With another Commencement behind us, High Point University graduates will be commencing 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 member of the Class of 2021:
Name: Taylor Helson
Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina
Major: Master’s in Communication and Business Leadership
Post-graduation plans: Helson joins Violino as an assistant merchandiser and marketing coordinator while completing her master’s in communication and business leadership at HPU. Helson is learning the ropes of merchandising to eventually transition into this role at a larger capacity.
How HPU helped you get there: “Being a 2020 graduate, the pandemic interrupted a lot of the plans I once thought I had for myself. Job leads, conversations of employment and applications immediately gave way. HPU offered an alternative plan for me with the Communication and Business Leadership Program. Applying and enrolling in this program was an integral part of my professional journey and I am continually seeing the fruits of that decision. At a time where I felt everything was being taken away from me, HPU gave me something invaluable. That extra year of pursuing higher education ultimately gave me the skills, knowledge and relationships that opened the door to my career at Violino. The trajectory of my professional life was changed drastically in my decision to come back for my masters. I worked in the Office of Career & Professional Development as a peer career advisor during my senior year of undergrad. The mutual encouragement, excitement and passion that poured from every conversation with peers was a huge testament to HPU’s mission of providing its students with life skills to better shape their path to success. I grew personally and professionally by being an advisor to my fellow classmates, and it never felt like work to me. In this industry and at this company, relationships are everything. Gestures such as taking large accounts out to lunches or dinners are extremely common because it strengthens these relationships. I’ve never had any anxiety when having a seat at the table because HPU did such a stellar job of integrating business and dining etiquette into our college experience. Visiting 1924 Prime was something my friends and I looked forward to each week and without knowing it, we were walking out with more than just full stomachs. We were walking out with knowledge of how to be comfortable and prepared in these business settings.”
Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Dr. Bobby Hayes was hands-down the most impactful mentor that HPU gave me. Dr. Hayes served as my advisor, professor and friend for the entirety of my undergrad and graduate experience. His is the voice in the back of my head on the days I feel inadequate or anxious in my capabilities. He believes in me and all of his students so much that we have no choice but to believe in ourselves, too.”
Most impactful moment at HPU: “I can’t even pinpoint a specific moment that could encapsulate the impact that HPU had on me. All five years have felt like one big moment for me.”
Advice for underclassmen: “My advice is passed down from my dad: persistence is key. In your studies, in your relationships, in your pursuit of a career or internship, you must want it! And wanting it doesn’t always mean you’re destined to get it, at least not right away. You have two choices: let rejection or uncertainty define you and ultimately tear you down, or let it drive your comeback story. Know that ‘no’ is not rejection, it’s redirection. At HPU, you’re in an environment that has every resource available to better yourself, so use them! Keep chasing after the connections, opportunities and the seemingly unreachable goals; and when you do, you’ll either get what you wanted or get something better! ”