With another successful commencement behind us, recent High Point University graduates are preparing to commence prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other esteemed organizations thanks to their journey at HPU. Here’s a glimpse of one extraordinary senior from the Class of 2016:
Name: Justin Moore
Hometown: Huntersville, North Carolina
Major: Moore graduated with a B.S.B.A. in Accounting, with a minor in Economics, on May 7.
Post-graduation plans: Moore accepted a position as a Tax Associate at Dixon Hughes Goodman, one of the largest certified public accounting firms in the country, in High Point, North Carolina.
How HPU helped you get there: “HPU has helped me by providing opportunities to network with employers and develop people skills that will benefit me in the workplace. I first used the office of Career & Professional Development at the end of my freshman year, when I met with Eric Melniczek in regards to my resume and LinkedIn profile. In the fall of my sophomore year, I took a class with Eric that helped me get set up with an externship at the Winston Salem Dash, where I worked with and shadowed their accounting department.”
Most impactful mentor at HPU: “As a whole, my professors in the accounting department were the most impactful mentors at HPU: Dr. Premalata Sundaram, Dr. Ross Roberts, Mr. Scott Davis and Mr. George Noxon. I have been very fortunate to be a part of a program here at HPU with a team of professors who want nothing more than to create opportunities for their students. I am a firm believer that I would not be in the position I am now if it were not for these professors and their constant investment in my education and development as a student. I have learned far more than debits and credits from my professors; I have learned skills that I will be able to carry with me for decades to come, benefiting me in all aspects of life.”
Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment that I have had at HPU was the opportunity to participate in a program called VITA (Voluntary Income Tax Assistance). This was a class where my classmates and I assisted in preparing tax returns for low income individuals and families throughout our community. To see the appreciation on individuals’ faces after hearing the news of their refund was something that surpassed any classroom situation, and is something that I will never forget.”
Advice for underclassmen: “Value learning over grades. It is very easy to complete work and only focus on the grade you are going to receive. Taking the time to be diligent and concentrate on learning the material will benefit you far more in the long run, and more times than not it will result in the grade you originally set out to achieve.”