to ensure you are doing everything you can with every job opportunity that comes your way.  This list of the 10 reasons some vocational and career training graduates can't find jobs can keep yourself on track.  In most cases, you can do something about a job search if things are not working out.

• Using bad resumes and cover letters.  Find sample resumes at TheHBCUCareerCenter 
• Not using their college resources.  Check out the alumni network and VISIT the career center.
• Overlooking internships after graduation. Internships are still possible after college.
• Engaging in negative social networking. Clean up your online persona.
• Resumes show a lack of leadership experience from college.  Not all experience has to be paid.
• Not understanding what employers want. Do your research.
• Poor networking skills.  Networking doesn't just mean asking for help.  It means helping as well.
• No job interview preparation.  Find a way to do a mock interview.
• Little or no follow-up.  Every lead is important.
• Too much career ambiguity.  If employers think you don't know what you want, they might not hire you.

CampusPhilly Virtual Internship Fair

If you live in Pennsylvania, find career resources on our Pennsylvania at Work Blog as well.

So Your Summer Internship Has Not Turned Into an Job Offer

You are working hard in your internship, it is approaching the end of summer and you still have not heard from the company about a full time career offer for after graduation. Do you have any idea why?

I met up with a colleague in HR this afternoon and we chatted about her company's internship program this past summer. Of course we discussed who made the cut and who didn't. It turns out that particular intern stood out and not for the right reasons.

This intern stood out for wearing, not one but two 3/8 inch "diamond" studs to work every day. Additionally this intern was known around the building to be constantly on his cell phone, as he walked the corridors. The last straw was the fact that this intern would fall asleep constantly in meetings.

I pondered our conversation on my way home and wondered why so many college students still don't fully understand that internships are an invaluable opportunity to impress employers.

Of course it has been said before, but the following may be worth reading again:
The 10 Secrets of Interns Who Get Full Time Jobs
In Search of the Perfect Internship
Cell Phone Etiquette for College Students

Job Interviews Show Lack of Preparation

I was on a team of interviewers recruiting a new director to execute a rather extensive job description.

The process to select the job interview candidates was pretty straight forward. The search team scored resumes of job applicants and selected the candidates with the highest scores for job interviews.

One observation from this round of job interviews is that too many job seekers, regardless of the level of the position, are just not well prepared to sell transferable skills.

After watching more than a few candidates squirm under the pressure, I thought I could offer these five tips to help job seekers prepare to sell transferable skills in the job interview.

1. Read the job descriptions carefully. Read it several times to become familiar with the skills that the company wants.
2. Know what knowledge, skills and abilities you have to offer to the employer for the specific job in question.
3. Acknowledge the gaps between what the employer wants and what you have to offer. Job seekers, who acknowledge the gaps ahead of time, have an opportunity to correct them. These gaps should not surprise you in the interview.
4. Identify career and experience stories from your background that will allow you to demonstrate how your transferable skills will compensate for direct knowledge.
5. Learn how to tell interesting stories in the interview that will make the interviewers want to engage in conversation with you.

Stop Muddling Through Your Job Search - Get Focused!

I overheard a conversation on the train recently. One jobseeker was explaining to another rider how hard it has been to find a new job. From what I could tell, both were employed, but one was clearly more frustrated with her job than the other. It sounded like the more frustrated of the two was actually looking very hard for a new job. She recounted her experience at a recent job fair where she handed out many resumes to several companies.

When she was asked what kind of job she was looking for, she said, "Anything really."

I am not sure she realized just how much of a negative effect that lack of clarity and focus would have on her job search.

An effective job search strategy must begin with an acknowledgement of what is possible for one's ideal job. I am not talking here about "dream jobs". I am at least talking about knowing the basics like:

- Industry preference - retail? healthcare? education? banking?
- Type of work - administrative? call center? customer service? sales?
- Job skills you want to use - supervisory? training? writing?

I know that job seekers sometimes get desperate in the job search and think that they should expand their options. Many feel that if they limit their needs they are limiting the options. On the contrary, if you have no sense of what you want, you will show no passion in the search and employers will see that.

Muddling through the job search by applying for any and everything rather than focusing on your preferences, can make your search way more frustrating than it has to be.

Think about how much more impressive the job seeker could have been had she said, "I am looking for something in retail, where I can use my customer service skills. I really like training people so something where I get to do that would be important to me also."

The person hearing that information is much more likely to remember you when they come across a potential opportunity for you. Saying you will take "Anything", doesn't demonstrate lot of confidence and makes you forgettable.

Know what you want and stay focused by working towards the outcomes you want.

Can a Minor Help Your Major in College?

Some colleges and universities offer and promote minors to college students as a way to round out their college education and gain more marketable job skills. College students on campuses without minors might pick up double majors or in rare cases, a triple major.

College minors offer a secondary area of study and could be a real asset to a college graduate if the minor enhances or broadens their knowledge in a complementary field. In an article for the NY Times, Joe Cuseo, author of “Thriving in College and Beyond: Research-Based Strategies for Academic Success and Personal Development," says “a minor is a hidden weapon. It can be a good marketing tool, or it can be a way to explore a second interest and still graduate in a reasonable time.”

Some of the other advantages of a picking a minor in college include:
- extra preparation at no additional cost
- less work than a double major

After working in four different colleges helping graduates and employers discover each other, so to speak, I am convinced that the job skills that employers want can be developed without a minor or a double major.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers survey employers every year to see what they look for in a new college grad.

Here is what the employers said in 2007.

(5-point-scale where 1=not important; 2=not very
important; 3=somewhat important; 4=very important;
and 5=extremely important)

Communication skills 4.6
Strong work ethic 4.6
Teamwork skills 4.5
Initiative 4.4
Interpersonal skills 4.4
Problem-solving skills 4.4
Analytical skills 4.3
Flexibility/adaptability 4.2
Computer skills 4.1
Technical skills 4.1
Detail-oriented 4.0
Organizational skills 4.0

How do college students really build these skills and competencies employers want on campus? By being an active college student who not only studies, but gets involved.

So, as you think about your college experience and whether or not to add a minor, think about how you can develop these job skills from:
- leadership roles in campus clubs and organizations
- volunteer work or community service
- college internship programs

MyInternshipGopher.com

Myinternshipgopher.com is a new mentoring resource for students in the Philadelphia region. The site is a result of a collaboration between the Chester County Economic Development Council, ITAG (Innovation Technology Action Group), Chester County Workforce Investment Board and Chester County Health Care Partnership.

The goal of MyInternshipGopher.com is to provide a resource to help young adults prepare for internships and transition into a 21st century workforce and meet the needs of the regional economy.

The schools selected to participate in the project beta are Downingtown, Great Valley, Owen J. Roberts, Phoenixville, West Chester, and West Chester University.

The anticipated timeline for the rollout of the entire enterprise is:

July 23, 2008
Businesses Create New Accounts
Post & View college internships and high school internships


September 2008
Beta Schools Only
Student Internship Matching
Student Job Shadow Matching
Search and Select Internships
Teacher Exchange Opportunities
Host a School -- Visit a School
Online 3-Way Mentoring System
Online Resources


January 2009
Open to All Registered Schools
View Student Profiles
Add a School Administrator
Intern & Internship Assessment
Members Post Needs

If you live in Pennsylvania, find career resources on our Pennsylvania at Work Blog as well.

Top 10 Secrets of Interns Who Get Full Time Jobs

Did you know that most companies with an internship programs really wants to convert the college students in the internship program into full time permanent career hires? Well they do.

Organizations like INROADS prepare college students to participate in prestigeous internship programs with that goal in mind.

As you complete your paid internship or unpaid internship this summer, think about these "must haves" from INROADS to help you convert your summer internship to a full time job offer.

-Good college resume(College Sample Resumes)
-Excellent communication skills
-Team skills
-Strategic outlook
-Training as it relates to performance
-Problem solving and critical thinking skills
-Community service experience
-Self confidence
-Corporate etiquette is crucial
-Networking makes you more attractive

Read the full article at IMDiversity here: Top 10 Secrets of Interns Who Get Full Time Jobs.

A Real Washington Internship Story

Do you know who Huma Abedin is? You do or you might. You just don't know you do.

Huma Abedin is Hillary Clinton's body person. You probably saw her during the presidential primaries always next to Senator Clinton. Essentially, as Senator Clinton's body person, Huma Abedin manages the Senator's event schedule and meets her every need at public events. New York Magazine says, "Huma Abedin, Hillary’s beautiful, enigmatic “body person,” spends nearly every waking minute with Hillary and so has the best sense of her daily rhythms and routines."

Abedin is known for her extraordinary ability to multitask and juggle several assignments without breaking a sweat.

Huma Abedin was born in Michigan, to an Indian father and Pakastani mother. She was raised in Saudia Arabia and attended George Washington University. Abedin applied to the Whitehouse Internship Program and became an intern in 1996. She impressed Senator Clinton once she landed an internship role in the First Lady's office. Her internship role has evolved into that of the personal "body person", available to meet the candidate's every need from water bottles to keeping the press at bay.

Want to apply for internship programs in Washington DC? Consider the following:

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Internship
This Internship program is open to college juniors and college seniors as well as new college graduates within 24 months after graduation. College interns must be interested in careers in performing arts, management and/or arts education. College interns will work 37.5 to 40 hours weekly for a twelve to fourteen week rotation. About 20 students are selected each semester for this prestigious internship program.

Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Psychology majors in approved APA and counseling psychology programs are eligible to apply for the internship program at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington DC. The deadline to apply for this internship program is November 1. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, submit an application, 3 letters of recommendation and a formal statement from the program director supporting eligibility for the internship program.

Every year thousands of college interns spend time in Washington DC working and learning in a variety of internship programs. Not only do these paid internships and unpaid internships offer valuable work experience, the college interns get to build a network of contacts and mentors.

Abedin is one such college internship success story.

America's Coolest Internships

Scottrade was mentioned in the February, 2008, Inc. Magazine's list of America's Coolest Internship programs. Here are 7 tips from recruiter Amy Meister on the Scottrade website for college students who want to get into good internship programs:

- Use all of your available resources to find great internship programs.

- Take advantage of the career counselors and advisors and upperclassmen at your college or university.

- Practice professional job seeking skills to get into internship programs.

- Take your search for internship programs seriously as if you were looking for a full-time job.

- Show an interest in the company.

- Personalize your cover letter, do some research about the company and point out any prior experiences that would make you an asset for internship programs in a a particular company.

- First impressions are important.

- The interview is your place to shine. Project a professional image with your clothing, manners and enthusiasm.

- Make your experience relate.

- In your resume, include part-time jobs, volunteer work, fundraising and charitable activities, athletics and even school-related projects that may align with the internship you are seeking.

- Think outside the semester.

- Let the internship recruiter know that your goal is to work with that company beyond the internship program.

- Follow-up after the interview.

- Send a thank-you letter by mail or e-mail.

In Search of the Perfect Internship

In March of this year, Scottrade sent out a press release in which recruiter and internship coordinator, Amy Meister, listed seven things college students can do to optimize their internship or entry-level employment searches.

1. Use all of your resources to find a great internship. You don't have to look too far to find a great resource. Take advantage ofthe career counselors and advisors at your college or university and look toyour network of friends. Upperclassmen may be able to recommend internships they have held or heard about.

2. Practice professional job seeking skills. Take your internship search seriously as if you were looking for a full-time job. Formalize your correspondence and avoid using text messaging grammar or spelling. Make sure your e-mail screen name is appropriate. Set up a more professional user name, such as using your first initial and last name, or use a university or college e-mail address. Check your voice mail message and ask yourself if that message would resonate well with a potential employer.

3. Show an interest in the company. Your initial query or cover letter should be personalized and reference the company and position you are applying for. Do some research about the company and point out any prior experiences that relates to the company. Once you have booked an interview, take the time to research the company further and know what you seek to gain from the position and what you can contribute. When you sit down for the interview, ask informed questions. Read more...

Posted by Candice Arnold on May 6, 2008 3:27 PM at CollegeRecruiter.com.

Succeeding in the Assessment Center Interview

The Assessment Center interview does not refer to a specific location, but instead to a process of candidate selection. Hr-Guide.com defines an Assessment Center Interview as a variety of testing techniques designed to allow candidates to demonstrate, under standardized conditions, the skills and abilities that are most essential for success in a given job using the following methods:

1. Case Studies -- If a candidate is applying for the job of Marketing Manager, one evaluation component of the Assessment Center could be the creation of a marketing plan for a new product. The solution could require that components include budgeting, promotion, scheduling etc. This type of assessment allows a potential employer to see how candidates analyze data and issues, identify solutions, create project plans and present findings.

2. In-Tray Exercises -- This exercise might have candidates actually role-play in a particular scenario to see how they prioritize tasks, handle interruptions and think on their feet when a crisis situation arises. Recruiters might also be gauging how job seekers manage operational conflicts.

3. Group Exercises -- These Assessment Center exercises give candidates an opportunity to work with a group to complete specified assignments. Job seekers get to demonstrate team work skills and interpersonal interactions in a group environment.

4. Role Plays --These exercises allow candidates to demonstrate communication skills and customer service skills. Scenarios could even be developed to gauge a candidate's listening skills or empathy and the ability to influence others.

5. Job Skills Demonstration -- Job seekers get the chance to actually perform as they would on the job. As an illustration, if you are being hired in a hourly/skilled profession as a seamstress, you may have to sew something. If applying for a position as an electrician, you may have to use a schematic diagram to complete a wiring assignment. Being considered for a Payroll Clerk? You could be asked to reconcile deposit slips or do general ledger entries.

Tips to succeed with the Assessment Center Interview:

1. All the same general rules for interview preparation apply. These include wearing appropriate attire and showing up on time, well rested and prepared to do well.
2. Take the sessions seriously. Your behavior is being monitored so try to behave as you would on the job.
3. Become very familiar with the job description and the expected success behaviors BEFORE the interview.
4. Don't try and "figure out" what they are trying to measure while you are in the interview. Focus on the tasks at hand.
5. If you are given pre-interview materials ahead of time - Read them!
6. Brush up on your industry technical skills before the interview.
7. Read instructions carefully.
8. Do an audit of your materials to make sure you have all you need to proceed successfully.

Earn More Than a Paycheck This Summer

Build your high school resume or college resume and earn more than a paycheck this summer.

Did you know that you can learn work skills and life skills through summer jobs like this one at the Oregon Gardens?

For almost 10 weeks in Summer 2007, 12 low income teenagers learned leadership skills, workplace responsibility and how to work with others by working with Oregon Gardens.

The program is sponsored through an Oregon Youth Conservation Corps and Workforce Investment Act grants.

The Oregon Garden's horticulture manager Jill Martini said that for most teens this was their first job. The program is now five years old and pays the teens through $22,000 in grants.

Do some research in your own community to find organizations that offer programs like this which will give teen workers more than just a paycheck.

Taking the Internship Up a Notch

Check out this great slide show at BusinessWeek showcasing new professionals who completed internships with top companies. Today's employers are successfully using internship programs to find good candidates for long term career and leadership development programs.

This slide show features former college interns from top programs and highlight their "Extra Effort" assignments as well as their advice for others wanting to have similar success on their own internship program.

Some quick "Be's" for internship success:

1. Be willing to go above and beyond
2. Be ready to learn from those with experience
3. Be aware of your surroundings
4. Be open to learning new things
5. Be a team player
6. Be quick to volunteer
7. Be unwavering about doing good work
8. Be sure to make connections and network
9. Be gracious about doing less than glamorous work
10. Be a good representative for your college. The future relationship between this employer and your university will depend a lot on your behavior during the summer internship.

Read more about "Internship Behavior You Might Live to Regret".

Connect with Your College Career Center

If you are heading back to college soon, it is a good time to start preparing for interviews on your college campus this spring. Chances are your college career center has already scheduled several big events for you to meet employers. Use these opportunities to learn more about companies, careers and internship programs they offer.

The recent Job Outlook 2008 survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers shows that employers are expecting to increase college hiring by 16 %. Employers are projecting that the 2007-08 recruiting season will be highly competitive for this year’s crop of new graduates. This is the fifth consecutive year in which employers have projected double-digit increases which is exciting news for the class of 2008.

As you prepare return to school, go online and take a look at your college career center calendar for some of the following types of events already scheduled:

- On campus job fairs, career fairs and internship fairs - These events allow organizations to come to campus for a big recruiting event. Usually held in a central campus location and open to students of all years, alumni and sometimes even community members.

- Employer Information Tables - Organizations, usually one at a time, visit your campus to meet students and sometimes alumni. The typically are sharing general company information, but might also be doing positive recruiting for internships, part time jobs and entry level careers open at that time.

- Campus interviews - College students have an amazing opportunity to meet recruiters and HR Managers right there on campus, conveniently between classes.

- Employer panel discussions - Usually comprised of 3 to 5 different company representatives speaking to a specific career development issue.

Here are some ways you can use the rest of your time at home to prepare:

1. Get important dates on your calendar. Whether you use your phone, a paper calendar or an online calendar - get important dates on your calendar immediately. Before you know it the semester has started and your schedule is out of hand.

2. Register online with the career center. Registration gives college students access to the latest information about employer campus visits and layout the process for participating in interviews. Whether you college career center uses MonsterTrak, eRecruiting, NaceLink, Simplicity or a custom program designed for them, this is probably the best way for them to communicate with you.

3. If you don't already have a suit or other professional attire, get one. (Read - Avoid Wardrobe Malfunctions When Dressing For The Interview) It is important that you put your best foot forward during on campus interviews and a good suit that fits you well, is one sure way to do that.

4. Take a look at who is coming to campus to conduct interviews and pay attention to job application deadlines or GPA requirements.

5. Get your resume, cover letter and thank you letter ready. Your campus career center offers free resources to help you with all of these. In many cases you can download resume samples from your career center website. Once you have completed your resume, drop in to your career center for a free critique or even get your resume critiqued via email.

College students should know they have real advocates working on their behalf in their college career centers. Their goal is to help students with their career development process and to make facilitate meetings between students and employers. Make a visit to your college career center as soon as you return to school.

Build Your College Resume During Spring Break

College students are planning all kinds of travel semester breaks.

Not only will Spring Break 2009 give college students needed rejuvenation, it provides an opportunity to add volunteer service and community service experience to your college resume.

These organizations help college students schedule meaningful Spring Break 2009 activities and internship programs:
Break Away
Spring Break Alternatives
Student Conservation Association
Hillel - The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Habitat for Humanity

Ask the college career center about spring break programs and opportunities to build job skills through volunteering for your resume.

Day 27 - Identify Gaps in Skills and Competencies

Once you have identified 2-3 career options and the requisite skills for success in each, create a spreadsheet with 2-3 sheets, one for each option.

On each sheet create a simple spreadsheet with 4 columns:
1. Skills/Competencies required (here you list the skills required)
2. Rating (here you will rate yourself 1-10 on each skill or competence)
3. Example (speak to best example of your ability in any area you ranked 6 or above)
4. Gaps (what is required to build the skill or gain the competency)

Contact BullseyeResumes.com for a sample worksheet with additional instructions.

Internship programs from the Employer's Perspective

Much is written to help college students and new college graduates succeed in internship programs and cooperative education programs.

Explore employers' perspective in these exerpts from the new manual - Total Internship Management Guide; The Employer's Guide to the Ultimate Internship from Intern Bridge.

These exerpts will give you insight into what the employers are doing on their end to make sure there is a return on investment for their internship programs.

Day 12 - Enhance Technical Skills at Work

National Career Development Month!

Take a look at the training schedule at your company. Is there a technical skill you need to learn or enhance that will help with career growth?

You may be able to receive training at no cost to you in new technologies that could enhance your job such as:

-Blogging
-Pod Casting
-Web design and development
-Customer Relationship Management software
-Advanced PowerPoint Presentations or advanced work in any office technology programs
-Look for any industry specific technology also such as SCT Banner in Education or Blackbaud Fund Raising software for non-profit management or SAP for Purchasing.

Think about a new program YOU might be able to offer as well.