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 2015:
Name: Alina Garcia
Hometown: Weston, Florida
Major: Garcia graduated with a B.A. in Strategic Communication in December 2014.
Post-graduation plans: Garcia accepted a position as an Account Coordinator for Zimmerman Advertising, the 14th largest advertising agency in the country, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In her position, Garcia will handle the day-to-day tactical execution of print, broadcast, digital and in-store advertising for Nissan (the agency’s largest account) and will work directly with the client to ensure all goals and objectives are met.
How HPU helped you get there: “High Point’s strategic communication program is truly one of a kind. When I was interviewing for jobs, I was often asked about my college courses and I had a competitive advantage because not only did I have strong writing skills due to my PR courses, but I was proficient in programs such as Adobe Photoshop and InDesign as well. I also had real-world PR experience thanks to the Strategic Communication Campaigns course. We were able to work with a local, equine-assisted therapy center and we held a Veteran’s Day celebration to spread awareness of their Wounder Warriors program. High Point truly gave me a well-rounded, holistic education and I have no doubt that I am going to use these skills and build upon them throughout my professional career.
The Career & Internship Services department helped me enhance my resume and cover letter to really showcase my previous internship experiences and my accomplishments. They also showed me how to network with past HPU alumni and potential employers on LinkedIn. The greatest take-away I got from them was the mock interviews. I sat down with Sue Brien before a big internship interview and she really helped me prepare by asking me hard questions and provided me with great advice along the way. One of her biggest pieces of advice was to really research the company and find recent news articles in which they had been featured. I ended up getting the internship and they told me they were impressed by how eloquently I answered their questions and by how much I knew about the company!”
Most impactful mentor at HPU: “I had two remarkable mentors during my time at High Point. Dr. Shannon Campbell and Professor Phil Watson have been without a doubt, the most amazing mentors I could have ever asked for. Their enthusiasm and their knowledge of the PR/advertising industry is unparalleled. They always set time aside to meet with me to discuss my career plans and they gave me pep talks before all of my interviews. They would even email me after my interviews just to see how they went. I could never thank Dr. Campbell and Prof. Watson enough for all of their encouragement and guidance both inside and outside of the classroom.”
Most impactful moment at HPU: “I had the opportunity to do a faculty in-residence study abroad program at Oxford Brookes University and it was the highlight of my college experience. Not only was I able to travel to various different counties, but I got to enjoy one of the most diverse cities in the world. It definitely made me step out of my comfort zone, but upon return, it provided me with a new perspective on the world, a great education and willingness to keep learning. I learned a lot about myself by being in a foreign country and it tested my ability to adapt to diverse environments while also bringing out my independent nature.”
Advice for underclassmen: “Get as much experience as you can by doing different types of internships in your major, whether it be during the summer or during the school year. It helps you see what you’re passionate about and it will provide you with a better understanding of what type of career you want to pursue once you graduate. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors or alumni for career/internship advice. They were once in your shoes and will want to help you succeed in any way they can. Be sure to get involved on campus as much as possible. Your college experience is what you make of it and you get what you put into it.”