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 graduate from the Class of 2022:
Name: Sarah McLellan
Hometown: Horseshoe Valley, Ontario, Canada
Major: Finance and computer science
Post-graduation plans: McLellan works as a software developer for SportsMEDIA Technology in Durham, North Carolina. With a focus on statistics-based product development for major television broadcast companies, she has worked on projects for the Tour de France, Professional Fighters League, NASCAR, IndyCar and others.
How HPU helped you get there: “HPU challenged my intended career direction by allowing me to talk with experts from various industries. At HPU I was encouraged to explore new fields, and I was challenged with new experiences. The Office of Career and Professional Development helped me curate an effective resume and build self-confidence entering the interview process. I met the recruiter for my current position at an HPU career fair organized by their office. During my interview, I had to effectively convey my ability to do the job based on my academic knowledge and the network I’ve developed. I credit the Office of Career and Professional Development for the connection and confidence I had going into the interview process.”
Most impactful mentor at HPU: “I had so many mentors during my time at HPU who all were committed to helping me become the best I could be by the time I graduated. I’m thankful to the Earl N. Phillips School of Business faculty for teaching me how to land a job, the value of your network and the importance of career exploration. I’m thankful to the computer science department faculty for their caring, constant support and the community they created within the discipline. I’m grateful for my friends who pushed me, lent a helping hand and inspired me daily. I would not be the person I am today without their mentorship.”
Most impactful moment at HPU: “My most impactful moment was during my first year at HPU when Carla Harris, senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley, came to speak in one of my first business courses. She focused on authentic personal branding and the importance of always being able to convey who you are and your value. Carla inspired me to learn more about myself and find ways to improve my value, leading me to add a second major in computer science.”
How has HPU’s inspiring environment contributed to your success? “The level of interaction students have with faculty at HPU is uncommon at other institutions and ultimately what makes HPU stand out. My professors always made a point to learn about me and my ambitions. They always made me feel comfortable when asking questions and challenged my thoughts. They inspired me to keep pushing toward my goals and are some of the most caring people you’ll ever meet.”
What are the life skills HPU helped you develop that prepared you for long-term success? “While I’ve always been naturally motivated, HPU’s environment motivated me to explore various career avenues and step out of my comfort zone. Whether you look at your peers, professors or speakers, there’s inspiration and a helping hand wherever you look on campus.”
What are the values and virtues HPU’s campus helped you develop that you’ll take with you after graduation? “There’s a Disney quote, ‘If you can dream it, you can do it.’ There’s a similar philosophy at HPU. If you can dream it, you can do it with personal initiative and determination. It’s valuable to hear the stories of innovators such as Marc Randolph and Steve Wozniak because you will learn that every path is different with one commonality, personal initiative. Therefore, the value HPU helped me develop is that your level of success is only limited by your level of personal initiative.”
Advice for underclassmen: “Learn how to overcome failure. Failure is an inevitable part of growth and can be one of the hardest things to face. Working in technology, you make mistakes and learn something new every day. That’s what makes the industry so exciting. I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter how you fail but rather how you react to and learn from that failure.”
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