Mission

This conference provides University of Delaware undergraduates from underrepresented groups and all ethnic backgrounds across all majors an excellent opportunity to hear from dynamic speakers, meet alumni, network with employers, and find internships as well as full-time and part-time jobs.  Designed to engage students before graduation as they begin to plan and pursue fulfilling careers, this conference connects students with the resources, alumni, and employers to help them reach those goals.

With a growing number of organizations interested in recruiting diverse talent, we have expanded the employer networking portion of the program into a Diversity Career Fair and Networking Event.  With a full schedule of alumni panel discussions, keynote presentation, lunch, and career fair the 2012 Multi-Ethnic Career Development Conference is slated to attract over 250 student attendees.

History

Twenty four years ago, Ms. Deborah Wailes, Assistant Director at the Career Services Center, was joined by two sophomore students in attending a conference at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.  Sponsored by the Council on Career Development for Minorities, Inc., the conference instilled the concept of a developmental program to emphasize the special needs and concerns of minority students entering the workforce.  The Mobil Oil Corporation was responsible for funding the council and a Senior Vice President at Mobil, Mr. Robert W. Brocksbank, chaired it for many years.

Over the course of the program, a wide range of speakers have offered their advice and encouragement to students:

• Mr. William Gray, III - past Chair of the House Budget Committee and past President of the United Negro College Fund
• Mr. George Davis - author of Black Life in Corporate America
• Ms. Beatryce Nivens - author of The Black Woman’s Career Guide
• The late Dr. Zenobia L. Hikes, past Vice President for Student Affairs at Virginia Tech
• S. Renee Smith, President of SRS Productions, Inc.
• Bonnie St. John, Olympic medalist and author of "Live Your Joy"
• M. Andre Buck II, Attorney and Sports Agent for CAA Sports
• Honorable Velda Jones-Potter, Treasurer for the State of Delaware and University of Delaware Alum
• Joyce Dungee Proctor, Managing Director of Integrity Career Transitions and President of Seminars by Joyce
• Dominique Dawes, Olympic gold medalist, motivational speaker, gymnastics coach, spokesperson and media analyst
• and many others including this year's keynote - Justin Jones-Fosu!

Students - Your challenge is to start your career plans now

• Prepare to talk with UD seniors about their experiences and learn how to succeed academically and prepare for careers after college. 
• Get ready for an advanced degree by learning the steps you need to take to prepare for graduate school.
• Interact with UD alumni and get ideas on how to improve your competitiveness before you graduate.  
• Network with employers who are interested in hiring you for jobs and internships.