At High Point University, an extraordinary education is one that offers experiential learning, student-to-faculty collaboration and a knowledge base that prepares graduates for the world of tomorrow.
Summer Tonsfeldt, a December 2014 graduate, exemplifies what an extraordinary education at HPU can do.
Graduating a semester early, Tonsfeldt managed to fit in five internships, a semester abroad and a multitude of extracurricular activities – like attending the Republican National Convention to interview political leaders and watch Mitt Romney deliver his speech – all within three and a half years. She’s worked alongside brands like Disney, Amazon, FXNow and NFL. She’s now pursuing her passion for public relations.
She received a degree in strategic communication and a minor in human relations from HPU. The recent graduate is putting all of her previous experience to practical use as a public relations undergraduate associate at Disney Consumer Products in Glendale, California, where she supports the external and internal communications team with development of press materials, media monitoring, research, media list building and more.
Experiential Learning
Entering HPU as a freshman in 2011, the Scottsdale, Arizona native was in one of the first cohorts of HPU’s selective Media Fellows program. This gave Tonsfeldt the opportunity to complete real-world projects for the High Point Chamber of Commerce and pursue unique research opportunities. Through the program, Tonsfeldt also travelled to Los Angeles to meet talent agents, network with notable public relations representatives, and even attend the NBC Television Critics Association press tour where they announce the season’s upcoming shows.
“You really can’t understand the ins and outs of the entertainment business until you have experienced it first-hand,” says Tonsfeldt. “The Media Fellows program introduced me to many entertainment professionals who gave me some extremely important insight into the industry and what it takes to make it.”
Relevant Distinction
Now launching her own life of success and significance a semester ahead of the game, Tonsfeldt is appreciative of all the opportunities her HPU journey provided her.
“I would definitely say that ‘being on the fast-track’ has impressed employers, but ultimately they have been the most intrigued by my hands-on experiences including my past internships,” she adds. “Graduating early has definitely given me a jump-start and other various advantages.”
Faculty Mentorship
Tonsfeldt also says there was one professor in particular who helped get her foot in the door in the California entertainment industry.
“HPU connected me with brilliant professors who have and will continue to be my mentors and guides through my career after college,” says Tonsfeldt. “Shannon Campbell and her senior seminar class improved my public relations skills. She was a mentor through my application process and connected me with other entertainment industry individuals in the Los Angeles area.”
Tonsfeldt is now well on her way to a promising career with Disney in California. Her advice to current students?
“While networking is very important, you need to have the experience first to create connections and meaningful relationships with people,” says Tonsfeldt. “Don’t be scared to strike up a conversation with anyone and everyone because you never know who you might meet. I account a bulk of the opportunities and education I have received from being able to say ‘hello’ to a stranger.”