Student Success Story
Tyrese Manigault
Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina
Degree earned at Valdosta State: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication, Fall 2021
Current Job: Manager of Employee Engagement for NASCAR, Daytona Beach, Florida
Can you tell me a little about your background?
I currently serve as the Manager of Employee Engagement for NASCAR. I am based in Daytona Beach, Florida at the NASCAR headquarters. I have a strong passion for my community and people. I have had several opportunities to serve my community back home and in Valdosta during my undergraduate career. Using my education in communication, I have spearheaded several events in collaboration with community partners in my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, in years past. I helped bring those same initiatives to Valdosta State in 2021 along with former VSU Collegiate NAACP President, Nyla Williams and current VSU Student Government Association President, Jalen Smith, during the launch of the inaugural VSU Campus Safety Week.
My interest in human resources was piqued following a 2021 internship in Las Vegas, Nevada, where I served as a Public Relations and Human Resources intern for Station Casinos. I was one of 11 people chosen from a group of 2,500-plus applicants. I began my career in human resources following graduation and after persistence gained an opportunity to serve as the current Human Resources Manager of Employee Engagement, leading and assisting in initiatives for all of NASCAR’s employees.
What made you want to work for NASCAR?
I have been a fan of NASCAR since I was 8 years old. I started watching NASCAR on TV one day when I was bored and flipping through channels, and it turned out to be the best thing I could have done. I thought I wanted to be a NASCAR driver, but then I realized that wasn’t my dream. I knew everything there was to know about the sport as a fan. I wanted to become a difference maker and a professional who truly understands the sport and desires to know more.
Can you tell me what it’s like to work for NASCAR as a person of color when NASCAR is not known to be a very diverse organization?
I can say that NASCAR is taking tremendous strides to become the NASCAR of today and tomorrow. After learning the history of the sport, there was a time when I questioned if there would ever be room for someone like me. Now, after being at NASCAR and taking in my new environment, I can sense that there has been a new leaf turned, not only externally but also internally for NASCAR. Drivers and owners like Bubba Wallace, Michael Jordan, and Pitbull have paved the way for a variety of new talent, not just on the track but in the office as well. As a person who loves people and loves this sport, it is an honor to work for NASCAR because I get to be a part of driving the next generation of talent.
Cited from: https://blog.valdosta.edu/blog/2022/08/02/young-alumni-spotlight-tyrese-manigault/?fbclid=IwAR0u1UNNS3u_MpOAHUeKiIcqdBJTsMkPF9iU_B27oXB7EfGbaNnPT6f6eaY
Keyana Howard
Bachelof of Science Healthcare Administration/Management
Which services offered by Career Opportunities did you utilize?
Career Testing, Blazing Careers (Handshake), Resume Preparation, Part-Time Job Listings, Job Search Strategies In what ways did the Career Opportunities office help you prepare for your job search, admission to graduate school and or transitioning into the world of work?
Constantly updating my resume has helped me look the most prepared for my field. I also took the time to participate in mock interviews and career research to see which profession was better suited for me. What advice would you give to current students about career planning and job search?
Start going to career fairs and networking. Networking help students get exposure to potential employees and builds connections. What is your current Job Title? Who is your Employer?
Revenue Cycle Account Coordinator Associate What about Career Opportunities would you recommend to your friends? If nothing, please explain:
Definitely the resume building services. I get my resume redone for every new job, internship or volunteer opportunity.Did you use career opportunities for services prior to or during your job search? If so, what services did you use?:
Resume Development, Career Fairs/ExposTell us your story
Where are you now?:
I was a fist generation college student with very little knowledge of what I was doing when I came to Valdosta State University. But everyone in my life told me that education was the key and college was a great opportunity so there I was beginning my new journey as a college student. I flourished personally and socially through making new friends and getting involved in campus clubs and organizations such as CAB and NAACP. But my academics became more and more of a challenge. Between financial struggles and navigating my learning difference without support, academics were often frustrating and overwhelming.While looking into testing support I connected with Ms. Rebecca Taylor and she quickly became a mentor, confidant, and support system. I was able to push through and finally complete my bachelorâEUR(tm)s in psychology.Once I finish with my bachelors degree a great friend and fellow Blazer encouraged me to return for my masters degree in School Counseling. With my bachelors being such a challenge I was hesitant. When I spoke to Ms. Rebecca not only did she encourage me but she helped me find support and resources every step of the way. I connected with Housing for a graduate assistantship and fell in love with Higher Ed. Once I secured my first full-time professional job in Housing after completing my masters I vowed that I would be for other students what Ms. Rebecca was for me.During my time at FAMU as a Residential Director I grew as a professional and learned to center my identity as a Black woman in my work instead of trying to conform to the common discourse of professionalism. Through this experience I was also able to support students through their own identity development and help them center their own identities in their work.After helping and advocating for students in the Housing realm for over ten years I took the leap to the DEI space in Higher Ed. DEI is so aligned with my values and leadership that I was able to flourish in this space fully. IâEUR(tm)m a fierce advocate for equity and social justice but most importantly I am a proponent of humanizing people and their experiences. My leadership has most recently provided me the opportunity to serve as the Director of the Diversity & Affinity Centers at California State University, East Bay. I am honored and excited to serve students in this new role as I continue to advocate and celebrate who they are and are growing to be on their academic journey. As I work towards transformative change in education, especially for students that have been historically marginalized, I take with me the impact of my many experiences at Valdosta State University. I am thankful for the education I gained, the growth I experienced, the friends I made, and the support and inspiration of one Ms. Rebecca Taylor that I was able to experience at VSU. I am forever and always proud to be a Blazer!
Lidia Guajardo
Which services offered by Career Opportunities did you utilize?
Career Counseling, Blazing Careers (Handshake), Resume Preparation, Resume Walk-In Hours, Job Search Strategies, Career Expo, Interview Skills, Grad School Admissions HelpIn what ways did the Career Opportunities office help you with or prepare you for your job search, admission to graduate school and or transitioning into the world of work?
They always helped me with my resume and helped narrow down what I could do with my degree.What advice would you give to current students about career planning and job search?
Start early and get involved on campus. It helps earn work experience that you will need to be able to show once you go into the workplace.What is your current Job Title? Who is your Employer?
CAMP Recruiter, Valdosta State UniversityWhat about Career Opportunities would you recommend to your friends?
Help guide you in your job search, and interview skills and support find the correct words you need to make your job skills look more marketable.
She gave this advice to students about career planning: "The strategic plans set forth by this office are commendable! Every personnel is happy to help you with whatever you need. They take their mission statement very seriously, so use the resources that they provide. They are all hard workers!!"
Which services offered by Career Opportunities did you utilize?
A: Career Counseling, Career Testing, Career Resource Library , Resume Preparation, Resume Walk-In Hours, Part-Time Job Listings, Job Search Strategies, Career Expo, Career Development Seminar, Interview Skills, Mock Interview, On-Campus Interviews, Class Presentation, Grad School Admissions HelpIn what ways do you the Career Opportunities office help you with or prepare you for you job search, admission to graduate school and or transitioning into the world of work?
The Office of Career Opportunities has done nothing but great things in efforts to solidify my post- graduation success. Between help with resume review, employment opportunities, academic success tips, among other stupendous benefits, this office has done it all and more. They exceed in all their efforts and VSU students are honored to have them!What is your current Job Title? Who is your Employee?
Academic Advisor, Valdosta State UniversityWhat about Career Opporunities would you recommend to your friends?
I recommend all of their services; they are all equally important to student success, especially post-graduation.
Shanece Hayes, M.S.
Is a recent Valdosta State graduate with a Master in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
She shares, "My advice would be for students to explore multiple opportunities within their field and outside their field. Fortunately I have been able to travel to different places, meet amazing people and hone my professional etiquette from several different perspectives because I explored different interests besides psychology. Overall, my only advice is for people to explore other interests, you never know where it leads!"
Which services by Career Opportunities did you utilize?
Resume Development, Career Counseling, Job Search, Blazer Briefcase, Career Fairs/Expos, Blazer Ready, Internships or Cooperative Education
In what ways did the Career Opportunities office help you with or prepare you for your job search, admission to graduate school and or transitioning into the world of work?
With the help of VSU and Career Opportunities (as well as working as a GA position in this department) I was surrounded by tenured professionals who gave me excellent career advise as well as helped me hone my professional etiquette. In addition, I had first hand experience in all of their career fairs which helped me sell my soft and hard skills without relying on my resume so heavily. It is because of VSU and Career Opportunities and its staff that I am currently working as a Senior Human Resource Assistant for Amazon.
What is your current Job Title? Who is your Employer?
Senior Human Resource Assistant for Amazon in Macon, GA.
What about Career Services would you recommend to your friends?
Resume Development, Career Counseling, Job Search, Blazer Briefcase, Career Fairs/Expos, Blazer Ready, Internships or Cooperative Education
What can Career Opportunities do for you?
Q; Which services by Career Opportunities did you utilize?
A: Resume
Q: In what ways did the Career Opportunities office help you with or prepare you for your job search, admission to graduate school and or transitioning into the world of work?
A: I am working at the Valdosta Lowndes Regional Crime Laboratory as a Chemist, and feeling very blessed to have found this job amidst the pandemic. Career Opportunities helped me in so many ways- especially with my resume. My professors also provided great connections and wrote recommendations for my job applications. VSU prepared me well for life after college and I would not be at my job now without VSU.
Q: What is your current Job Title? Who is your Employer?
A: Valdosta Lowndes Regional Crime Laboratory as a Chemist
Q: What about Career Services would you recommend to your friends?
A: All - Career Opportunities services
What can Career Opportunities do for you?
Q; Which services by Career Opportunities did you utilize?
A: Resume Development, Career Counseling, Job Search , Career Fairs/Expos
Q: In what ways did the Career Opportunities office help you with or prepare you for your job search, admission to graduate school and or transitioning into the world of work?
A: In 2015, Kyle received his Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and African American Studies at Valdosta State University (VSU) in Valdosta, GA. Kyle received his Master's degree in Higher Education Leadership; Student Affairs from VSU in 2017 after serving as the graduate assistant for the Office of Career Opportunities directly reporting to Mrs. Carla Jordan.
Kyle began his career shortly after being hired as a Lead Career Consultant for the University of Georgia Career Center where he provided career development to more than 2000 undergrad and graduate students during his 4 year tenure. Kyle currently serves as the Career Educator for liberal arts students at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Ga Tech), active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., an autodidact artist and entrepreneur; Kyle loves educating and empowering his community in any way he can, believing that a vision without sight is a calamity.
Q: What is your current Job Title? Who is your Employer?
A: Career Educator for liberal arts students at the Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech)
Q: What about Career Services would you recommend to your friends?
A: All - Career Opportunities services
Advice from a Graduate
"To current students -- be proactive in your career planning. But even more importantly, remember that you don't have to do it alone! Career Opportunities will help and guide you along the way."
What can Career Opportunities do for you?
Q; Which services by Career Opportunities did you utilize?
A: Mock Interviews, Blazer Briefcase, Career Fairs/Expos
Q: In what ways did the Career Opportunities office help you with or prepare you for your job search, admission to graduate school and or transitioning into the world of work?
A: I am thankful for career opportunities' services and the staff's unwavering commitment to student success. I am immensely grateful for the Introduction to Professional Practice course taught by Mr. Darius Anthony, and the F.I.E.R.C.E. Mentoring Program led by Ms. Carla Jordan and Ms. Sandra Jones of Student Diversity and Inclusion, that helped prepare me for transitioning into today's workforce. Because of these services and programs, I started my position with confidence in my abilities and knowledge of how to position myself for success.
Q: What is your current Job Title? Who is your Employer?
A: Marketing & Communications Specialist for Middle Georgia Electric Membership Corporation in Vienna, GA.
Q: What about Career Services would you recommend to your friends?
A: All - Career Opportunities' services
What can Career Opportunities do for you?
Q; Which services by Career Opportunities did you utilize?
A: Resume Development, Career Counseling, Internships or Cooperative Education
Q: What is your current Job Title? Who is your Employer?
A: I am currently serving at the University of California, Santa Cruz campus as the Student Government and Leadership Coordinator. My day-to-day responsibilities include the management of over a half-million-dollar budget; supervising, advising, and mentoring over 70 student leaders; as well as serving as an internal campus partner who focuses mainly on community building and collaboration across departments.
Q: What about Career Services would you recommend to your friends?
A: All - Resume Development, Career Counseling, Internships or Cooperative Education
Currently interns with the Campus Police Department made the Valdosta Daily Times. Maya is doing an excellent job this semester, of course with a 3.9 GPA you expect good results! - Dr. Prine, Professor of Criminal Justice and Intern Director
View Article Here Valdosta Daily Times
Did you use career opportunities for services prior to or during your job search? If so, what services did you use?:
None
Tell us your story Where are you now?:
The Virtual Spring Education Fair on 4/14/21 was wonderful! I met with an HR rep, connected with a principal a few weeks later, and ended up getting hired as a Head Counselor for Dekalb County Public Schools. I wouldn't have been able to do this without going to the fair. The HR rep fixed a glitch with my file in their system. I will be graduating in December of 2021!
Career Opportunities
- Student Union, 2nd Floor, Room 2218 Valdosta, Georgia 31698
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Mailing Address
1500 N. Patterson St.
Valdosta, GA 31698 - Phone: 229.333.5942
- Fax: 229.259.5515