Nia Daughtry - HBCU@SXSW
There was one section on the application I remember asking about if I had a startup or an idea and I just went in on that part because I am very passionate about my startup. I think that showed that I was deserving of attending. I was an late addition to the cohort, they had a few extra spots and reviewed my application and I was accepted. Although my circumstances were a bit different from my other peers in my cohort because I was accepted late, and I go to the University of Texas at Austin. This resulted in me staying in my dorm during the program which was not bad at all because SXSW is held in many venues in Downtown Austin which is a reasonable walking distance from campus. When I found out I was going anxiety set in again. At this point I was just nervous, and I had no idea what to expect. All I knew about SXSW is this the music and film festival, and I no idea about the various business/tech/innovation panels. Also knew very little about OHUB, I just showed up because who would pass up a free SXSW badge (the start at around $1000). That is the best thing I’ve ever done as a college student is take a chance, apply, and go. The first day of HBCU@SXSW we met the cohort at Maggie Mae’s a bar on Sixth Street, which would be the OHUB House during the remainder of SXSW. Students trickled in in batches as they were arriving from the airport (I think they were paid for by OHUB as well). Most students were upperclassmen at HBCUs, there were a small group of freshmen, if I had to guess it was about 10-15 out of 150. One student was from Stanford, there was one from Harvard, and a few of the Ivy leagues were represented. But it was mostly students from HBCUs which was the point. Throughout the weekend we participated in various panels, Q&A’s, and presentations covering a broad range of topics from Blockchain, Venture Capital, Entrepreneurship, and the Corporate World. The very first day we had representatives from Twitter, PayPal, LinkedIn, and Comcast (name a few) speak to us about internships and job opportunities with them. Recruiters were milling about the entire evening you’d never know who you’d run into. I sat next to a Comcast recruiter at the bar accidentally and we talked about my academic and professional goals, and how Comcast might fit into that picture. One recruiter from Comcast was adamant about me coming to Philadelphia and interning for them. I had no experience, there’s no way I would have been offered that through other means. But the fact that OHUB brings recruiters just for YOU is an opportunity you won’t get everyday so you have to take advantage it. Our cohort of students also got to meet Janice Bryant Howroyd, the first black woman to own and run a billion dollar company (yes with a ‘B’). We just sat an listened to her for an hour and half we were all so captivated and inspired. When you are around her you just want to be a sponge because wisdom just radiates from her. It was like everything that came out her mouth was gaseous gold. HBCU@SXSW is like a non-stop inspiring networking event where there’s endless learning and opportunity strictly for you and your peers. I personally am still in contact with a lot of AMAZINGLY impressive people. People I probably wouldn’t have even met, let alone have ACCESS to. Real access to for conversation and making lasting connections. The great thing about this program is not just the opportunity Opportunity Hub brings you, but it’s also the overall atmosphere of being in Austin at SXSW. If you don’t know what SXSW (South by Southwest) is please look it up and then you would realize how much you can really gain as a student. HBCU@SXSW is only for Students but the OHUB membership is open to everyone. Here is a thread on HBCU@SXSW and what OHUB is about here on my twitter account: https://twitter.com/_niathegreat/status/1033108449956122625?s=21 So please check that link out above. Apply (http://opportunityhub.typeform.com/to/eUPrge) to the OHUB membership today! To be considered for HBCU@SXSW the deadline is THIS Friday. Make sure when you apply use me at your referral by selecting “Nia UT Austin”. Connect with me on LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/in/nia-daughtry) if you have any questions or just want me to look for your name in the applicants. OHUB is looking to bring a record amount of students this year! So do not be afraid to apply. Good luck with your application. Apply here now: http://opportunityhub.typeform.com/to/eUPrge