College students, faculty and staff from eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) embarked on a Career Exploration Trip to St. Louis on September 13 to 15. InSight St. Louis sponsored the annual all expenses paid trip, which included airfare, meals and accommodations at the Ritz Carlton.
Since 2006, “Over 200 students, faculty and staff have experienced the St. Louis region in terms of a career and lifestyle destination,” said Jo-Ann Digman, Executive Director of InSight St. Louis. “Several of the students are born and raised in St. Louis and are attending HBCUs, we invite them back so they can see St. Louis as a place for professionals to develop.”
On September 13, Insight St. Louis kicked off a series of events with the CEO Welcome Dinner at the St. Louis Club in Clayton. Students were greeted by CEOs and young professionals from InSight St. Louis’ member companies, comprised of a consortium of 20 St. Louis-based Fortune 500 corporations and mid-cap companies. Those in attendance included Insight St. Louis Board of Director Members: Arnold Donald, president and CEO of the Executive Leadership Council; Donald M. Suggs, publisher and executive editor of the St. Louis American; and Steven H. Lipstein, BJC HealthCare president and CEO.
RubinBrown, BJC HealthCare and World Wide Technology, Inc. are among member companies that collectively recruit the “best and brightest” students from HBCUs.
“It’s rare indeed for corporations to collaborate on a program in which some of them may not see a return in a given year,” said Charles T. Moses, interim dean of Clark Atlanta University School of Business. “The participants, drawn from among the best and brightest at our HBCU’s, came away impressed by the city and by the genuineness of all those they met.”
Moses said that InSight St. Louis is unique and wonders why more cities don’t have similar programs.
“We want the faculty and staff to get a sense for the diversity of our companies,” Digman said. “They’re really the gatekeepers for the students. It gives them an opportunity to coach them along as they’re making their career choices.”
Other Career Exploration Trip events consisted of corporate site visits, one-on-one interviews with prospective employers for full time or internship positions and the Regional Business Council’s Business Roundtable and Career Fair. Students were encouraged to mix and mingle with local young professionals and enjoyed a trolley tour of the region’s best cultural attractions.
“Insight St. Louis gave me an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Kwamae Simpkins of Florida A&M University. Simpkins is a MBA candidate with a concentration in finance at Florida A&M’s School of Business. “I feel honored to be one of the 33 chosen participants. During the career exploration, I was able to interact with several key stakeholders of prestigious companies, which rarely happens for students.”
Simpkins was a stranger to St. Louis and the Midwest. Yet, she was impressed by the vast array of career opportunities in the area.
“The city is rich in history, culture and people, and is the ideal place for me to begin my career,” she said.
Before students, faculty and staff departed for their various destinations, they convened on September 15 for the InSight St. Louis (HBCU) Alumni Breakfast and panel discussion at Washington University’s Charles F. Knight Center. Valerie Patton, executive director of the St. Louis Business Diversity Initiative and HBCU graduate of Howard University, moderated the event. Many HBCU alumni live and work in St. Louis, and several are involved with InSight St. Louis as ambassadors, mentors, and event speakers. The event concluded with a tour of Wash. U’s Olin School of Business.
HBCUs that participated in this year’s Career Exploration Trip were: Florida A&M University; Howard University; Spelman College; Morehouse College; Clark Atlanta University; Hampton University; University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Tuskegee University. InSight St. Louis has begun recruiting for next year’s program and plans to attend upcoming on-campus career fairs and informational sessions at HBCUs. If students are unable to attend these events, they may upload their resumes online for consideration. InSight St. Louis also accepts student recommendations by faculty and staff members.
To submit a resume, visit insightstl.org or email Jo-Ann Digman at jdigman@awdstl.com for further inquiries.