Jadé on TRIO UB alum panel during DCTC 2019 UB Summer Program
Jadé on TRIO UB alum panel during DCTC 2019 UB Summer Program
Earned A.A. and transferring to Minnesota State Mankato for sports management
(IHN story originally published June 7, 2018)
Jadé Milton, 20, from West St. Paul, Minnesota, graduated from Inver Hills Community College in May 2018 with her Associate of Arts (A.A.). Jadé was a very engaged student at Inver Hills. She belonged to TRIO Student Support Services, DECA and Psychology Club. She served as a student mentor in TRIO and vice president of communications in DECA.
“My long-range career goal is to work for the Minnesota Lynx,” Jadé said. “I would like to complete a sports management internship at some point, but I’m going to wait until I take an introduction to sports management class.”
Inver Hills CCD + CBL and a summer job at the YMCA
Jadé shaking hands with Paul David at Backpack to Briefcase
“I was paired up with an HR person from YMCA,” Jadé said. “I interviewed well enough so he offered to have me come in for another interview.”
Emily Johnson, director of career development at Inver Hills, was happy to see how Jadé took advantage of Backpack to Briefcase to make a strong first impression.
“Paul David, an HR generalist with the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, was the person who interviewed Jadé,” Emily said. “Paul left the event saying he planned on interviewing Jadé in the near future and he hoped he could find the right place for her at the Y.”
“You never know when you might make the connection that is going to land the job you want after college.”
— Emily Johnson, Director of Career Development
As it turned out, Jadé performed exceptionally well on her follow-up interview. She was hired for a full-time summer job as a youth coach at the Eagan YMCA. Her duties include helping plan activities for the kids to help them have fun and stay active. She will also teach the kids basic sports skills. She starts her new job June 9.
“My Backpack to Briefcase experience was amazing,” Jadé said. “I learned how to prepare myself for an interview and create a LinkedIn page.”
Emily added that all students need to take steps to network with professionals in their chosen field. The best way to prepare for a career-launching job search is to make the most of the resources offered by Career Services.
“You never know when you might make the connection that is going to land the job you want after college,” Emily said.
Backpack to Briefcase 2018
More about Jadé and DECA…
As vice president of communications, Jadé was took part in a number of DECA state and international competitions as well business-related activities. You can learn more about her time in DECA by reading the following stories on Inver Hills News:
What do like best about DECA?
DECA is community-based and our members support each other. We cheer each other on and help each other succeed.
What is your most memorable experience competing in DECA?
I received one of the highest case studies at internationals (International Career Development Conference, or ICDC) in retail management.
What is your greatest strength as a business student?
I have strong social skills. I’m pretty good at communicating and problem-solving. I know how to get my point across.
DECA students: Trinh Pham, Shelby Clausen, Alyssa Hayden, Zach Ward, Nick Altendorfer, Antonio Pineda, Jadé Milton
More about Jadé…
Jadé has three younger sisters, Jaida 17, Levaeh, 7, and Annalese 1. She has two dogs, Prince and Bella. In her free time, Jadé loves to sing and she is into hip hop, R & B and country rock. She is also learning to play guitar. She enjoys playing volleyball and hanging out with family and friends. One of her favorite pastimes is Aztec Danza.
Jadé Milton gallery
Jadé Milton • Q & A
Jadé on TRIO UB alum panel during DCTC 2019 UB Summer Program
Why did you choose Inver Hills?
I chose to attend Inver Hills because it was close to home and I wanted to be there for my sister and watch her play volleyball. Also, Inver tuition was cheap and affordable, and the community of people was amazing.
What has been your most memorable experience at Inver Hills?
My most memorable experience at Inver was the being able to attend the Summer Bridge program with TRIO. Without that program, I would never have been able to meet my best friend and gain knowledge of the wonderful resources Inver provides students.
Why did you become a TRIO SSS mentor? I became a mentor because my previous TRIO mentor told me I would be great for the position. I have been a TRIO student since 9th grade and I love all of the attention and all of the help I get from TRIO. I also wanted to give back to students who were in my position once. I am able to help them with smart goals and if they have any questions or concerns about things on campus. Also, TRIO is like a big, happy family that wants their students to succeed. So, I am proud to be a TRIO mentor and a part of the TRIO family.
What did you like best about TRIO SSS?
I like how the advisors were very caring and if you had a problem, they would do whatever it took to fix the problem. I liked how we had fun events for students to attend and that everyone seemed very friendly.
How would you describe your time at Inver Hills in one word? SPECTACULAR.
What do college graduates need to know about finding the right job?
College graduates need to look for what they want and what they are interested in. They also need to make sure that the job is the right fit for them because if it isn’t then they won’t enjoy what they are doing.
How has networking helped you?
Networking has helped me develop and make new connections with people who could possibly further help me with other jobs in the future. I also love networking because if you have a LinkedIn page, you will than be able to add that new person and hopefully they might be able to connect you with someone else.
Why did you choose your future career field?
I chose sports management because I love sports and there are multiple fields I can enter. So, if I may not like the field I am working in, it’s a pretty easy shift to switch over to something else.
Three words that describe you as a college student: MOTIVATED. ENTHUSIASTIC. DETERMINED.
What has been your toughest challenge in life?
My toughest challenge in life has been time management because I sometimes don’t make time for homework, friends and family well enough, but I am trying to improve on that.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment was being able to graduate with my A.A. degree.
What person has influenced you the most in life?
My grandpa, Tommie
What would you tell a high school student who is considering community college?
I would tell them that community college is great if you stay active on campus and meet people. You will learn a lot and achieve great things during your years at Inver.
The Center for Career Development and Community-Based Learning (CCD+CBL) helps students and alumni achieve their career and educational goals through learning about the world of work and job and internship preparation. We help you achieve your goals through the following services and resources:
The internet is a wonderful tool to explore careers and majors. However the best way is through direct exposure and experience. An internship is ideal but to start your process consider the following options:
Mentoring
Learn from a professional in your desired career or industry in a mentor/mentee experience
Job Shadowing
Shadow a professional in your field for hands on experience
Volunteer for Experience
Work in a non-profit developing your skills on a volunteer basis while contributing to the mission of the organization
Information Interviewing
Interview a professional about their job, career path or education and learn about the challenges and successes that got them where they are today
Favorite sport or physical activity: Volleyball or Aztec Danza
Your national bird if you could have one: Mockingbird
Place you would most like to visit: Hawaii
Favorite holiday: Christmas
Your national mammal if you could have one: Killer whale
Favorite actor or actress: Raven-Symoné
Favorite band or performing artist: Dua Lipa
Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Get your poop in a group.”
Coolest thing in the world: Technology
Scariest thing in the world: Volcanoes
Favorite all-time TV show:Empire
Favorite all-time movie:The Help
One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Owning my own house
Most precious material possession: Jewelry box my grandma gave to me
First thing you would buy if you won the $1.5 billion Powerball: I would buy a house for my parents because they deserve a place of their own. They have done so much for me so I want to give back by having something that they will form many memories in.
Dream occupation: Working for the Minnesota Lynx
Person you would most like to meet: Tyler Perry
Skill you would most like to learn and master: Learning Spanish
Favorite natural feature (e.g., waterfalls, oceans, mountains, etc.): Oceans
Your personal motto if you had to have one: “Get your poop in a group.”
Dream occupation: Working for the Minnesota Lynx
