GSU Career Expo | Attending Professional Networking Events: 3 points

The Georgia State Career Expo, held on Wednesday, September 24th, in the Student Center East Ballroom, was an exciting and informative experience for me in my professional journey, particularly in the context of this course and my time at Georgia State. I visited four tables and viewed the slideshow broadcast to the back of the room to engage with potential employers and practice the networking skills and techniques discussed in my Introduction to Sport Management class.  These career opportunities included Fan Duel, the Carter Center, Teach for America, Rockdale County Public Schools, and U.S. Soccer.

Some of the key insights I gained varied from personal takeaways to professional ones. For example, when speaking with the representative from Fan Duel, Ms. Penn,  I realized that I did not want to further engage with this company due to her lackluster attitude and lack of knowledge on relevant departments for myself and others interested.  A more positive experience came when I engaged with Miss Aissa Sylla, an intern with the Carter Center.  She was quick to connect on LinkedIn, share personal anecdotes, and explain everything necessary to myself and others at the table.  This interaction was a masterclass in making impactful connections while networking, and I am in the process of applying for the internship she recommended!

My other two in person connections were also positive: I reconnected with the Teach for America representative who also recruits at Spelman and met the Chief Human Resources officer at Rockdale County Public Schools was a gem who was unafraid to share her personal advice and story with those of us who listened.  It was genuinely a time well spent at both of those tables.

A notable highlight that I must mention is the interaction I had with Ms. Tonya Cook, a program specialist at Georgia State and a member of my sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.  She was very excited to run into me and has since connected with me on LinkedIn, offering guidance and a calm place on campus, in the form of her office, if I ever need it.

Getting to experience this Career Expo alongside my classmates Madison and Desmond, and running into Wills, Charles, Maya, and others, was also really calming, as it reminded me that I was not in this new space alone.

All in all, I had an amazing time, and I look forward to possibly participating in something similar if I reenroll in the ARCHE Program in the Spring!

By Laila Montgomery