HBCU campuses have A LOT (sometimes overwhelming) of groups and clubs for members to get involved and build leadership skills.
Some of these groups include Greek Life, ROTC, Royal Courts and Intramural Sports, for students on HBCU campuses to get involved in college life!
Career Competencies
Employers cite key Career Readiness Competencies expected from new graduates annually. These key competencies change as the future of work evolves. The 2019 list of importance of each competence is below. All are rated out of 5.
Critical Thinking/Problem Solving – 4.7
Teamwork/Collaboration – 4.5
Professionalism/Work Ethic – 4.4
Oral/Written Communications – 4.3
Digital Technology – 3.8
Leadership – 3.7
Career Management – 3.4
lobal/Multicultural Fluency – 2.8
Students must develop these competencies while in college. Therefore, students MUST remain actively involved to develop these skills. Because, this is how students will be ready at graduation.
Regardless of where you go to college, here are some ways to find resources on your own college campus. These are places where involvement will help build career ready skills. These lists are just examples of where to look on your own campus. If you don’t find a group you like on your campus, then start one!
Campus Student Life Organizations
Look for campus organizations like these found on HBCU campuses.
Multicultural Campus Groups
Look for multicultural programming on your campuses like the examples below.
North Carolina A & T Multicultural Student Center was established to support the “educational, cultural, social and intellectual growth of the campus community about individual differences and global issues.”
International Student Services at Howard University does programming to meet the needs of students from many nations.
Tennessee State University lists many multicultural organizations including an African Students Association, Bangladesh Student Association, Gay Straight Alliance and the Saudi Students Club.
Academic Clubs on Campus
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Pre-Law Society Student Org
Spelman College Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED) Health Pre-Professional Honor Society
College Chapters of National Professional Associations
On some campuses, there are even collaborative relationships between HBCUs and other colleges through professional organizations. Some examples include:
National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE): There is a chapter collaboration between Florida A & M University (a HBCU) and Florida State University. Both schools are located in Tallahassee, FL and the annual student membership is $15.00.
National Association of Black Accountants (NABA): This organization has student chapters on many HBCU campuses. Also, they host professional conferences annually for students and alumni. This organization has 200,000 African American members. The annual student membership is $35.00.
National Association of African Americans in Human Resources: (NAAAHR) This is a national organization for human resources professionals. The annual student membership is $30.
National Black MBA Association: This is a professional organization with local chapters in almost every major American city. African Americans who hold a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) are members of this association. Student membership fees range from $15 to $45 annually.
National Black Nurses Association: This organization was founded almost 50 years ago. Also, it has membership of 150,000+ African American nurses in the United States, Caribbean and Africa. The annual membership fee for students is $50.00.
National Association of Black Journalists: A professional organization for African Americans working in print, radio, television, new media and related areas. Also, NABJ was founded in 1975 and annual membership for students is $40.00 annually.
Looking for a new job or internship?
UPLOAD YOUR RESUME TO CONNECT WITH EMPLOYERS RECRUITING HBCU TALENT
Hundreds of employers post jobs on The HBCU Career Center to connect employment opportunities with HBCU students and alumni.