The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) recently hosted, DevCon Atlanta, a four-day regional conference centered on professional development for college freshmen and sophomores from public and private historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). DevCon equips students with fundamental business skills and professional competencies through leadership development, career readiness and targeted tech upskilling.
“The early exposure DevCon provides to our HBCU students is beneficial to them and our corporate partners,” Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, said. “This work is crucial in building a talent pipeline and sending our students well prepared for a career, not just a job.”
Four hundred students from 22 TMCF member schools and five institutions outside of TMCF membership, with a near even amount of first-year and second-year students, attended the conference.
“DevCon was the perfect blend of a leadership summit and a career fair,” Simone Pittinger, community and engagement lead at Rehrig Pacific Company, said. “It was inspiring to be in a space where professional development, networking and career exploration came together so seamlessly. The energy was high, the students were engaged and the focus on both growth and opportunity made it a truly unique experience.”
Student engagement was Pittinger’s favorite part of the event.
“My favorite part was connecting with the students by having real conversations, learning about their goals and sharing insights about career paths and company culture,” Pittinger said. “There’s something powerful about being in a space where students feel seen, supported and encouraged to dream big.”
Alia Goode, a sophomore at South Carolina State University, said the experience was insightful and informative.
“I most enjoyed the safe spaces that were created for us,” Goode said. “We were given a realistic view of how things work in a professional setting and how to navigate those environments. Our speakers gave real testimony and guidance.”
Gimere Tooles, lead emerging talent partnership strategist at The Vanguard Group, Inc., said the company has proudly partnered with TMCF since 2021 and has attended DevCon for the past two years.
“DevCon is truly an inspiring experience,” Tooles said. “We’ve also had the privilege of recruiting several DevCon scholars into our North Star Sophomore Experiential Learning program, which offers second-year students early career exposure and internship opportunities at Vanguard.
Hosting a main stage plenary session about securing internships was Tooles’ favorite moment of this DevCon.
“Even with over 400 students in the room, the energy was inspiring, students were engaged, thoughtful and eager to share their perspectives and ask meaningful questions about professional development,” Tooles said.
Kennedy Blue Washington, a rising junior at Spelman College, attended DevCon in 2024 but this year’s event exceeded all expectations.
“Being surrounded by the epitome of HBCU scholarship was an amazing feeling,” Washington said. “I gained firsthand insight from company recruiters on how to master interviewing, strengthen my resume and build meaningful connections through networking.”
Washington said the sessions also helped grow confidence in navigating professional spaces authentically.
“DevCon reaffirmed to me that I belong in the rooms I am striving to reach and
equipped me with all the tools I need to be successful in and out of college,” Washington said.
Tristan Davis, a rising junior from Hampton University, said meeting people from all walks of life, whether that be current students, fraternity brothers, alumni, employers or TMCF staff, was one of his highlights.
His advice to prospective DevCon participants: arrive prepared.
“If you haven’t already, create a resume and a cover letter and work on your elevator pitch so when you get to DevCon you are working on refining these things rather than making them from scratch,” Davis said.
Pittinger had similar advice from an employer perspective.
Come prepared, but also come as your full, authentic self,” Pittinger said. “Research the companies beforehand, bring copies of your resume and know how to tell your story. But also be open to learning and asking questions. This is your chance to build relationships, not just hand out resumes.”
Tooles encouraged students to approach the event with thoughtfulness and intention.
“Take time to research the companies attending so you understand who you’re speaking with and why,” Tooles said. “Be intentional about the relationships you build, not just with corporate partners, but also with your peers and the TMCF staff. These connections can be incredibly influential in your personal and professional growth.”
The conference’s partners included Adobe, Bank of America, Capital One, Cargill, Coca-Cola UNITED, CVS/Aetna, Delta Airlines, Fund II Foundation | InternXL, Honda, Insight Enterprises, Medtronic, MUFG, PwC, Rehrig Pacific Company, Smurfit Westrock, TEKsystems, TIAA, Toyota, Truist, UnitedHealth Group (UHG), United Airlines, Vanguard, Wells Fargo and Wipfli LLP.
Photos from the event are online.
