Students learn to open career doors

ECSU sorority hosts social n etworking workshop

By Toby Tate
Staff Writer

Sunday, November 08, 2009

People who use Facebook, Twitter or MySpace may think these social networking sites are for just that — social networking. But for Camden High School senior Alicia McPherson, 17, it’s much more than that.

“These sites can open a lot of doors to people, especially if they’re trying to get jobs or just trying to show their face in a new community,” she said.

McPherson, along with fellow seniors and Debutantes from several local high schools, were on hand at Elizabeth City State University on Sunday to facilitate a social networking workshop for members of the local community.

The Zeta Kappa Omega chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority sponsored the event, which was one of many the Debutantes have been facilitating throughout the summer, McPherson said.

“My guidance counselor introduced

this to me, and it’s a great way for young ladies such as myself to get more of the understanding of what to do and what to expect when we go into the real world,” she said. “We go to numerous classes and we talk about how to dress up for a business interview, we learn business etiquette and a whole bunch of things.”

Janice Baker, foundation accounting manager for ECSU, who helped sponsor the workshop, said the event helps to bridge the technology gap between the youth and senior citizens.

“We decided we would have this workshop and invite senior citizens and thought we would have a great turnout on a Sunday,” she said.

Only about half a dozen people showed up for the workshop, however.

Baker said ECSU will host another workshop in the spring, as well.

“Hopefully we’ll have a better turnout,” she said.

Baker said the news about the social networking workshop was mostly advertised by word of mouth.

“We sent out e-mails, and there are seventy-some members of the sorority who told their friends and it was announced at churches,” she said. “We have a small budget, so we don’t do a lot in advertising. Most things are word of mouth and e-mail.”

Most of the seniors seemed eager to learn, but gravitated more towards setting up Facebook accounts than Twitter or MySpace accounts, according to several students.

Baker said the students were very anxious about doing the workshop.

“They’re a good group. The Debutante Ball for Elizabeth City has been around for 47 years,” she said. “It’s part of their Debutante experience. It provides an outstanding way to get scholarship money for school.”

Baker said most of the girls’ parents work so they don’t qualify for need-based aid.

“All of them might not be straight-A students, so that cuts them out of the merit-based scholarships,” she said. “So the only way is to get these Debutante scholarships.”

The students, most of whom will be attending state schools like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, also asked for donations from various businesses, Baker said.

“All of that money goes to them in terms of a scholarship,” she said. “The one who raises the most money will be crowned the queen of the Debutante Ball.”

Baker said the girls have also attended a series of workshops with more still to come.

“Everything from entrepreneurship to communications and branding,” she said. “Next week they’ll have their first waltz clinic — they’ll learn how to do the waltz.”

Baker said that the girls do get a little help from their parents, however.

“These girls go to school, they have senior projects, cheerleading, basketball teams, band — you name it. They’re a busy group of girls,” she said.