Internship PREP

Written by: Jaharra Simmons
Howard University CO 2016

Landing your dream internship may seem a little challenging but with a little guidance it can be a breeze. The following steps can make this process just a tad bit easier.

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      Research: There’s nothing worse than spending an entire summer at an internship that you hate, so research is key. Do as much research as possible while applying to internships, this can ensure that you will enjoy your experience more.

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      Network: Building relationships with recruiters is a great way to stand out from your peers. Subtle communication such as a few emails per week and attending information sessions shows these recruiters that you are serious about the opportunities they’re offering.

·        Resume Critiques: Having your resume critiqued by a professor or even an industry professional can be very helpful. When working on your resume, make sure you are tailoring it to the industry you are interested in entering. This shows the employer that you’re qualified for the position and gets right to the point in detailing your experience or knowledge about the industry and the particular company you are pursuing. 

·         Mock Interviews: It’s best to be prepared so a practice interview can do nothing but help. This can prepare you for the actual interview process and equip you with answers for questions the employer will possibly ask. Look up the company on websites like, Glassdoor.com and you can find specific questions that the company tends to ask during interviews. Ask a roommate, classmate, professor or counselor who is invested in your success to conduct your mock interview. 

·         First Impressions: Before you go to the interview make sure you do your research on the company’s corporate culture. This will consist of the dress code, core values and overall feel of the company. Make sure when going to the interview you appear as if you already work there, dress to fit the part and appeal to the company’s culture in the best interview attire that you own. Also, research the history of the company so you seem knowledgeable and up-to-date on the current happenings within the company and how they are performing against competitors.

I hope these tips help in landing your dream internship. Also remember, confidence and persistence is key and the employer will notice your efforts!  

Editorial Credit

- Jaharra Simmons Spring 2015 

Five Fab Autumn Essentials

Five Fab Autumn Essentials 

Written by: Jaharra Simmons 

Howard University CO 2016 

I’m pretty sure I’m not speaking for myself when I say that fall is the best time for fashion. All the layers paired with subtle pops of color are perfect for showcasing your personal style. Fall is also the time where the work load tends to get a little heavy. Professors start to pile on the assignments and after awhile it all starts to build up. With this being said passing your classes is the first thing on your mind and your appearance tends to take the back burner, leaving less time to get ready every morning. With these 5 autumn essentials you can put together an effortlessly stylish look in a matter of minutes.

·         The Autumn Parka: this versatile piece can also transition into the winter with some additional lining. But it allows you to stay cozy in the fall without adding heavy layers. You can pair it with a fun printed tee and jeans. In the winter it can be paired with an oversized knit and a scarf.

·         Booties: the time has come to leave behind all your cute sandals and Birks to pick up some cozier shoes. Booties are a cute and comfy way to be stylish. With so much variety the styles can range from class to a night out on the town.

·         Jeans: finding a good fitting pair of jeans can definitely be life changing. So its time to get out and find those life changing jeans. Distressed jeans are really in but if the holey look isn’t for you, you can opt out and go for jeans with a slit knee. This alternative gives you an edgy look without feeling too much of a breeze.

·         Chunky Knit Cardigans & Sweaters: as the temperature goes down the need to stay cozy definitely increases. Chunky knit cardigans and sweaters are a cute way to stay warm. Mix it up and add a pop of color to your outfits with your sweater. You can also wear your favorite summer tops in the fall and throw on a cozy cardigan for some much needed layering. Layering will definitely become your BFF in the fall.

·         Hats: we all know that beanies are good for keeping you warm in the colder months, but structured hats are making a comeback! The possibilities for headgear are no longer limited to beanies. Non-beanie style hats can range from fedoras to floppy hats. This new headgear can give a simple look a touch of class.

I hope these 5 autumn essentials make your shopping and daily routines a little easier and help with the transition to winter!

Editorial Credit

- Jaharra Simmons Fall 2014

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Trayvon Martin

On Saturday, DC became one of the latest sites for protest rallies across the country on behalf of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed teenager slain by self-appointed vigilante neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman. As we all have become painfully aware, Trayvon was only carrying candy and an ice tea when he was gunned down.

The rally in DC had a consistent, strong undertone-justice for Trayvon’s killer and demands that he be put under arrest and made to stand trial in a court of law. One speaker after another noted that if the situation had been reversed, a thorough investigation would have been done and Trayvon would undoubtedly be in jail now, waiting to be arraigned on charges. Others blasted the justice system that allowed this tragedy to take place, the profiling of black men, especially young black boys and vowed to continue to protest and demonstrate until Zimmerman is brought up on trial.

But on what would have been the 100^th birthday of the late civil rights activist Dr. Dorothy Height, few speakers at the rally brought up what seems to be unspoken and unanswered s in our community. Why do we not have the same type of outrage that we have for Trayvon when another black life is taken by another black life? Why do we have a culture of calling people snitches and threatening individuals who cooperate with law enforcement when there’s black on black crime? Why is it seen as “acting white” when black kids want to and do well in school, want to go to college and want to better their lives? The ironic thing  is that some folks out here protesting Trayvon’s murder might have saw him as acting white in any other context had he not been murdered because he was an A/B student. But because he was a good student and a good kid, that made him a “perfect victim” in contrast to what we know about his killer, who apparently had more than one run-in with the law and wasn’t exactly scholar material.

What will happen after the days and weeks when Trayvon’s murder is no longer a leading topic on Twitter, when the investigation is closed and hopefully Zimmerman is tried and convicted on second degree murder charges? Will Trayvon’s murder and the resulting activism be a flash in the pan or the beginning of a mentality change in our community? Will we start demanding a stop to black on black crime and hopefully reverse the cycle that leads to the prison industrial complex? Will we stop the no snitching and gang culture that decimates black lives? Will we hold ourselves accountable to further our education and keep improving ourselves-even when it’s hard, when it seems like there is no way out and even in the face of racism? Will we volunteer and work to better our communities and believe there is nothing too small or too little we can do towards that goal?

Will we start taking our community and lives seriously so that if there is another, God forbid, Trayvon Martin and George Zimmerman situation, law enforcement and the justice system will feel compelled to their jobs and not profile and make terrible assumptions and judgments like they did about Trayvon?

This is our world.  What will you do?

By Nicole Lewis, Published: March 25, 2011

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