The Center for Career Development and Professional Development of the Central University of NC (CPDC) is the one -stop shop on the campus to build a bridge between students and their future career.
“The work of CPDC is to educate, empower and employ students, teachers, staff and community partners,” said deputy director of experiential learning Byron Dickey.
Located in the New Student Center, the CPCD is led by director Charles Jennings and six professional staff: deputy director Jamaal Bowden, Dickey, deputy director of relations with employers Monica Stuckey, coordinator of relations with employers Chaz Glenn and administrative support Jennifer Brown.
According to CPCD, their expertise includes students' commitment and marketing, vocational education, network exhibition, event planning and budgeting.
CPDC has 12 EAGLE in career officers (CEO), employee students who work in career development and marketing, as well as a trainee advisor in training.
This team includes Brayden Smith, a second year student of the NCCU who is the NCCU ambassador of Thurgood Marshall College Fund Yard.
“They are divided into two groups, so six realize the side of career development,” said Dickey. “They can make motivation letters, preparation interviews, development of curriculum vitae, workshops and training.
CPCD offers “technological tools” accessible to students, teachers and staff. According to Dickey, the center uses Handshake, an online management system, to share events, job opportunities and send mass emails to graduate and first cycle students.
An additional tool includes the Eagle Express stand.
“The NCCU is the first historically black college of Caroline du Nord to provide a free professional photomaton making quality shots accessible to all students, staff and teachers,” said Dickey.
The resources provided by CPDC do not stop there.
2015-16 Ms. Nccu Kourtney Daniel-Robinson created the clutch closet, a project designed to provide students with professional outfit to the pinch. In the past decade, the closet has developed in addition, according to the center.
“It works like a shop where students can enter and leave with a whole outfit,” said Dickey. “We are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm”
Dickey also mentioned that Bowden is working on efforts to get more donations from clothing companies.
Similar to the other departments on the campus, the CPDC budget is based on the amount of money that the center has won the previous year.
“It changes, but we have seen an ascending mark in the past two years,” said Dickey.
According to the CPDC, they organize events and promotion opportunities that allow companies to buy tables and access students in job search.
As part of current leadership, the Center has considerably increased its commitment from students and employers and has acquired notable achievements.
“We have tripled our number of involvement and engagement on last year's campus,” said Dickey. “During our first event, we had around 827 students during our career.
Dickey also said that the R&B singer and songwriter K. Michelle, the actresses Erika Alexander and Kim Coles were some celebrities who interacted with CPDC.
At the NCCU 2025 student affairs division, CPDC was recognized as “department of the year”, according to the organization.
Dickey began his career with CPCD in February 2022 and is the second employee in the history of the NCCU to obtain a job of an internship on the campus.
“This work has chosen me,” he said.
Dickey is a double eagle with a BA in the world of music and a master's degree in counseling. He decided to stay near his home after the death of his father, but remained dedicated to a career in consultation.
Dickey did an internship with CPDC from May to November 2021 and completed 672 of the 600 hours of internship required.
“I started to build my list of customers and it just grew up from there,” said Dickey. “I am a person who needs structure, but I don't like doing the same thing every day and I understand with this work.”
For any student who does not know his post-graduate plans, Dickey recommends responding to help.
“Your community and your support system are stronger than you think,” he said. “I think that by seeking help and clarity on certain things, you will discover yourself, which suits you best and healthy practices.”
CPDC also organizes many events throughout each academic year, including curriculum vitae workshops, greater studies, career panels, business site, tabeling and career fairs.
Follow CPCD on Instagram, LinkedIn and Handshake on NCCUCPCD for more information.
