Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve.
Name: Caitlin Black, Class of 2025
Hometown: High Point, North Carolina
Major: B.S. in Computer Science with a Concentration in Cybersecurity and B.A. in Dance
Internship plans: Caitlin interned at Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) as their Project Management Office (PMO) Intern in Thomasville, North Carolina. In her position, she’s been able to shadow and help in the leading and management of various ongoing projects including planning, scheduling, financial tracking, resource tracking and so much more, technology plays a large role in fulfilling the promises ODFL makes to its customers. In addition, Caitlin has learned a lot about the management side of IT, corporate life itself and ODFL and its workplace culture.
How HPU helped you get there: “High Point University, even as a prospective student, made an effort to teach life skills that have helped me become a more well-rounded individual, student and worker. “No matter your major, all students are in sales,” I tell prospective students while on tour. At the end of the day, when you walk into an interview for a job or internship, you are “selling” your skills, knowledge, personality and expertise. As a student soon to be entering the workplace full-time, I have found it to be an extremely useful life skill to be able to introduce myself, hold a professional conversation, discuss my strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations and relate to those around me. Throughout my various experiences on campus, including leadership positions, projects, presentations and career fairs, I have been able to obtain a stronger sense of how to interact well with others in a professional environment and not sell myself short. HPU has not only offered the intelligence found in a textbook but also the complementing intelligence and skills found within in day-to-day actions and real life that have allowed me to feel further prepared to achieve my goals.”
Most impactful mentor at HPU: “Although I have had countless impactful mentors at HPU, I want to highlight Dr. Suchan. Dr. Suchan was not just one of my first college professors but he was also one of the first people from HPU that I met on campus as a prospective student. He immediately empowered me as I discussed my uncertainty about diving into such a difficult major, explaining that, as long as I apply my strong work ethic and stick to it, the professors in the department would be there to support me and help see me succeed. He was definitely right with this, as obtaining a B.S. in Computer Science has been no small feat, but I have been blessed to be able to have the resources I need on campus to be successful and learn so much. Dr. Suchan had the following favorite answer to most questions asked: “It depends.” He taught us that, many times, when a question is asked there isn’t always a direct answer but, rather, a lot is dependent on the situation. This taught me a lot about how to look at computer science problems but also how to look at life in general. This answer of “it depends” empowers me to remember not to settle for where I am at, but instead to continue down the path of growth and learning, always aspiring to achieve more. Whether you can reach the goal you set is dependent on the effort you decide to put in. It really does depend.”
How you used Career & Professional Development: “I have been able to attend the LinkedIn headshot days every semester, resulting in a consistently up-to-date, professional headshot on my LinkedIn profile. Additionally, I have attended the career fairs hosted by the Office of Career and Professional Development, finding it a blessing to be able to talk to various companies, employers and recruiters to get a feel for their company’s values, goals and workplace environment.”
What has your internship experience been like and how is it preparing you for your future? “The values of God, Family and Country are both how I was raised and how I hope to raise children of my own one day. I love High Point University, and one of the many reasons HPU is the school for me is that their values align with mine.”
Advice for underclassmen: “My advice to underclassmen is to work hard both in and outside of classes. Don’t settle where you’re at — work hard, speak up and always ask questions, stay open to all opportunities and seek more. Stay true to who you are and never sacrifice your morals and values. Don’t sell yourself short but be sure to work hard to be the best version of yourself there can be.”
Are you an HPU graduate with an exciting job or graduate school offer?
Share your news with us for a chance to be featured!