HBCU Students Share Their Internship Selection Process

Career Level: Basic-, intermediate-, and advanced-level career services and university relations and recruiting professionals
Competency: Working with diverse populations
Fee: FREE (member); FREE (nonmember);

Summary

HBCU students will share valuable insights on their internship experiences. From internship site selection to potentially becoming an employee and all the influential steps between, attendees will learn how these students prepared for their internships and their decisions throughout the process. For career services and talent engagement professionals interested in expanding their HBCU student internship toolkit, this is a must-attend event.
Presenters

Harold Bell, Director, Career Planning and Development, Spelman College
Harold Bell is currently serving his twenty-second year as the director of Spelman College’s Office of Career Planning and Development. His 30+-year background combines a unique blend of experiences including higher education, not-for-profit, and Fortune 500 companies. He holds both a master’s degree in adult and continuing education and a bachelor’s of business administration degree from the University of North Texas. He actively serves in his church, Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral, as a deacon; former ministry leader for Christian Education; and small group bible study facilitator. As director of career planning, his goal is to provide quality services and programs that produce highly skilled, competitive candidates for hiring organizations and graduate/professional schools.

Catrina DosReis, Director, Learning & Development, McKinney
Catrina DosReis, Ed.D., is a career and talent strategist known for her transformative impact on career development, recruiting, and workforce learning. With expertise in career coaching, training, and early talent programs, Dr. DosReis brings more than 15 years of leadership in higher education and corporate talent initiatives. She holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Organizational Leadership from Columbia University and earned her doctorate in Education Leadership from Northeastern University. An accomplished leader and certified Crucial Learning trainer, Dr. DosReis specializes in fostering success through workforce skill-building and innovative learning strategies. Her professional background spans directing career centers at for-profit, Ivy League, Jesuit, and HBCU institutions, where she secured partnerships with corporations, communities, and philanthropic organizations, raising thousands in sponsorships and grants. Her tenure as Director of Recruiting at McKinney exemplified her ability to redefine pipelines, attract non-traditional and diverse talent, and enhance the candidate experience across three office locations. Now serving as McKinney’s Director of Learning and Development, Dr. DosReis is building the agency’s workforce capabilities to align with future industry needs. Dr. DosReis is deeply invested in advancing HBCU career centers, fostering industry-academic partnerships, and promoting skills-based hiring. A recognized thought leader, she has delivered multiple presentations and moderated panels at NACE conferences, the HBCU Summit, and other professional events. As a member of NACE, she co-led the HBCU Affinity Group for two years and serves on the Aligning Career Readiness Competencies for Recruitment Committee. Her contributions to national and affiliate conferences have elevated conversations around equity, innovation, and talent transformation in the career space. With a reputation for visionary leadership and a proven track record of impact, Dr. DosReis embodies excellence in driving workforce success and creating inclusive opportunities for all.

Anaiya Whaley, Student - Mass Commun & Psych, Claflin University
Anaiya Whaley is an Alice Carson Tisdale honors student at Claflin University. She is double-majoring in mass communications (public relations) and psychology. She serves as the public relations director with SGA, and completes freelance work in social media marketing. Her media experience and visionary perspective have earned her opportunities to work on media campaigns with notable professionals, win scholastic awards, and speak with youth about the communications industry. In her leisure time, she enjoys creating lifestyle content. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to study Strategic Communications. She aspires to own her public relations agency.

Nina Collymore, student: Bus Entre, Intell Data, Norfolk State University
Nina Collymore is a junior at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, majoring in business with a double concentration in entrepreneurship and business intelligence data analytics. She gained an interest in philanthropy and entrepreneurship after participating in a program called Envision Lead Grow in 2017 that taught her how to be an entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of NinaShavon a multipurpose fashion company tackling the issues of sustainability in the clothing industry. Her passion for entrepreneurship has now expanded to financial literacy and generational wealth-building for youth and underprivileged communities. She now interns for the non-profits Envision Lead Grow and HomeFree USA- an organization that helps low to middle-income families on their homeownership journeys. Her presence on campus is immense. She is the president of the Robert C. Nusbaum Honors College Student Association, the Center for Financial Advancement campus ambassador, and a member of the Women’s Initiative. She also represents Norfolk State off-campus. She placed first in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund CBRE Challenge, winning $15,000 with her team. Collymore is a Memphis native who plans to go back to her community, and through a career of philanthropy and entrepreneurship, help build it up. When she is not busy assisting with campus events, she is working with her four younger sisters' advancement in all their endeavors.