Listen to the Episode Here!

[00:00:00] Fina: You're now listening to the blue record podcast. 

[00:00:06] Theme Song: Yeah. Check it. We in this together. A Spelmanite is a warrior fighting for justice. We can never be silent, so yeah, we causing a ruckus. Lift our voices up to bring injustice down. Speaking truth to power, we loving the sound. Undaunted by the fight, love is all we need. It's time to clear out the air so we all can breathe. Ain't no stopping us, we stick together. This bond is gonna last forever. Marching every day until we free. That's our buried treasure. 

[00:00:40] Shiloh: Hi everyone. I'm super excited to be recording today. My name is Shiloh Wolfork. I'm a junior English major minoring in management organization from Cincinnati, Ohio, and I'm a member of the editorial team for the Blue Record this year. 

[00:00:59] Love: Hey [00:01:00] y'all, this is Love. I am a senior political science major, food studies minor from Edgewater, New Jersey in Tryon, Alabama, and I serve as the director of the Blue Record podcast this year.

[00:01:10] Fina: hey, everyone. My name is Josephine Owusu. I'm a junior political science major on the pre law track, and I am originally from Ghana, but I currently reside in Alexandria, Virginia. I'm so excited to be here today. I've been dying to be a host on this lovely podcast. I currently serve as one of the social media managers, and I just want to do a check in with y'all.

[00:01:30] So how are y'all feeling? How are you guys feeling with Homecoming coming up? How's the vibes? 

[00:01:35] Love: I can't believe this is my senior homecoming. I'm class of 24 so I came in during the COVID years and it just feels so wrong that The second Homecoming concert is technically supposed to be my last.

[00:01:51] I don't know how my friends who are graduating this year, I don't know how they're excited for Homecoming and not terrified that we're almost [00:02:00] done with this semester. 

[00:02:02] Shiloh: I feel like, for me, this semester so far has been kind of tiresome, very busy. But I am excited for Homecoming because my family's coming next week.

[00:02:11] So, 

[00:02:11] Fina: that's so exciting. Family coming out to see 21 and Dirk. 

[00:02:15] No, they're gonna be coming after the concert. Oh, okay. 

[00:02:20] Shiloh: You know, you don't want to mess with all that. They're

[00:02:27] not familiar actually. 

[00:02:27] They said the tailgate. Go get some food. 

[00:02:30] Fina: Cute. That's so cute. I love that. Well, I'm personally very excited for homecoming. I feel like homecoming is like the actual homecoming. of like all the alumna and like all the alumna who have all the network and the connections and the money And it's just like a great time 

[00:02:46] Love: Yeah, I do love seeing the alumna see their Spelman sisters.

[00:02:50] it feels like How extremely joyful I feel when I see my friends like that I haven't seen in a long time Especially now as a senior [00:03:00] Everyone's younger than me. So when I see people who have been here for years, I'm like, I'm so happy. I'm so I'm just so excited that I don't even know how to describe it.

[00:03:12] Like it's just like a childlike joy and I can tell that it's still there with the alumna and it's such a Beautiful experience. 

[00:03:19] Fina: It definitely is a beautiful experience. And speaking of alumna and life outside of the gates, what were you guys doing this summer? Any summer internships? studying abroad? What was the vibe this summer? 

[00:03:29] Shiloh: Yeah, this summer I actually had a marketing internship for the first time. So, it introduced me to marketing. I realized that I enjoy marketing. it was at a private wealth management firm. called Bessemer Trust. It was remote, so I got to be with my family. I was happy about that.

[00:03:43] but I was in their communications and client digital department. Soit was different. It was, I enjoyed it. I'm going back next summer. So it was good. It was good. It was good. 

[00:03:55] Love: I feel like Spelman always puts us in different positions. Yeah. They [00:04:00] want to challenge us and make sure that we know that Outside these gates is outside these gates.

[00:04:08] Like, there's no, like, there's not coddling or anything at Spelman, I would say. But, you know, you're not among other Spelmanites out in the real world. So, to be in positions like that is really important. I was actually at a non profit in D. C. called Mercy Corps. 

[00:04:26] Fina: Ooh, D. C. Shout out to DMV. 

[00:04:28] Love: Shout out to DMV. It was very fun, honestly. I wasn't even outside that much. I would just say that DC is a very fun energy and I really enjoyed being a spelmanite in DC. it was nice to not be on the Hill or like, you know, any position like that because I felt like, I feel like when you go to internships like that, it can be.

[00:04:52] It can almost feel not real. And so, it was nice to be at a non profit. It was like I was working with, like, you [00:05:00] know, actual adults that just like go to and from work every day. Like, it's a 9 to 5, and that was a really nice experience. I was definitely challenged while I was there with my work. I really enjoyed it.

[00:05:12] I would like to go back, but I think that my summer will actually be a little bit different next summer. So, who knows? 

[00:05:20] Fina: Sounds like you had a great summer in D. C. 

[00:05:22] Love: It was great. I also accidentally picked up an unofficial internship with another organization while I was there called WANDA that I really loved.

[00:05:32] WANDA stands for Women Advancing Nutrition, Dietetics, and Agriculture. I really love that organization, they do great work, so I got to stick around with them for a while too, so yeah, it was wild, I was just kind of exploring life, like for real. 

[00:05:49] Fina: Did you try mumbo sauce? And wings? It's like a DMV cultural food type of thing.

[00:05:55] Love: Don't hate me. 

[00:05:56] Fina: Oh my god, love. don't say it. [00:06:00] 

[00:06:00] Love: Maybe I don't even need to finish it. The answer is no, though. I'm sorry. 

[00:06:05] Shiloh: Is that chicken wings? 

[00:06:06] Fina: Yes, it's like I don't even know how to describe it. Like you just have to be from the DMV to know it's like this Specific type of sauce. Yeah that you dip with your fries and your wings that you get from like a chinese carryout store It's like a cultural significance.

[00:06:19] Love: I just don't i'm not a sauce person like I know this is very controversial. This is not the episode But yeah, I didn't even try ethiopian food I think ethiopian food is like really big too I didn't even I don't, I was stuck on this one restaurant called Bronze. It's like an Afrofuturism restaurant in DC that was gorgeous.

[00:06:40] Every aspect of the restaurant was gorgeous. The food was amazing. I just went back several times and didn't do anything else. 

[00:06:46] Fina: Yeah, the DMV is definitely a malting pot of like, several different cultures. So I'm surprised you didn't try anything new. 

[00:06:52] Love: And it was nice that there were so many other Spelmanites in DC too. That was another thing I was really grateful for. Because there was definitely not any other [00:07:00] HBCU person at my internship. So to know that there were other Spelmanites in DC was very comforting. 

[00:07:05] Shiloh: Oh, that's nice. 

[00:07:06] Fina: Shout out the DMV again, y'all. But this summer, I had the amazing opportunity of studying in Paris, France with Cornell Law School. Shout out my Not too much. I know. Okay, not too much. Don't play with me. shout out my lovely Paris group, Jordan, Kasaya, David, and Morgan. I love y'all so much and I definitely miss Paris. So this summer, I basically took three law school courses and I got to like actually like sit in a law school class. I got to speak to like Cornell law school professors about like what law school actually is how to prepare for my LSAT.

[00:07:38] I actually took like two law school exams. It wasn't even that bad. Wow. So it made me more. 

[00:07:43] Shiloh: Exams? Right. The actual tests? 

[00:07:44] Fina: Yes, like actual law school exams, and I got an A in the course. That's a lot. Yeah. Oh, I love this for you. I know. I'm so excited for law school. Studying for my LSAT in January.

[00:07:56] Had an amazing experience in Paris overall, definitely learned a lot studying [00:08:00] abroad, away from my parents. And just like the people that I went with were like, an amazing experience. Like, those are now my lifelong friends. Cause we went through like a whole milestone, a whole core memory together that I can't let go of.

[00:08:12] Love: International experience.

[00:08:14] Fina: Exactly, international experience with like, internationally educated people. I loved it, it was an amazing 

[00:08:19] opportunity. 

[00:08:20] Love: That makes me really happy to hear because... Next summer, I want to participate in a graduate school prep program because I'm interested in a master in public policy, and not a lot of, we're going to get into this, but like, you know, at Spelman, when you are a political science major, often you're pre law, you probably want to go into big law, so for me to have an interest in an MPP, I feel like I kind of have to forge my own path. So, I'm really excited to have a cohort of students where I'm taking classes. Right. That's exciting. I just, I love that. How did you find out about? 

[00:08:55] Fina: So, I got an email. about like the opportunity and [00:09:00] I applied and I really didn't even think I was going to get it. I was like, this is a long shot. I'm going to just apply anyways.

[00:09:04] And so I applied. I got an email saying I got acceptance. I was like, Oh my God, wait, Cornell Law School. This is crazy. That's amazing. I know, right? It was such an amazing opportunity. And then after I got the acceptance, I had to go through like the financial stuff of like paying and stuff like that.

[00:09:19] Obviously Spelman, specifically the social justice program. Shout out Dr. Spence. Shout out always. Shout out Dr. Spence. It's definitely helped fund me going and studying abroad with the whole experience. And then my overall favorite thing was definitely the people that I went with. I definitely learned a lot from them, definitely built new bonds.

[00:09:37] And then also understanding that, like, I would not have this opportunity unless I went to Spelman. Cause like when we went, like the other students came from other Ivy League institutions and like there was one more house man, shout out David. And then there was four Spelman girls. So You know, out of 20, like I want to say 20, 30 students. So majority of the students came from Spelman. Wow. Definitely an amazing 

[00:09:59] [00:10:00] opportunity.

[00:10:00] Love: I love that. You know, around 60 percent of graduates from Spelman have a full time job placement when they leave. Around 20 percent of them go into graduate school. I really love that the social justice program was able to support you going. And that's one thing about opportunities at Spelman. Sometimes when an opportunity comes along, it's almost as if you have to be in the exact right place, at the exact right time, so that the person who can help you is right in front of you. and it's so important and vital to make connections with people on campus. Even if you're not a part of, say, a social justice program, an honors program. You can make friends with people who work in offices across campus. You can make friends with professors individually without being a part of this program. Half of the time, professors don't even remember who is in or not in the programs that they oversee. So, you know, go out of [00:11:00] your way to make those connections so that when opportunities come along, you have someone. In your corner who can support you because if dr. Spence weren't there it would have been a whole different situation in terms of trying to get to Paris. Yeah.

[00:11:16] Fina: She definitely helped a lot and she was definitely an angel in the moment, because like, yes, my parents were able to fund it, but I really didn't want them to knowing that like, it was just like a lot financially.

[00:11:29] And so Dr. Spence coming to her about this opportunity, she was like, Oh, I'd love to like help you with this. Let me know if there's anything I could do. Like the social justice program will love to help you with this. And I'm just like, yes, you're a blessing. 

[00:11:42] Shiloh: I also definitely agree with what you were saying about being at the right place at the right time. Because before, like, at the end of last year, I didn't have anything lined up. Like, I was really stressed about not having an internship, like having to go back home, not really doing anything, or feeling like I'm not doing anything. and then Dr. Hite sent this opportunity through the Honors Program. And [00:12:00] that's how I found out about Bessemer and the, marketing role and everything. So, super grateful for that because I was feeling very stressed about not having something lined up. 

[00:12:08] Love: Yeah. You just have to stay tapped in. You really have to check that email. I said here's my resume. Here's my resume. Like, when they say get on your Zoom, this is what they mean. Because so 

[00:12:20] Fina: many are full with opportunities.

[00:12:23] So many, you just have to take advantage. 

[00:12:24] Love: And when those opportunities don't get used, like, programs close. When students don't apply, these companies don't want to continue to invest. So, take that opportunity for yourself and open that opportunity for the next person. I had so many people, I had someone, literally, I looked in my DMs today, someone DMed me a year ago and was like, Hey, I interned at Mercy Corps a few years ago, I'm going to share this with my network.

[00:12:49] I didn't even see, like, you know, I didn't even see the DM, but people are just going out of their way to say like, I want to help you, I want to support you, so find those people, advocate for [00:13:00] yourself, we'll get back to that. Did you know that around 60 percent of graduates leave Spelman with a full time job placement and around 20 percent of them go straight into graduate school?

[00:13:11] Fina: Mmm. Okay, shout out to Spelman, number one HBCU for 17 consecutive years for a reason. No, I 

[00:13:18] Love: didn't know that. 60 percent feels real good. It does. It does. Sometimes I do get daunted. Especially when it comes to my specific field of interest, like I'm interested in food policy as a political science major.

[00:13:33] There's no one else who's interested in food policy that I've met, and I talk about it in every class, so I'd have to know them. I get scared. Where am I going to work? What am I going to do post Spellman? You know, I'm a professional student right now. I don't really know how to move on to the next step.

[00:13:52] But being at Spellman makes you feel secure that you are going to have job security.[00:14:00] it's just kind of about like playing it in the right... Way. I think Spelman does a really great job about hosting companies at the school to talk to students about what goes on there. Like Google was just here recently and there's always a career fair going on, whether it's a graduate school fair or a career fair, specific to, you know, stem, et cetera.

[00:14:23] It's really always like literally this morning there was something that got emailed out like an hour before it started happening, like nine. Federal companies were here. 

[00:14:32] Fina: I know. I seen that. I was like, wow. And then I also recently got an email about more study abroad opportunities coming from Milligan.

[00:14:39] And like all the internships that they have available for like, not only this summer, but like this winter coming up. 

[00:14:44] Love: Exactly. There's always something coming up. Always something to do. 

[00:14:48] Shiloh: I just got that study abroad email. I kind of want to apply. For Barcelona. You should. You should. You definitely should. I 

[00:14:58] Love: that's where Alexandra is right now. She's [00:15:00] enjoying it. 

[00:15:00] Shiloh: I know, she did say she was enjoying it. 

[00:15:03] Love: And see, that's the point about connections. Like, now you know someone who's doing exactly what you want to do. That's your connect. She can walk you through the whole thing. Speaking of the Office of Career Planning and Development, I just want to give a quick shout out to the Office of Career Planning and Development and the Student Success Program.

[00:15:22] Fina: Yes, big shout out to them. 

[00:15:24] Love: When I say... Anointed? I mean, God really put the people in those offices there to do their job. And they do it. Like, something about being at Spelman is that you're not just learning how to be an incredible scholar. You're not just learning how to navigate the world by coming to Atlanta.

[00:15:49] It also forces you to learn to be your own advocate. And one of the ways you can learn to do it [00:16:00] in a low risk, low stakes environment is by walking into the Milligan Building behind the suites and talking to someone at the Student Success Program or the Office of Career Planning and Development because they want to get to know students.

[00:16:15] They want to get to know your interests. They want to get to know your dreams. Because it's literally their job to help you create a like 10 step plan to your dreams. That's what they get paid for. That's why they're on campus every day. They come to campus to do this. So, please know that even though The opportunities can feel very overwhelming.

[00:16:39] We just mentioned, like, seven different emails in the span of two minutes. It can feel overwhelming, but there are people here who can help you sift out all of these things. You know, Dr. Ruth Simmons was here today, hosted by President Gayle, for the conversations in the C suite. She said, [00:17:00] people can want to help you just because they are the right people to do that.

[00:17:05] And I really immediately thought of the Student Success Program. I thought of Miss Brandy Reese, who has always been very kind and helpful to me. Every time I go in, they're stressed about my degree works. She's like, okay, Love, let's sit down. She's so sweet. Like, I love her, you know, that's her job. And they love their job.

[00:17:25] Fina: Speaking of, student success, shout out Dr. Lewis. I love Dr. Lewis. Like, I go to Dr. Lewis office. I haven't went frequently just because junior year has just been junior year. But, every time I do go, it doesn't even have to be about, like, my life at Spelman or academics. It could be about anything. Like, last time I went in her office, we were talking about her trip to Ghana and how she's excited for that.

[00:17:50] And it's just like, candid conversations that I can have with her. And I feel like the whole point of student success is bigger than just helping you with academics or like, your life outside of Spelman. But it's really [00:18:00] like, what do you need right now to be successful? And sometimes, in that moment, I just need a conversation about what country we want to travel to.

[00:18:06] And I feel like she's just an amazing person, so sweet, so kind hearted, so shout out to Dr. Lewis. 

[00:18:11] Shiloh: Yes, and I would shout out Miss Brandy Reese again. I recently just started a new role as an ADW tutor in the Student Success Program. Oh, yes. highly recommend. I actually really like tutoring. Thank you. but she's been great so far, like, we had our little tutor check in, and she was literally just like, I want to sit down and make sure that the tutors are okay, too.

[00:18:31] You know, like, because we're helping other students, and she was like, How are you doing? Like, how's your course load? How are you doing with internships, fellowships, things like that? And so her just really showing that she cares about not only how I'm doing as a tutor, but also how I'm doing mentally and, academically and everything.

[00:18:48] It was... It was super nice, and I appreciate her. 

[00:18:51] Fina: Shout out Student Success! 

[00:18:53] Love: Before we move on, I wanted to bring back into the conversation this idea that [00:19:00] there are some students who are really catered to when it comes to the career affairs, like Pre law students and pre med students seems like there's something for them every week, which is not a problem.

[00:19:13] There's a lot of those students here, and I'm very grateful for them that they have those opportunities. But other fields of study do, I know, feel anxiety about like not having opportunities presented to them all the time, like the fine arts students, 

[00:19:31] Fina: theater and performance, all of those majors. I would definitely say as a pre law As a poli sci major on the pre law track, I definitely receive a lot of opportunities from Spelman and have been so fortunate enough to like, study abroad, to do internships with local law firms and things of that nature.

[00:19:49] But I'm also in conversations with my friends who are more into the fine arts, more into like the business aspects of life. And I can definitely see that, like, when we have, like, these career fairs, [00:20:00] I can go talk to these law firms and they can tell me about law school and stuff like that and, like, graduate programs that are catered to, like, studying political science.

[00:20:07] But when it's, like, my friends who are interested in fashion, design, and marketing, it's definitely way harder for them. And I feel like Spelman is very, they have a hyper focus on putting black women in STEM and then putting black women in, like, corporate. C suite. Yeah. Right. 

[00:20:22] Love: Exactly. Which, again, isn't a problem.

[00:20:26] If you're listening, please do not stop doing that. Don't stop! But, you know, what about these other students? Right. Because for some of these fine arts students, they haven't even had a dedicated building their entire time at Spelman. So do they feel, like, valued and do they actually feel like someone's looking out for them?

[00:20:47] Right. Also, I feel like having all of these big companies come. Really silos everybody into one, [00:21:00] like, field of career, and we're employing people, and that's great, but how diverse is that employment? And, I don't know, like, I don't really know what can be done. I mean, I guess it would have been wise to bring somebody on from one of these offices.

[00:21:24] Shiloh: Yeah, I know that you were talking a little bit about theater and performance. I had a friend who was a theater and performance major, and she actually recently switched her major to computer science because she felt like there were just no opportunities that she was getting. She feels like the theater and performance majors just kind of not what she was expecting in terms of how much funding and support that they get.

[00:21:45] and so I feel like. It's pretty unfortunate that she had to switch out of something that she's passionate about in order to feel more secure for like post grad or just even for summers, you know what I'm saying, like summer opportunities. so I [00:22:00] think that's really unfortunate. And then for me as an English major, I think it is really difficult for English majors that want to go into maybe writing or like, what's another English major?

[00:22:11] Like screenwriting or, editing. Editing. Yeah. Because I am more corporate leaning, like I know that I want to go into corporate marketing right now, at least as like a launching point, and then eventually get my MBA. Okay. Yes. Yes. Yes, that's the plan as of right now. but it's hard because we talk about this a lot in my English classes for the people who are not wanting to go into corporate careers.

[00:22:36] They feel like they're not necessarily being seen or being supported in the same ways, especially at these career fairs. and so. I do think it's really unfortunate, and I wish I could think of a, like, more instant solution. 

[00:22:49] Fina: Yeah, I'll definitely say, fun fact about me, I used to be a double minor in theater and performance and writing.

[00:22:54] And I actually dropped my theater and performance minor because I took a lot of classes, I love the [00:23:00] whole department, a lot of my favorite classes were within that department, but it was just like, they just didn't have a lot of, The connections and opportunities that PolySci had. And just like, cause if you asked me like five years ago, you know, what do you want to be when you grow up?

[00:23:16] I would have said I want to be on TV. So that's exactly why I wanted to minor in theater and performance. And then also understanding like they don't have their own building. So we were in the Science Center, we were in Giles, like we were just in like vast areas that had nothing to do with theater and performance.

[00:23:31] And so I'm really thankful that they're actually like building this new building. For the innovation building for like more business people who are interested in that and then also like the theater and performance building is being like rebuilt and stuff. So hopefully that all comes to pass. I know fall 2024 is when they're all supposed to open.

[00:23:48] but praying that it comes to pass because we really need some opportunities for my oldest mom and sisters.

[00:23:54] Love: It be really scary, like, coming to college, knowing you're leaving [00:24:00] with a degree and just having no... Just no concept of what you could even do. I think, again, like, that's where the reinforcement of, like, connections and community is, like, so important.

[00:24:15] Knowing that Spelman alumni want to speak to us, like, we need to really take advantage of that because otherwise there's just no direction. 

[00:24:24] Shiloh: Yes, I will also say like going back to connections and really making sure you're reaching out to those people who are willing to support you. I love the English department like, It's my one of my favorite things about Spelman like since I've been here.

[00:24:38] I started out as a Poli Sci major and I feel so supported in English like nothing against Poli Sci. 

[00:24:45] Love: That's a whole nother episode. 

[00:24:47] Shiloh: Nothing against Poli Sci, but I feel like the English department fits me a lot better. And so I will say shout out to Dr. Nadler, because he sends out a lot of opportunities for people who, we kind of spoke about earlier who may not be as supported at those career [00:25:00] fairs.

[00:25:00] Fina: Even I get his emails. 

[00:25:01] Shiloh: No, literally, like he's on the blast every single day. Every day. so I really appreciate him. And then also. Sophomore English majors are required to take an English seminar class and that's all focused on like designing your life And it's kind of like our Braven And we will get into Braven a bit later, But I feel like that English seminar class is really helpful for sophomores too who may want to go into those like screenwriting or editing because It allows you to see that you don't have to be pushed into that C suite, and it allows you to see that your dreams and your aspirations are equally as valued.

[00:25:41] Love: Let's talk about braving. 

[00:25:45] Fina: Let's please talk about braving. Deep sigh. 

[00:25:51] Love: We really just need to take a moment of silence. So, for those who don't know, Braven is a career prep [00:26:00] class that Spellman recently indoctrinated into the curriculum. I think it started my year, or maybe 2021. I'm not, I don't even remember.

[00:26:13] I did not have a good Braven experience. I'm just going to start off bat by saying that outright. you know, as I've mentioned, I have an unconventional interest, which is food policy. but I'm a food studies minor, and at the time I was taking Braven, I was just like, oh, I want to farm. Period. I just want to farm.

[00:26:35] That is my, that will be my job. Which is still a part of the plan, but, you know. My lady. What are they called? My... 

[00:26:46] Fina: The leadership coach? 

[00:26:48] Love: My braven leadership coach. Leadership coach. Ugh. I forgot that's what they were called. 

[00:26:52] Fina: I know, whole different names. 

[00:26:54] Love: She had us all, like the group. Everybody say what they wanted to do [00:27:00] as their career.

[00:27:00] And when I said mine, she laughed. Like, genuine laugh from her belly. It was a chuckle. It was more than a chuckle. It was a guffaw? Yes, that is the best word to describe it. I didn't want to say cackle. A guffaw is perfect. Oh my goodness. And I was so offended. No way, you just laughed at my career goals? I'm a sophomore in college!

[00:27:26] Like, I just turned 20 probably. Like, how are we... What are we doing here? What are we doing? I just felt like that was very unprofessional. And, you know, I understand that we're students, but we have rights. Like, we have a right to be treated like an adult. Like a cognizant human being. So, to be laughed at...

[00:27:49] Very dismissive. 

[00:27:50] Fina: Very diminishing. 

[00:27:51] Love: I just stopped going to class, child. I just stopped going to class. Cause no way you're going to disrespect my career interests and then tell [00:28:00] me how I'm going to achieve it. Exactly. So, my takeaway? Let's replace Braven. I

[00:28:09] Fina: agree. my experience with Braven is like, yes, I do want to be a lawyer and that involves a lot of like, corporations and stuff like that.

[00:28:17] But I just feel like Braven was not suitable for me because at the start of my fall semester freshman year, I was still a theater performance minor. And I was really more interested in like just being on TV, period. Like, just being on TV. That's what I really wanted to do. And so, yes, my resume was fully locked and loaded.

[00:28:36] But it was like, even when I gave in, my, like, gave them my resume for them to look over, she was like, this is not good enough. I remember my leadership coach telling me that. And so it's like, I just did not have a good experience with Braven. And the way she graded my resume, I was not a fan of. And my resume has gotten me into several places.

[00:28:55] So it's like, it wasn't my resume. Might have been you baby, but[00:29:00] 

[00:29:02] But yeah, I definitely see like the concept of Braven being so important but let Braven cater to all students like it should not just be Corporations, and we should also look into who we're hiring to be our leadership coaches because if you're going to be a leadership coach actually lead with diligence, patience, and grace, you shouldn't be laughing at somebody just because you want to be a farmer.

[00:29:23] Love, be a farmer. Who's there to stop you? Be a farmer. 

[00:29:26] Love: Like, I just. The fact that somebody contracted by the school took me less seriously than somebody in the Office of Career Planning and Development would have just is very confusing. Very confusing. Because that's a waste of money on Spelman's end.

[00:29:42] Fina: Ultimately, yeah. And then also, it's like, Braven is virtual, so you're on Zoom from 6 to 8, that's very daunting. And as a Spellman, I feel very daunted by that fight. 

[00:29:53] Shiloh: Like, it's very long. Very long. And then the caf, ours were very early as well, so there would be days that we would [00:30:00] not eat. 

[00:30:00] Fina: Right, because we have to sit in front of a camera with...

[00:30:04] Shiloh: They said have your cameras on. 

[00:30:05] Fina: I was just about to say, I feel like there's a disconnect in this class because it's supposed to be something impactful, but it's not even just like the disconnect from like it being through zoom.

[00:30:12] That's daunting, but it's also the hours we're talking from six to eight. Yeah. What are we really talking about?

[00:30:19] Love: Y'all are just so many things. This is a common theme that I'm probably going to bring up on the podcast like several times this year. Some things are just not comprehensively thought through.

[00:30:31] And it's so evident. Like, for a STEM student to have a six to eight class every week. I just, I mean, as a freshman, that's a lot. Or is it a freshman? Sophomore. As a sophomore. I mean, some people barely made it out their freshman year. Why are you adding on to class? That some people won't even, like, some people can leave Spelman [00:31:00] never having taken a class that late if it wasn't for Braven.

[00:31:02] Fina: Literally. Literally. Honestly. Me. 

[00:31:05] Love: Right? Me. So, I just, I don't know. It, you know. 

[00:31:09] Shiloh: I think. I see where they were going. I see the vision. 

[00:31:13] Love: Of course, I saw the vision. Saw the vision. I mean, we always see the vision, right? 

[00:31:16] Shiloh: It just, but the execution executed, right? It wasn't the ex, the execution did, 

[00:31:19] Love: and it really, I really can't even blame Spelman.

[00:31:21] I blame Braven. 

[00:31:22] Fina: I blame Braven as a whole. 

[00:31:24] Shiloh: I think this could have been a lot better thought out. Like you said, like. People should have been, even if they were broken up based on their career aspirations. That would make more sense. Then assign a leadership coach to each of those groups. Because then maybe people would be able to get a little bit more out of it.

[00:31:41] I know a lot of people felt like they were being pushed into C suite positions from Raven because it was all corporate leadership. from like consulting firms and what were some of the other firms? 

[00:31:51] Fina: So many. And I will definitely say like Braven did play a huge role into why I dropped theater & performance apart from like, there's like a [00:32:00] lack of like resources within that department, which is completely not their fault.

[00:32:03] Right. But it was just like the whole, like you need to be a corporate lawyer in order to actually make money in order to actually be successful. Like you need to have a B and C rather than D E & F. You know what I'm saying? Right. And so just the structure that Braven has you in is definitely not befitting to students who don't even want to do that.

[00:32:21] Shiloh: And I know at that time, I think I was still a poly side major and I was very focused on like nonprofit advocacy and like nonprofit work. And so I was just kind of a little bit confused when I was, I felt like I was selling my soul already. That's kind of what it felt like. Yeah. But. 

[00:32:39] Love: Wow. That's so real. That's so real. 

[00:32:42] Shiloh: Actually, let me not put it so negatively, but I mean, yeah, it kind of just felt like I was being pushed into something that I didn't necessarily sign up for because I didn't realize that it was very like C suite heavy. And now that is something that I'm kind of trying to [00:33:00] wanting to go into because I see it as a starting point for myself. and then eventually transitioning into more nonprofit work, but.

[00:33:07] Yeah, I don't think I was prepared for it to be set up that way. 

[00:33:12] Love: Right, right, and I think Like, why is it 6 to 8? No, why is it 6 to 8? 

[00:33:20] Because why is it 2 hours long? Like, what are you doing for 2 hours 

[00:33:23] Fina: In the evening, like, it's just too long. Like, we're in college. From 6 to 8, I'm taking a nap, eating, hanging out with my friends.

[00:33:32] Like, I'm detoxing from all the classes I took throughout that day. It was just a lot. But we're not bashing Braven. We're just giving critiques on what could be better through our experiences. So that, cause we see the vision of Braven and how like it could be a really good thing. But it's important for y'all to know like this is what happened.

[00:33:50] These are our experiences and for the next generation, let's do better. 

[00:33:53] Love: Yeah, I think it's just important to be critical because I think that Spellman brought Braven in because [00:34:00] they are minority owned and led. They are a mainly minority. And I think that everyone was just like, yay, like, you know, like, you know, they just didn't think beyond that, like, they just like, yes, black people doing career development, let's put them in like, right. And I just, I do not feel like they're, I don't know, I just, I don't think that's the way that classes are normally brought into an academic space. It's just like, I think they. Just kind of, it just feels forced. It just always felt forced. 

[00:34:40] Shiloh: Maybe there should have been like a survey released to see if students really have a need for something like this or would benefit from a structure like this.

[00:34:46] Love: Right. Because obviously students, there are some students who need support with their resumes and with their writing skills. But 

[00:34:55] Shiloh: I think that part was, I don't think that part was too bad. 

[00:34:57] Love: Right. But how can we [00:35:00] Be concise because we don't need to drag it out like from six to eight 

[00:35:08] Fina: And then 6 8 on hump Wednesday as a college student.

[00:35:13] They said you guys aren't going to the concert. Exactly, 

[00:35:14] they said you guys aren't going to the concert. Imagine, imagine. I don't have to imagine. 

[00:35:18] No, that actually happened to me last year. It actually happened to me. It actually happened to me last year. I actually had Braven the night of Neo Soul. 

[00:35:25] Shiloh: No, me as well. 

[00:35:27] Love: During hump, No, baby. I'm with you. That didn't occur. 

[00:35:32] Shiloh: I came a little late. I saw him performing, dancing around. 

[00:35:36] Fina: Me and my friends, we definitely pulled up late. Because we had mock interviews that night. I remember. We did, and they said you can't miss. They said you can't miss. They said this can't be camera.

[00:35:44] Yes, 

[00:35:44] that's what 

[00:35:45] Love: they said. Yes. Like what kind of class structure is that? That is threatening and scary and I don't 

[00:35:50] Fina: like it. Exactly. The sun's going down and I'm sitting in front of a zoom from six to eight. What's really going on? like, I don't like that. 

[00:35:56] I was like trying to get ready right after the call.

[00:35:58] I know [00:36:00] like, 

[00:36:00] and they said business casual. I had all my concert outfit looking in front of the Zoom , like I'm gonna go see NeYo. See Like, it just was not the time. 

[00:36:07] Love: Like they need to set us up for success. That was not setting us up for success 

[00:36:12] Fina: at all. At all, but I mean,

[00:36:16] Shiloh: I know we kind of talked, we kind of criticized Braben for a little bit, but do you guys think that there's any aspects of it that can be effective career prep?

[00:36:24] Fina: For sure. Like helping students plan out their resumes, having those mock interviews, like those are important aspects that students specifically at Spelman definitely need in order to carry on to like their future aspirations. But again, like I just feel like the execution wasn't just. Properly done.

[00:36:40] Well, I feel like it could have been done so much better. Like you should have thought through a college kids perspective. Would you sit in front of a zoom from six to eight on hump Wednesday? Yeah. During meals. Oh, like, 

[00:36:57] Love: but I think that also [00:37:00] it didn't need to be braven. Like resume, resume work and just workshopping your career plan.

[00:37:10] Yo, my P.A.L could have been trained in that, and that could have been a P.A.L Tuesday and the other week. Like, why did you guys need to contract the entire company to the 

[00:37:23] Shiloh: student success program, because I know they have study group leads, and that's supposed to be like, I don't know if that's more tied towards homework, but that could be something that they could help with, too.

[00:37:32] Fina: And then I feel like that, in itself, like those two ideas foster sisterhood and community at Spelman. Exactly. Without having to, like, bring in other corporations and, like, just spend so much money that could be put towards our scholarship fund. 

[00:37:43] Love: Now there's resentment because the leadership coach thinks that one girl's career is the most important career is, laughable.

[00:37:53] Fina: Exactly. But yeah, Braven could have been, it could have been so much better. And I honestly, I was just sitting here thinking to myself, what [00:38:00] did I really learn from Braven? Y'all, I'm really trying to figure out what did I really learn from Braven that I didn't learn from Dr. Waldemarian and like my professors that set me aside and said your resume should look like this if you're interested in law school.

[00:38:12] Like, what did I really take on from Braven? Like, I remember having to do those modules every Sunday night. 

[00:38:18] Shiloh: The modules were so annoying. You know what? If they wanted Braven to be more effective, I feel like even making us go to the mock interviews, doing the resume, resume workshop, doing the LinkedIn workshop, it could have just been that.

[00:38:30] And not the modules, because the modules literally took five minutes to like, click through. I don't really know what I was learning from the modules. I also think that, I mentioned earlier that sophomore English majors have a seminar class. Even something like that. Right. For like, for each major. Because in that class, we're learning how to design our life according to how we want the English major to work for us, like what we want to do post grad.

[00:38:55] And I feel like it would be so helpful to have that for each of the majors. 

[00:38:59] Love: You [00:39:00] know, maybe it means a more robust advising situation because I know there's a specific advisor in my department who everybody's like, I need another professor to do this because this professor, like, you know. If we really made sure that the professors who advised and we love him, but it's okay.

[00:39:21] It's okay. Love everybody at Spelman. I love the entire political science department. I'm going to just say that from the bottom of my heart. Period. Love PoliSci. I love them. Love English. Shout out but Anyway, you know, if everybody's advisement were ensured to be great The advisor can look over your resume.

[00:39:39] The advisor can talk about the classes you need to take. That's really important. Like, for the political science department, people don't even know that you can have a concentration. 

[00:39:48] Fina: I know, right? People don't know that. Why do you not know? I didn't know that at all. 

[00:39:51] Shiloh: I didn't know that when I was a polysci major. 

[00:39:53] Fina: I just found out right now. 

[00:39:54] Love: That affects your course sequence. Yeah. Like that, you know, ensures that you're taking classes that relate to something that [00:40:00] you care about. Right. So now you're in class complaining that you don't care about what you're learning, but you didn't know that you could take classes that you cared about.

[00:40:08] Like that's not... Anyone's fault, but your own at that point like this is bringing us back to that You have to advocate for yourself like you just have to be on top of your zoom 

[00:40:17] Fina: You have to be on your zoom at 5 p. m. you gotta be on your Zoom. At 6 p. m. to 8 p. m. 6 

[00:40:26] to 8 you really gotta be on the Zoom. 

[00:40:28] Shiloh: Oh, I can't do those hours.

[00:40:30] Fina: I can't, y'all. I could not do those hours. I was sitting there literally crying like, I just wanna take a nap. I wanna go get something to eat. 

[00:40:37] Shiloh: I did, okay, something positive. I actually did have a really good leadership coach, though. Okay, that's beneficial. She was a Spelman alum, too. Oh, that's amazing. Yes.

[00:40:45] So I feel like my experience was a little bit different. Because I did. 

[00:40:49] Fina: Oh, that makes it worse. 

[00:40:53] Love: No, that did make it worse. Yeah. That did make it worse. But, [00:41:00] again, you know, it's okay. It's okay. You can't let these experiences end you. That's another key takeaway. Cause I could still be mad. And I am. But, I'm not gonna let it stop me from moving on to my next internship.

[00:41:15] I didn't let it stop me from making my LinkedIn and my resume look great. You know, sometimes people don't want to support your dream. You have to make your own opportunities. Like, that's what being here at Spelman is about. It's about making that opportunity your own. Every single time. That's how you become distinctive.

[00:41:36] And that's how you get chosen for the next opportunity. 

[00:41:39] Fina: Every single time. Shout out to number one HBCU for 17 consecutive years. You for that. You know I'm going to bring that up every time. Period. 

[00:41:50] Love: Hey, if you're listening to this, I know we've said it a few times, but please do stop by that Milligan building. Check in with the Student Success Program and the Office of Career Planning and [00:42:00] Development because they do want to help you.

[00:42:02] Reach out to Spelman alumna that inspire you. I promise that they probably, nine times out of ten, will respond to your DM on Instagram if you DM them and say, Oh my god, you inspire me so much. Can you tell me how you like it? 

[00:42:14] Fina: yes, coffee time. Right, I love it. 

[00:42:17] Love: It's worth it. It's worth your time. It's worth feeling scared about it for a second.

[00:42:22] But, once you get that information, you locked in. 

[00:42:27] Fina: Again, shout out the number one HBCU for 17 consecutive years. 

[00:42:33] Love: Yeah, remember where you are. You're not here for no reason. 

[00:42:37] Fina: Remember where you are. And then also, I always like to use the statistics at Selman College. There's currently 2, 350 students at Spelman.

[00:42:45] We had like over 13, 000 applications last year. We have 828 freshmen right now. Very selective, very competitive to get into Spelman College. Our minimum average GPA is a 3. 9. You're here for a reason. Take [00:43:00] advantage. 

[00:43:00] Love: That's the average GPA? 

[00:43:02] Fina: Yes. Average GPA. 

[00:43:05] Love: Where are the stats from? I'm like, what students 

[00:43:10] Fina: I'm an ambassador. Shout out the student ambassador program. 

[00:43:14] Shiloh: Period. You're an ambassador.

[00:43:14] Fina: That's why I just know so many random facts about Spelman. That's amazing. I know. Shout out Spelman, really, because we're a very competitive institution. So, if you're here, you're here for a reason.

[00:43:23] Make the most of it. Exactly. Make the most of it. 

[00:43:27] Love: When we dropped the post for this episode on our Instagram, at the blue record. Please be sure to drop your career aspirations because you might just find someone who has one similar to yours. And you guys may just start a company or something crazy like that.

[00:43:40] You know, you never know. Spelman alumni are so strong. 

[00:43:43] Shiloh: Generational wealth.

[00:43:47] Love: That's another opportunity. There we go through an opportunity, be sure to follow us on all socials at the blue record, check out our website, the blue record podcast. com for our blog and lots of other lovely [00:44:00] information. If you'd like, leave us a voicemail and a link tree on our Instagram and be sure to listen to us next time.

[00:44:06] Fina: Yes, we love you guys. Love you guys.