HPU graduates are leading 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 2022:
Name: Tayla Young
Hometown: Gastonia, North Carolina
Major: Sport management with a minor in event management
Post-graduation plans: Young will be continuing her education to pursue her master’s in sports management at Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota.
How HPU helped you get there: “I learned so much at HPU, and the Office of Career and Professional Development helped me grow so much. I learned to develop my resume, prepare for interviews and much more! The classes I took were instrumental in strengthening my communication, writing and presentation skills. All of the courses I took made me a well-rounded person! When I began figuring out which graduate school was best for me, I went to my career advisor Brandon Floyd for help. He was wonderful at helping me narrow down which master’s program was the best option for me. I encourage students to take full advantage of their office from the very beginning!”
Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Brandon Floyd, assistant director of Career and Professional Development, and HPU alumna Mikaela Campbell were critical to my success at HPU. I met with Mr. Floyd to work on things such as my resume, LinkedIn profile and graduate school applications. I met Mikaela Campbell through HPU’s Sport Management Association. Mikaela works at the NBA, and having her as a mentor taught me never to be afraid to go after the opportunities that seem unattainable and to never give up on myself. With Brandon and Mikaela, I was able to talk about things going on with school or just life in general. They’ve were so supportive and helpful to me, and I’m so thankful to have met them!”
Most impactful moment at HPU: “My first impactful moment was traveling to the NCAA tournament in San Antonio, Texas in 2021 as manager for the HPU’s Women’s Basketball team. The team had recently won their first conference tournament, and I was so excited to see them experience that. My excitement grew even more when I got to go with them to the tournament in Texas! My second impactful moment was volunteering at the 2022 women’s NCAA tournament. I had the opportunity-of-a-lifetime to meet the legendary former Team USA standout and current South Carolina women’s basketball head coach, Dawn Staley. I learned about this opportunity through my Sport Management Professor Dr. Jenny Lukow.
How has HPU’s inspiring environment contributed to your success? “The inspiring environment at HPU allowed me to cross paths with so many amazing faculty and students! The people at HPU are always so encouraging and supportive. It’s truly made me realize just how many amazing people I have in my corner.”
What are the life skills HPU helped you develop that prepared you for long-term success? “HPU helped me develop organizational, critical thinking and communication skills. Before college, I was extremely shy, so taking classes that required me to present and speak up helped me grow. Assignments from my classes made me think on deeper level and managing the coursework helped me develop my organizational skills. Those life skills prepared me for the journey I am about to go on in graduate school!”
What are the values and virtues HPU’s campus helped you develop that you’ll take with you after graduation? “The hands-on approach to learning was helpful in my HPU career. I wasn’t always sitting in classrooms listening to lectures, and I got to apply what I learned from those classes.”
Advice for underclassmen: “College is a big adjustment, but don’t worry — there are so many people who want to help you and see you succeed! As you make friends and get to know people, networking is key! You will probably hear this many times, but it really is something that can take you further than you’ve imagined.”
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