Page 10 - Laker Connection 2014

One student who felt that excitement was December 2013 graduate Angel Devone. An integrative studies major with a minor in supply chain management, De- vone was also empowered by the University’s Corporate Partners Program, and the Office of Career Services, in addition to the academic programs of the College of Business. As a result, she was hired for her supply chain expertise by Georgia-Pacific as a procurement specialist. In fact, after three months of employment at Georgia- Pacific’s Houston plant, she was promoted to supporting the Georgia Pacific plant in Las Vegas.
As Director of Career Services Bridgette McDonald ex- plains, Devone was hired by Georgia-Pacific after taking part in one of her office’s periodic Employer Information Sessions – events that give Corporate Partners like Geor- gia-Pacific an up close and personal view of the Univer- sity’s best and brightest.
From the students’ perspective, the Employer Informa- tion Sessions are an empowering opportunity to listen to recruiters discuss how to gain inside knowledge to their hiring practices. That was the case in August 2013, when Devone attended the Georgia-Pacific Employer Infor- mation Session on the Clayton State campus and had a
Career Services offers several opportunities throughout the year for students to network with potential employers and graduate schools. Bringing career and educational opportunities to campus empowers students to make connections that can make their dreams real.
chance to interact with Georgia-Pacific Vice President for Procurement Scott Harper, eventually leading to her position(s) with Georgia-Pacific.
“There has been nothing but positive acceptance for our supply chain management program here at Clayton State University,” says Mascaritolo. “Companies like Geor- gia-Pacific, Philips Van Hausen, Kuehne + Nagle, Delta, and Coca-Cola, find our students of supply chain man- agement well-trained and competent in meeting their re- quirements for filling competitive entry level positions.”
Clearly, the College of Business, like the rest of Clayton State, is a place of empowerment for students. Perhaps the student who expresses that the best is the president of the Clayton State Accounting Club and VITA volun- teer, Garron Barrett, who notes that, while he’s learned a lot of complex tax codes in class, “it was a great expe- rience to talk to people, to engage with them.”
Ogden and Barrett both agree that “doing” tax returns live is a lot different than doing them in the classroom, and that students are indeed empowered by the experi- ence.
“Every tax situation is different, you have to figure out every part of the tax return,” he says. “You can’t flip to the back to the book to see the answer.”
While going “live” does provide the VITA volunteers with an empowering experience, Barrett also notes that their service also helps the taxpayers.
“By applying what we know in a real situation we can inform the taxpayers,” he explains. “We can also help the taxpayers learn about filling out their forms in the future.
“It’s a learning environment for everyone.”
8 THE LAKER CONNECTION