It may be early in the semester, but Commencement will be here before we know it. Many High Point University seniors 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: Jake Jackson
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Major: Jackson will graduate with a B.S.B.A. in Business Administration, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Furnishings and Product Development, on May 7.
Post-graduation plans: Jackson accepted a position as the Operations Manager for Leather Creations Furniture based in Atlanta, Georgia. In his position, Jackson will purchase leather and other crucial materials for the construction of the sofas, chairs, sectionals and more, put together the production line, and utilize the company’s facility in an efficient manner.
How HPU helped you get there: “HPU helped me realize that I wanted to run my own business one day. The professors in the Business Department are truly special and really do care about your success if you show them that you care. The Entrepreneurship concentration offered here really makes the ideas flow. From the Creativity and Feasibility class that I took with Professor Kathy Elliot, to more concrete concepts that you learn in a class like Operations and Supply Chain Management with Dr. Patricia Swafford, they really round out a student in terms of what an employer wants to see. The most important way my entrepreneurship concentration helped me with was realizing what I want to do with my life and what makes me tick. It was by pure coincidence that I went to a university in THE furniture city. It was by all the countless hours coming up with business ideas and learning business concepts that guided me to my AH-HA moment.
People like Bridget Holcombe, who come to your class to specifically tell you how her office can get you where you want to go, are special. Not every university has people like her who have an undying love for helping people out. The passion she brings to the table is priceless. Also, Eric M. helped me create my LinkedIn page and turned my resumé from a sub-par piece of paper to a meaningful document that I felt confident handing out to employers. Eric will answer any questions you have no matter what the topic.”
Most impactful mentor at HPU: “This school has great professors and I have a hard time picking one specific mentor out, but who really helped me out is Dr. Patricia Swafford. She taught one of the hardest classes I have taken at HPU, and even though I got an A in her class, it was because I completely and utterly enjoyed everything about that class. She is tough, to the point, and expects a lot of a college student, but if you give her your respect and attention, she will help you along the way. Her help even extended into my summer internship directly after I took her class. I owe a lot to her; without it, I might not have the job I will have after I graduate. If you have any desire for operations and applicable math for the real world, no matter what degree you are trying to get, take that class.“
Most impactful moment at HPU: “The day that I had completed getting my minor declared in FPD, was the most impactful moment for me. Once I did it, I knew I was in the right place. Dr. David Little, my mentor, helped me tremendously with that endeavor and thanks to him, it all has worked out for me. Take your mentor seriously. They are there to help.”
Advice for underclassmen: “Listen to Bridget Holcombe when she comes into your class to speak to you about what the Career and Professional Development office has to offer. Make a LinkedIn as soon as possible, because networking never hurt anyone and it is the whole reason how I got my internship. The most important thing you can do is get an internship. Sure, a solid GPA looks good on paper but all that hard work for an A in a class will not stack up to the real-world experience you gain outside the classroom. Also, if you know what field you want to get into, there are countless opportunities in the area for jobs that will help you in your future career. Completely immersing yourself in the industry will show people you care about your job.”