Learning More about Myself Through Career Development - Tori Graham (4 points)

I was selected for and participated in Spelman Career Launch, a 4-week enrichment program in which we connected with Verizon employees/recruiters every Thursday and learned career development skills. I’ve usually viewed career interests and my personal interests as completely separate, but career launch showed me that they mutually benefit each other. I learned that career success isn’t only determined by technical knowledge but also by relationships, communication, and personal branding. Hearing directly from Verizon employees and recruiters expanded my understanding of how professional growth depends on both competence and connection.

Our head, Ms. Armstead pushed me to think critically about my own strengths, values, and career goals. Through resume workshops and elevator pitch exercises, I realized I’m more capable of articulating my goals than I thought. I also discovered that I enjoy connecting with professionals and learning from their experiences, which gave me more confidence in networking settings. Academically, it helped me refine how I approach my coursework by encouraging me to think strategically about how each class builds toward my career path.

I plan on using the networking and communication skills from the program in real professional settings. I practiced this at the AUC career fair and my mock interview. I now know how to adjust my resume and elevator pitch to different opportunities, and I understand the importance of demonstrating both technical and soft skills. I also plan to continue seeking mentorship and building professional relationships to stay prepared for future career opportunities  

On the program itself, a major strength was the direct access to Verizon professionals who shared honest insights about their careers. The workshops were practical and interactive, which made the lessons easy to apply. One weakness, however, was the limited time for one-on-one feedback. Including more individualized coaching on resumes or mock interviews would have been helpful. Extending the program or adding small-group mentoring sessions could make it even stronger.

Nevertheless, it was an amazing experience that reinforced my previous academic and leadership roles that taught communication and collaboration were key. A pattern I’ve noticed is that every meaningful opportunity, whether in school projects or networking events, comes down to relationships and preparation. To be able to create healthy relationships, I need to be in tune with myself and my own goals.