Here’s a glimpse of an HPU student making an impact on Capitol Hill.
Name: Alex Campos, Class of 2027
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Major: International Business | Minor: Operations & Supply Chain Management
Internship plans: Alex Campos, Class of 2027, served as an intern at The Fertilizer Institute in Arlington, Virginia. He supports the organization’s Government Affairs, Membership and Programs teams by working with federal agencies and congressional offices on behalf of the fertilizer industry and by engaging directly with current and prospective member companies to discuss the role the Institute plays in the industry and on Capitol Hill. Alex also completed a capstone project in which he coordinated with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to collect data for implementation to the Farm Bill’s provisions on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program. He has worked on a wide range of policy issues and interacted with a wide range of companies that are part of the agricultural supply chain.
How HPU helped you get there:
“HPU helped me prepare for my future by providing me with an abundance of opportunities to improve my leadership, communication and organizational skills through several on-campus offerings. Beyond the classroom, experiences with HPU’s clubs, student government, Career and Professional Development Office and the Chi Rho chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity helped shape me into the professional I am today.”
Most impactful mentor at HPU:
“David Smith, a career advisor in the Office of Career & Professional Development, has been such a dependable source of reassurance and encouragement. I have had several meetings with him and left each one feeling more confident in myself and my ability to succeed.”
Most impactful moment at HPU:
“My most impactful moment was pledging Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity. The process of becoming a Brother transformed my professional repertoire and connected me with lifelong friends and colleagues.”
What has your internship experience been like?
“My internship has been very immersive in the agricultural policy space, specifically in the fertilizer industry. I have had the opportunity to lobby in congressional offices, coordinate a caucus briefing with 65+ congressional staffers, work on a capstone project collecting responses from state-level NRCS offices on their awareness of a certain interim conservation practice standard, coordinate a survey effort with the USDA of our organization’s members to implement data that would allow for new innovative products in the fertilizer space to receive government subsidy, network across other agriculturally focused organizations in DC, attend receptions, forums and intern lunches and engage with our trade organization’s member companies to discuss the role we play in the industry and on Capitol Hill. It’s preparing me for my future by giving me hands-on experience and exposure to several industries and job functions, providing me with networking opportunities and providing me with unique opportunities to learn about a diverse set of topics, all while serving the fertilizer industry and the American farmer.”
What are the values and virtues HPU’s campus helped you develop that you’ll take with you after graduation?
“As a student at HPU, you are constantly encouraged to be ambitious and entrepreneurial in your thinking. HPU and President Qubein’s values shine through in everything the school does. There are lessons everywhere at this school for those with the eyes to see them. Due to the inspiring and encouraging environment that HPU has curated on its campus, I have been spurred to develop greater foresight and perceptiveness to the future.”
Advice for underclassmen:
“My advice is about advice. Examine yourself and your behaviors before interacting with any sweeping piece of advice given to you about self-regulation of behavior. People will give you advice about how you should work harder vs. relax, push through vs. know when to walk away, believe in yourself vs. stay humble, etc. Assess where you already exist on those spectrums and where you want to be before applying any of the reasoning given for these pieces of advice to your approach to anything in life. In other words, know yourself and what you want so you can be intentional about the changes you make in your life.”
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