Destination Success | Marco Sebastian | Watch HPU

Chapters & Transcript

0:00

My name is Marco Sebastian and I graduated from High Point University in 2018.

While on campus I studied computer science. I was originally born and raised in New Jersey, but now I currently live and work in New York City at Bloomberg as an account manager working with our hedge fund clients.

0:26

The life skills that I learned while on campus at High Point University really set me apart for my peers because it allows me to deliver and articulate properly in front of hedge fund managers, and I have to tell them yes or no that they're making the correct solution. Because at the end of the day, it really does matter, and that is what drives the markets.

0:44

High Point in the City started when I was a sophomore here at High Point, and I was able to interview and secure a position as a sophomore to go and tour different companies in New York City. We went to Bloomberg as our last stop.

While there, my jaw completely hit the floor, and alumni of the University, John Herring, was gracious enough to invite us into the office and give us a tour. I really was able to learn what that company does, and I saw myself there as an individual in the future.

With the help of John and the connections at High Point, I was able to keep in contact with him throughout my junior year and senior year, and by the end of all of that I had a job secured in the beginning of March, almost 3 months before graduation.

1:23

For current students at High Point University, I would recommend a couple different things in order to set yourself up for success when it comes to career development. First, start at the career development office because they're going to be your one-stop shop for everything with regards to alumni networks, current employers that are hiring students, resume workshopping, and even interviewing prep.

After that, I would recommend taking a step further, going on LinkedIn and you can search for a job type in High Point after it, and I guarantee that a student at High Point will definitely be working there. Reach out to them, ask for an informational interview or an informal interview, and allow them to help you portray yourself into that role of where you would like to ultimately be.

2:04

To me, choose to be extraordinary means to always set your next goal. You should never be comfortable where you currently are, and you should always be striving to get to the next mile marker that you set for yourself, whether that be personally or professionally.

You should have little milestones and great milestones that you can constantly work towards, achieve, and ultimately celebrate later down the road.

Marco Sebastian, a 2018 High Point University graduate, credits HPU's life skills education and alumni network for his successful career launch at Bloomberg. Through the HPU in the City program, he toured companies as a sophomore, connected with alumnus John Herring, and secured a position months before graduation. He shares career advice for current students and reflects on what "choose to be extraordinary" means in the context of continuous personal and professional growth.

Destination Success | Marco Sebastian

Destination Success | Marco Sebastian

How do High Point University graduates succeed?

How do HPU life skills help in the workplace?

How does the HPU alumni network help students?

How should HPU students prepare for a career?

What does it mean to choose to be extraordinary?