Developing Career Confidence
This story is featured in the 2023 edition of the HPU Magazine.
HPU students work with the Office of Career and Professional Development to light the spark of their calling.
They shake hands. They answer questions with confidence. They land their dream jobs.
These are common experiences for High Point University students. With a 99% success rate, it’s not surprising.
HPU students understand what it takes to not only get a job but to create a long-lasting career. They have the life skills to succeed outside of the classroom.
“HPU helped me develop an innumerable amount of life skills,” says Mia Clemons, a Class of 2023 graduate who majored in biology and minored in business administration and finance. She secured a position in GE HealthCare’s Commercial Leadership Program months before graduation.
“My communication, emotional intelligence and professional skills developed immensely, allowing me to achieve success as a student and preparing me for success following graduation.”
She received mentorship and guidance from a number of faculty, staff and alumni. Robert Tillman, career advisor in the Office of Career and Professional Development was one standout mentor.
“He was instrumental to my success at HPU,” she says. “Mr. Tillman supported me as a student and as an individual, providing me with guidance and advice in navigating my undergraduate experience. He is a smiling face in the career office and is always willing and eager to assist any students in need.”
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Students are impacted by the Office of Career and Professional Development – from top to bottom.
Diving Deeper
“Dr. Doug Hall, vice president of Career and Professional Development, went out of his way to invite me and another student into his office to speak with us about postgraduate career opportunities in our field,” explains Clemons.
“He walked us through different opportunities and made sure to share and promote resources for preparing for the application processes, which truly speaks to how passionate he is about the success of HPU students,” she says. “Experiencing that kind of passion and care for my success truly meant the world to me.”
Moments like these are what set the HPU student experience apart. Students enter college unsure of their first steps. The career office guides them through a course that covers career exploration, professional branding, networking and so much more.
Those steps mesh with other facets of campus life. They help students find opportunities for experiential learning on and off campus.
An entire ecosystem of career and professional development is found at HPU. It includes support from faculty, parents, alumni and employer partners.
“The university’s collaborative nature informs our success rate,” says Hall. “It ensures that our students are hearing the importance and relevance of career development within their living and learning community.”
The ripple effect is felt by all students across campus. They always have someone in their corner ready to lend a hand no matter their discipline.
“Having access to so many successful professionals inspired and drove me to work toward achievement,” says Clemons. “I have been motivated beyond measure by hearing the journeys of trial and success from dozens of accomplished professionals.”
Clemons is one example of how a life skills education can provide an unmatched return on investment.
Adjusting to Amazon
Alex Bouvier, a Class of 2023 strategic communication graduate, found his future at Amazon as an area manager following graduation.
He completed an internship with Amazon the summer before his senior year. He performed so well that he was offered a full-time job after graduation that September. He entered his senior year way ahead of the game.
It’s a big responsibility. Amazon area managers oversee a team of 50-200 associates in a fulfillment center. But Bouvier knows he can do it.
“HPU taught me how to communicate effectively and lead a team of associates,” he says. “These life and leadership skills helped me succeed in my internship. Now as an area manager, when leading a team of 50-200 associates, I need to communicate well with a broad group of individuals. I need to draw the line between pushing the planned volume for the day while also working with my team to look out for their well-being. HPU taught me how to do that.”
His hard work paid off. Bouvier took on life after graduation with a clear head and confidence in his abilities.
“HPU’s inspiring campus and 99% outcomes rate are not coincidental. HPU’s environment pushed me to land a great internship and work hard,” he says.
Employers are impressed by the professionalism of HPU students. Students are attentive, intellectually curious and driven, and they have the willingness to learn as well as contribute their skill set to the workspace.
When HPU students articulate and demonstrate this, employers are attracted to them in a way that has them seeking more HPU students for talent development.
It goes beyond technical skills. HPU students are adaptable, emotionally intelligent, motivated and hardworking.
“Having emotional intelligence and being aware of others is important when going into a management role such as mine,” says Bouvier.
HPU sets students up with a running start ahead of the competition.
Another HPU graduate can tell you how she scored a slam-dunk career.
Playing Hardball
Cassady Kreuser, a Class of 2022 graduate, took the jump and landed with the Memphis Grizzlies NBA team as a booking coordinator.
Sure, she was nervous. But she didn’t let her nerves stop her from taking the shot.
“I applied what I learned from HPU’s Office of Career and Professional Development to create my resume and hone my interview skills,” she explains. “That led me to get this role.”
She knew she was ready to handle the big leagues. And HPU helped her gain the confidence to get there.
“HPU taught me to never undersell myself,” says Kreuser. “HPU gave me connections and showed me how to market myself. The growth mindset HPU imbued in me helped me to achieve this position by teaching me that growing and learning are lifelong processes. HPU’s inspiring environment gave me a positive mindset, knowing that with the skills I learned and connections I made, I would succeed in life after graduation.”
Kreuser is glad she took the chance and applied for the position. She now lives in Memphis, Tennessee, where she interacts with clients, promoters, agents and managers in her role.
“HPU made me a well-rounded person with the leadership experience that taught me to adjust and succeed in a workplace environment.”
It was a full-circle moment for Kreuser and many others like her. HPU’s Office of Career and Professional Development pushes students not to fumble these types of opportunities.
Students are educated holistically in a collaborative environment. Every corner of campus is ready to champion students and see them succeed.
Kate McCarthy, ’23
Client Services Development Program
Visa
“HPU has the resources, mentors and programs that help students sharpen their passions and aim for more. The Office of Career and Professional Development helped me navigate the current job market and gain the skills needed to excel in my job search and interviews.”
Billy Mathias, ‘22
Medical Student
Penn State College of Medicine
“The caring professors, advisors and meaningful experiences I had at HPU prepared me for success in medical school.”
Morgan Smith, ’23
Partner Marketing Specialist
Cisco Technologies
“HPU’s inspiring environment helped position me with like-minded individuals who also strive for success.”
Ashton Kajcienski, ’22
Experience Manager/Operations Supervisor
Live Nation Entertainment
“Through the opportunities HPU provides, I gained the communication, conflict management and leadership skills needed to be an effective leader and manager. As early as my freshman year, I met with my career advisor, Emily Long, in the Office of Career and Professional Development.”