VCU news

By Malorie Burkett

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Career Center recently received a $25,000 Aid to Education grant from Philip Morris USA.

Given annually to colleges the company has worked with or from which it has recruited graduates, the grant will help the Career Center promote the development of future leaders in business and industry through a program titled “Career Challenge: Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders.”

The program is designed for students of all majors, and will feature workshops and activities that focus on resume preparation, leadership and motivation, etiquette, networking techniques and interview preparation as students prepare to embark on their careers. Motivational speakers and experts in career issues will facilitate seminars.

“I am delighted that we have developed such an excellent partnership with Philip Morris over the years and this grant gives us the resources we need to increase the visibility of the Career Center,” said Sue Story, director of the VCU Career Center. “This grant will help us to develop quality workshops to engage students in their career development and prepare them for leadership roles.”

VCU learned of the grant opportunity through Greg Moody, a Philip Morris USA employee and former VCU School of Engineering co-op student who contacted the VCU Career Center. Story and her team at the Career Center submitted the application materials and were selected to receive the $25,000 grant.

Debbie Weber, vice president and general manager at Philip Morris USA, presented Story with the gift during a ceremony attended by about 60 students and university dignitaries, including VCU President Eugene P. Trani.

Philip Morris USA representatives included Moody; Joseph Ngo, manager of business planning and analysis; and Charlie Agee, director of external affairs.

According to Story, more than 140 students have been employed as co-ops and interns with Philip Morris USA and many of those students have become full-time Philip Morris USA employees.

“We hope to involve some of our former students, who are now supervisors at Philip Morris, in more events such as our career fairs and networking receptions,” said Story. “These alums are excellent proponents of our co-op program, internship opportunities and could serve as mentors for our students.”

The VCU Career Center provides free services to students and recent alumni, including help in selecting a major, resume planning, interview strategies and locating internship and co-op opportunities. For more information about the VCU Career Center, visit http://www.students.vcu.edu/careers/.

Philip Morris USA is an operating company of Altria Group, Inc. Philip Morris USA offices and facilities include headquarters, manufacturing, processing and support facilities in the Richmond area.