Alumni of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences shared career advice and reflections on life after graduation on Jan. 31 at the Department of Career Planning and Development panel discussion entitled, “Where are they now?”
The six alumni of varying majors answered audience questions about best practices in job searching, networking, marketability and the career possibilities offered by a humanities degree. They also shared personal stories about their career paths and lessons they’ve learned, as well as their successes and failures.
“We wanted to provide some real-life knowledge from the alumni of Humanities and Social Sciences and kind of get a check-in so you can see where they are and what they’re doing, so you can look toward the future and start planning for yourself,” said Krysta Fry, a career and internship advisor for the Department of Career Planning and Development and the moderator for the event.
The panelists included:
- Trent Henning, Weener & Nathan LLP, Political Science
- Chanda Caldwell, Assurant Specialty Property, Political Science
- Damaso Nfumi-Saka, Wells Fargo, International Affairs
- Jean Marc Akakpo, Kennesaw State University, Political Science
- James Mosely, Georgia Department of Labor, Criminal Justice
- Steven Ellis, Kennesaw State University & Cobb County Solicitor General, Political Science
Many panelists spoke on the importance of persistence and proactivity in job-searching, citing personal obstacles they overcame to achieve success.
“In this life, in order to be able to succeed, you first have to fail many times,” said Damaso Nfumi-Saka, an international affairs graduate who now works for Wells Fargo. “It’s not how many times you fail, but how many times you get up.”
Nfumi-Saka said he applied to Wells Fargo more than 40 times before he was offered a job.
The panelists also weighed in on effective networking methods, advocating for building connections through “natural networking” — by engaging in activities one enjoys rather than through formal networking events. Several said they found opportunities through Greek life and student organizations, as well as through friendships with professors and other students.
James Mosely, a criminal justice graduate who now works with veterans at the Georgia Department of Labor, said he resolved to collect at least 100 contacts in his smartphone from fellow students within his major before he graduated.
“I figured that people I was going to class with would be in the same industry I wanted to be in and could possibly be in a key position one day,” Mosely said.
Agreeing with Mosely’s comment, the organizers of the event encouraged students to stay connected with the university after graduation and remain active as alumni. According to Ama Economy, associate director for alumni engagement, KSU offers “nests,” groups of graduates in major cities around the country, for alumni to connect with one another.
“Other KSU alums are going to be your biggest ally, and they will be the ones advocating the hardest for you to get that job,” Economy said.
For more information about upcoming career-related events, visit careers.kennesaw.edu.
