The McGaughy Internship & Professional Development Center recently hosted the Career Café in Longwood University’s Blackwell Ballroom, facilitating dynamic interactions between students and business professionals. The Career Café featured a unique format where students assumed the role of interviewers. During the 10-minute rotational sessions, business professionals kicked off with one to two-minute elevator pitches, introducing themselves, their organizations, roles, job duties, and responsibilities. Then, students seamlessly transitioned into the role of interviewers, posing questions to the professionals regarding their education, background, experiences, industry insights, and valuable advice for future professionals. The event proved to be a resounding success, attracting 22 industry professionals, many of whom are alumni of the College of Business and Economics, generously sharing their expertise and insights with eager students.
This format enabled direct engagement with professionals, offering firsthand knowledge and insights beyond the scope of traditional career events. Students received beneficial career advice, forged connections for future internship and full-time positions, and had the opportunity to explore diverse career paths while networking. The involvement of industry professionals not only inspired students but also significantly broadened their understanding of potential career paths within the business world. With an impressive turnout of over 80 enthusiastic attendees, the event provided an invaluable platform for networking and exploring various professional pathways. The energetic participation from both students and professionals emphasized the event's significance in fostering meaningful connections and empowering students to navigate their future careers with confidence.
The McGaughy Center offers CBE students the chance to network with Virginia business leaders through events like Career Café, an Accounting Fair, CBE Talks, and employer Meet & Greets. Other opportunities include golf etiquette clinics, field trips to companies like Riverside Logistics, The Port of Virginia, and Amazon, as well as professional development resources like Career Closet, Bow Ties & Bites, and a Free LinkedIn Photo Booth. The McGaughy Center also organizes other events like Mock Interviews and an Executive Presence Dinner each semester for MANG 391 Professional Skills Development students, helping them develop essential professional skills. Students design resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles, which equip them with the necessary tools to successfully search for and obtain their internship and full-time positions. Additionally, the center offers guidance throughout the internship process, managing relationships between CBE students, internship employers, and supervising faculty.
More information about the McGaughy Internship & Professional Development Center can be found here: https://www.longwood.edu/business/internships/. To attend an upcoming Career Café or to inquire about participating as an industry professional, please contact the McGaughy Center at internshipscbe@longwood.edu.
