Esinam Dedoo is a freshman Business Administration scholar from Alexandria, Va. Dedoo was introduced to Livingstone College at an HBCU Career Fair in her hometown, where she was offered both admission and a scholarship on the spot. The daughter of Ghanaian immigrants, Esinam is a first-generation college student with aspirations of pursuing a career in marketing.

Dedoo learned about the DevCon Professional Development Conference through a friend—also a freshman—who attends sister HBCU Norfolk State University. Inspired by her friend’s enthusiasm and eager to get a head start on her own professional journey, Dedoo saw the conference as a chance to explore what it means to grow as a young professional beyond graduation. Motivated by a desire to gain hands-on experience and build meaningful connections, she applied to the DevCon Conference, sponsored by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Her hard work paid off when she was selected to attend this spring. The three-and-a-half-day program brought together freshmen and sophomores from HBCUs across the region, offering opportunities for networking, professional development workshops, and face-to-face interactions with representatives from some of the world’s top companies.

DW: How did attending DevCon change your life?

ED: Before attending DevCon, I didn’t realize how many students at other HBCUs were also navigating the same challenges I faced as a first-generation college student. Connecting with like-minded peers who shared similar experiences was incredibly empowering. Being in a space where people truly understood my journey made a big difference. By the end of the conference, I had gained a broader perspective—not only did I learn that it’s okay to be myself while still being professional, but I also discovered new opportunities for jobs and internships. Most importantly, the experience pushed me to grow, expand my network, and shift my mindset in ways that will stay with me throughout my college career and beyond.

DW: How did attending DevCon shape your understanding of the topics discussed and influence your career goals?

ED: DevCon provided me with a fresh perspective and helped realign my professional aspirations. While I’ve always been interested in content creation, and knew I wanted to pursue a career in it, I wasn’t sure what that path would look like. The conference introduced me to careers in marketing and showed me how every company has its own unique brand. It also demonstrated that my dreams are not only possible but can be lucrative and sustainable in the long term.

DW: What was something unexpected that you learned doing the convention?

ED: I’ve always believed that a bachelor’s degree would be enough to secure a steady and lucrative career after graduation, but DevCon showed me how far from the truth that is. While my degree is important, I learned that networking is the key to finding and maintaining a successful career. Presenters at the conference not only emphasized the importance of community and networking but also shared their own stories of setbacks as they began their careers. Hearing those stories was truly inspiring.

DW: As a first-generation college student, was there something that you experienced during the convention that you hadn’t been exposed to before?

ED: Absolutely! It was incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by students who shared the same goal of professional advancement. Being in rooms with young Black and Brown individuals, all equally dedicated to pursuing excellence, was both motivating and surreal.

DW: What does Livingstone College mean to you, and how has it helped prepare you for experiences like this one?

ED: Livingstone College is a place full of opportunities. While some may overlook us, it only fuels our drive to prove them wrong. Livingstone, especially my class of 2028, is full of innovators and visionaries. I embrace the challenge of being seen as the ‘underdog,’ as it gives me the chance to show others the strength and potential we possess. Livingstone has prepared me to remain resilient and adaptable, and I see that as a secret weapon to demonstrate my abilities and potential.

DW: How do you plan to apply the knowledge or connections you gained from this experience to your academic journey?

ED: I plan to apply the advice I received about being more intentional in my academic journey. As an introvert, I’ll challenge myself to engage more with both students and faculty. This includes making the most of my professors’ office hours and actively seeking opportunities to put myself out there, ensuring I’m fully utilizing the resources and connections available to me.

DW: In your view, how can Livingstone continue to offer meaningful opportunities like DevCon to its students?

ED: I believe Livingstone has done a great job providing opportunities for its students. I really appreciate the Career Readiness Institute—they’re incredibly helpful, offering resume feedback and consistently sharing internship opportunities. They keep us well-informed with frequent email updates. I hope more students continue to take full advantage of the Institute and focus on building relationships with faculty and staff on campus, because networking is key.