A career path can look completely different once you meet someone who has already walked it. That belief shaped CYC’s inaugural College Success Career Summit, created and coordinated by our College Success team to connect College Fellows and alumni with the people, knowledge, and tools that can help them move from college to career.
On August 4, CYC brought alumni, industry professionals, and corporate and community partners to Central Piedmont Community College’s Central Campus for a full day of practical guidance, career exposure, and new connections.
Before Fellows entered their workshops, they heard from someone who knows the CYC journey firsthand. CYC alumna and 2022 Jordan Wings Scholarship recipient Dyamond Grate opened the summit with a keynote address about resilience. Her message to Fellows was clear: Never stop dreaming, and give yourself permission to dream even bigger.
The summit was not designed as a one-size-fits-all experience. Workshops were organized around the questions Fellows may face at different stages of college and their careers.
Adian Williams shared how campus involvement can help students prepare for internships. Shana Price discussed why building relationships matters just as much as building a strong résumé. Chelsea Witman broke down how to approach a career fair with confidence, while Stephanie Maben connected the steps between meeting an employer and securing an internship offer.
For Fellows preparing to enter the workforce, Tyteanah Cravin explored how to identify employers and navigate the job search. Nadira Long shared five practical lessons for succeeding in a first job. The day also included sessions on planning for graduate school with Dr. Kathy Griswold Fine, preparing for competitive internship interviews with Kita Edwards, and using social capital to launch a career with Dr. Nicole Videla.
At 4 p.m., the day shifted from preparation to practice. During the networking and recruiting fair, Fellows met representatives from Equitable, Duke Energy, Amwins, the Charlotte Alliance of Black Accountants, KPMG, NASCAR, UNC Charlotte, Albemarle, Microsoft, TIAA, Turner Construction, JELD-WEN, and Bank of America.
Fellows introduced themselves, asked questions, explored different industries, and learned more about the paths that brought each professional to where they are today. The goal was not simply to collect company names. It was to help Fellows practice starting conversations, building relationships, and staying connected.
Those connections should not end when the room clears. With support from Equitable, CYC also introduced Backrs as part of its rollout to College Fellows. The platform gives Fellows access to personalized coaching and resources, scholarship and career opportunities, AI tools for academic and professional preparation, and a national network of peers, professionals, and employers.
Dreaming big matters. So does having people in your corner who can help you take the next step. Our College Success team created the summit to bring both within reach. Our partners showed up with practical steps, industry knowledge, and a willingness to open their networks. Fellows left with more than notes from a workshop. They left with new people to call, new paths to consider, and a stronger sense of what is possible.
Because sometimes the next opportunity begins with a conversation.