New Career Group Is Formed

About 35 students last night attended the first meeting of Horizons, a new group which hopes to foster career opportunities for minority students. Their agenda included printing a collection of resumes and setting up a intercollegiate conference in the spring.

"This is going to be `the new organization' on campus," President Jaja S. Jackson '95 told the group. "It gives you the chance to help not only your friends but yourself."

He said Horizons seeks to bring all students of color at Harvard together to improve their career prospects. Representatives from the African, African-American, Caribbean, Chicano, Latino and Native-American student groups will form part of the board.

The students discussed the production of a Horizons Resume Book, a collection of resumes that will be sold to companies to encourage the recruitment of students of color. The idea originated with the Black Business Association, but Horizons hopes to develop it and update it.

The board also discussed a proposal for a spring business conference with students from other colleges. The conferees would discuss career goals and how to achieve those goals.

"We are looking to the conference to be a very large and exciting event," Jackson said.

Board members said Horizons will also concentrate on securing summer internships, especially for sophomores and first-years.

The group is also planning to work with the Office of Career Services to set up a professional workshop committee to help students polish their interviewing skills and help with resume writing.

The board encouraged students to invite speakers that they might be interested in to address the group.

Jackson said Horizons also plans to arrange debates about the role of professional people of color in society.

One student at the meeting said she was concerned about the fact that there were no women on the executive board. "Is Horizons actively attempting to recruit women and will women's issues be addressed?" asked Adey A. Fisseha '95.

Jackson answered that Horizons was founded by a group of male friends, but that he is hoping that there will be female representation on the new subcommittees, and that women will be elected to the board in March elections.

Carlos Whiteman '95, the group's treasurer, said Horizons is determined to succeed. "Communications, links to the outside world, will determine the survival of Horizons."

He said the group will publish a regular newsletter to keep people informed and up-to-date on Horizons activities.

Members of the audience also emphasized how important it is for the group to succeed. "This is going to be a vital organization and important to the people of color at Harvard," said Joshua D. Bloodworthy '97.