HPU reflects the national trend: graduates in English are suited for a variety of professional contexts, and their critical and communication skills enable them to advance. Here are just a few examples of what our graduates are doing:
- Project Manager, Fortuna Enterprises
- Producer, Fox News
- Professors of English, Metropolitan University, Francis Marion University, and Gardner-Webb University
- Account Executive, DDB New York
- Editor, Lucky Dog Publishing
- Ph.D. candidate, University of Kansas
- Communications and Marketing Manager, Patience Service Inc.
- Corporate Manager of NW Operations, Landura Management
- Editor, AccuWeather
- Coordinator of the Living Learning Center, Appalachian State University
Featured Graduate Outcomes:
Megan Painter, ’17 – Attending graduate school at the University of Virginia to pursue a masters in English Literature
“Not only were my classes instrumental in helping me find where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do with my life, but also the professors I had along the way were so supportive that I truly felt I could do anything I worked for. They were never unrealistic, and sometimes their honesty was hard to hear, but knowing and learning my strengths and weaknesses has only helped me on the road to graduate school. HPU genuinely has a staff of incredibly supportive and caring people who want to inspire you to be extraordinary.”
Chris Grabert, ’16 – Pursuing his master’s in Rhetoric and Composition at the University of Central Florida
Even as a freshman, I received individual attention in the classroom in all of my courses. Having willing, accessible teachers is truly what made it possible for me to succeed here at HPU.“”
Christian Garber, ’16 – Sales Development Representative at ON24
“I would really like to list the whole English department here, but if I had to pick one person that would be Dr. Matthew Carlson. He was the person who really encouraged me to become an English major as he stressed to me how the degree could be translated to so many different careers and worlds.”
Leigh Thomas, ’16 – Stylist at POLO Ralph Lauren in New York City
““HPU allowed me the opportunity to discover who I am and what I am made of. College is challenging for anyone, and there are times when you need to take a step back to gain a new perspective.”
Kingsley Floyd, ’16 – Youth Transitions Fellow, The National Council on Independent Living
“I learned how to be confident and learned how to be more independent, but one could not have happened without the other,” she says. “Today, I appreciate myself. I understand who I am and what I bring to the table. I value the chance HPU gave me to become who I am and really value myself.”
Michael Heslink, ’16 – Pursuing masters’s in writing at Carnegie Mellon University
“HPU introduced me to some wonderful individuals that taught me valuable life skills and always encouraged me to pursue my goals.”
Jennifer Swiger, ’16 – Teacher with Teach For America
“As with any big change, I am nervous about the unknown and the start of something unfamiliar. However, I feel confident that the skills I have gathered from HPU, my internships and volunteer work will make me well-equipped to lead a classroom of high school students.”
Sarah Patterson, ’15 – Pursuing Masters in Publishing at Rosemont College
“My experience at HPU has shown me my dreams for the future and opened my eyes to the talent that is behind every person you pass on the street whether that be poetry, photography or digital design.
Kevin Garrity, ’15 – Pursuing Master of Divinity at Wake Forest University School of Divinity
“I have found the third part of our University’s mission statement — that HPU is a community made up of ‘caring people,’ to be an accurate representation of the faculty’s investment in each student’s academic and personal success. My advice is to take advantage of this by developing personal relationships with professors… In my experience, when I expressed particular interest in the coursework, my professors’ willingness to assist me in pursing that interest was extraordinary.”
Karaina Callahan, ’15 – Scheduler for Carson America—Dr. Ben Carson’s political campaign for president
“Most dear to my heart is the High Point University English Department. Not only were all of my classes intellectually stimulating and challenging, but pushed us as students to continually assess how we saw the world, whether through a lens of criticism, art, politics, psychology or economics. The English major is the most useful major for going out into the world. It prepares you with all the correct skills: critical and creative thinking, strong communication skills (both written and verbal), and not just reading comprehension, but reading application. I credit the amazing faculty and course materials for pushing me to be better than I ever thought I could be.”
Cole Gibson, ’15 – Pursuing a Master of Science in Library Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science
“My most impactful mentor at High Point would be Dr. Kirstin Squint. As someone who had an interest in both English and Library Science, she would often push me to go beyond my own reservations, whether this was in the classroom or with my own desires for my future.“
Shannon Curley, ’14 – Brand Writing & Editorial Intern / Junior Brand Writer at Hasbro Inc.
“The English department at High Point University is absolutely phenomenal and I would never have even thought I could get this internship without the support of all of my amazing professors. Attending HPU has made me a more confident person, as it is simply the most encouraging and supportive environment a student could ask for. Attending this school makes me want to succeed – equipped with the education and experiences I have received here, there is no excuse for me not to.”
Lauryn Polo, ’14 – Pursuing Masters in Writing at Lenior Rhyne
“My junior year I was a part of a book project in my Community Writing class. We interviewed women at Learning Together (a program in High Point that helps women from other countries learn English while giving homework help to their children) and we learned their literacy narratives. The final project was a book that will now be a part of the course reading for the class, but the most rewarding part was getting to know those women and what they went through. It gave us all a new perspective on literacy, and for me it changed my academic life.”
