The McGaughy Internship & Professional Development 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 organizes 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.
CBE Talks occur three times per semester, featuring industry experts invited by the McGaughy Center to impart invaluable insight and experience to students. It's an exceptional opportunity to gain wisdom and motivation from authentic business leaders. Tage Counts, Vice President of Strategic Engagement for the CIVIC Leadership Institute in Norfolk, Virginia, served as the guest speaker for February’s CBE Talks. Since his return to the Hampton Roads community in 1995, Counts has dedicated the majority of his professional career to roles in marketing, sales, membership, and business development. His passion for fostering business growth and building lasting relationships has earned him recognition as Salesperson of the Year, Employee of the Year, Top Forty Under 40 alum, and bronze recipient of CoVaBiz’s Best Local Leader Making A Difference.
Counts emphasized the importance of networking and community involvement. He highlighted making connections through seeking business advice and volunteering within the community and organization to expand one's network. Stressing the value of owning up to mistakes promptly, he urged students to avoid burning bridges and embody the leadership qualities they desire in their workplace. Overall, he encouraged embracing both the good and bad experiences as they shape one’s journey and career trajectory.
Brianna Wallace, a business administration major with a concentration in management, supply chain management endorsement, and McGaughy Center Management/Marketing Assistant, shared how this event resonated with her, “The CBE Talks have always held personal significance for me, as I've been the emcee for the past three semesters. However, Tage's talk marked the end of an era for me, as it was the very last one I would be hosting before graduating in May, making it bittersweet. His presence reinforced the importance of mentorship and the value of connections for both personal and professional growth. Amidst the invaluable advice shared during the event, one particular statement resonated deeply with me: ‘Be the leader you want people to be.’ This quote encapsulates the core of effective leadership, and it's a principle I'm determined to integrate into my own career journey.”
The McGaughy Center is hosting two more CBE Talks this semester:
- Tuesday, March 19: Chris Isaacs, Plus3 IT Systems
- Tuesday, April 9: Tom DeWitt, SNVC
More information about the McGaughy Internship & Professional Development Center can be found here: https://www.longwood.edu/business/internships/. To attend upcoming CBE Talks or to inquire about becoming a guest speaker, please contact the McGaughy Center at internshipscbe@longwood.edu.
