High Point University issued the following announcement on February 3.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Feb. 3, 2022 – High Point University’s commitment to equipping students with life skills is producing extraordinary results. Data collected by HPU in accordance with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards shows 98% of the Class of 2021 were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation. HPU’s outcomes rate is 16 points higher than the national average, according to NACE.
As the Premier Life Skills University, HPU surveys the global marketplace and asks leaders for feedback. HPU then combines the best of a liberal arts education with state-of-the-art labs and technology, all underscored with the life skills that outlast inevitable change and prepare students to adapt in a constantly changing world.
What HPU Graduates Say
HPU graduates go on to land highly competitive positions with companies like JP Morgan Chase & Co., Amazon, Google, Merrill Lynch and more. Alon Parker, a senior from Concord, North Carolina, credits HPU’s multiple leadership opportunities with gaining an internship and job offer from Amazon Web Services before he graduates this spring.
“High Point University provided a variety of hands-on experiences and learning opportunities through leadership roles on campus, which have prepared me to tackle challenges that I may face in the future,” says Parker, who will join Amazon Web Services Sales Team after graduating. “I became a change agent, acted as a servant leader and learned to advocate for others through my experiences on campus as Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of the Student Government Association, Event Coordinator of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and Diversity Mentor. Once you get involved with different clubs, organizations and professional networks, you will learn life skills that you can incorporate into your everyday life that will allow for you to become successful as a professional in the real world.”
Tyler Thomas, a 2022 HPU graduate, landed a position with JP Morgan Chase & Co. as an analyst for their Corporate Analyst Development Program. He echoes Parker with taking advantage of all the opportunities and help from professors, mentors and staff who want to see students succeed.
“I attribute my success in obtaining a high-quality job to the Phillips School of Business,” says Thomas, a marketing major from Cleveland, Ohio. “Early in the program, you are exposed to internships and taught how to market and sell yourself as the premier candidate. The partnership between the business school and the Office of Career and Professional Development has helped me craft my resume and interview skills to stand out from other students from top schools. HPU students have direct access to world renowned leaders, state-of-the-art technology and faculty who have real life experience in their field. This combination of resources allows HPU to be ahead of the trends and teach students for what the world will be when we step into it.”
DISCOVER MORE
Learn more about HPU’s commitment to student success.
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Data collected by High Point University in accordance with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) standards shows 98% of the Class of 2021 were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.
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Companies like Coca-Cola Consolidated love to hire HPU students. Lindsay Scott, talent development manager, has recruited many HPU students to intern and start a career with the company after graduation.
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HPU’s outcomes rate is 16 points higher than the national average, according to NACE.
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High Point University students interacted with multiple companies at the Career and Internship Expo in September 2021. The university hosts multiple events during the fall and spring semesters.
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HPU graduates go on to launch careers at major organizations and serve as important resources for current students. Several graduates, pictured here, recently returned to campus to connect with and mentor students. From left to right are Harris Walker, Class of 2011, director of government affairs and stakeholder engagement for the National Nuclear Security Administration; Dr. Jazmin Cromartie, Class of 2013, associate dentist and founding faculty member for HPU’s School of Dental Medicine and Oral Health; Nikki Sanford, Class of 2013, patent attorney for BakerHostetler; Tyler Heaggans, Class of 2013, senior associate for customer transformation at PricewaterhouseCoopers; Courtney Leopold, Class of 2018, booker for “America Reports” for Fox News; and Mikaela Campbell, Class of 2018, associate manager, global partnerships and media for the NBA.
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Students are mentored by global leaders in HPU’s Access to Innovators program. Reghan Groseclose, a senior Business Fellow, had a one-on-one meeting with Dee Ann Turner, HPU’s Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence. This mentorship offers students a chance to gain valuable life skills experience and guidance.
What Employers Say
HPU graduates stand out as professional and prepared. It’s one of the many reasons why companies love hiring HPU students, according to Lindsay Scott, talent development manager at Coca-Cola Consolidated.
“High Point University students consistently bring a level of professionalism through not only their technical skills, but also an excellent skill set comprised of strong communication skills, ability to work in a team and a passion for innovation,” says Scott. “HPU students also represent a God, family and country institution, which aligns well with Coca-Cola Consolidated, where we believe our purpose is to serve others, to pursue excellence and to grow profitably. Above all, we strive to honor God in everything we do. Simply put, HPU students are strong young professionals that are mission driven.”
“When we have hired HPU graduates and interns, they come into the workforce with professionalism and a passion for their career, which are huge things that we look for in candidates,” says Blake Miles, territory manager for TTI.
“HPU students stand out as job applicants because they understand how to communicate effectively, ask great questions and dig in to go beyond what is expected of them to grow as professionals,” says Abigail Lind, content manager and internship lead at Stratagon Inc. “We love to work with HPU students in our marketing internship program, StratU, because they are driven, have a desire to learn and love to connect with their community.”
Real-World Resources
Across campus and off campus, faculty and staff are providing life skills opportunities and experiences for students. For example, students can meet top recruiters and companies at the Career Expo on campus. Countless global leaders are attracted to HPU and mentor students through the Access to Innovators program. Campus is filled with real-world learning labs like the Tilley Trading Room with a live stock ticker, a professional television studio in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication, and the Beacon Lab, where students use biosensors to conduct marketing and business research.
“I admire HPU’s commitment to student success, and I’m excited to help further develop the life skills that HPU is committed to instilling,” says Dee Ann Turner, HPU’s Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence. “I know from experience that these are the skills employers are looking for in new team members.”
HPU students also succeed in the holistic learning environment they experience every day through the President’s Seminar on Life Skills for all freshmen; 1924 Prime and Alo, two fine-dining restaurants and learning labs; Project Discovery, which helps students find the right major; the Access to Innovators program, which welcomes global leaders like Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence, to campus; Student Success Coaches and much more.
Scott McKain, HPU’s Corporate Educator in Residence, tells students firsthand that acquiring life skills sets them apart from other candidates.
“One of High Point University’s most distinctive qualities is how engaged and insightful the students are, and that is because the university is equipping them with life skills,” says McKain. “What HPU students bring to the table is wisdom and insight combined with enthusiasm and commitment. That can really make a difference in organizations in the U.S. and around the world.”
“The Office of Career and Professional Development helped me work on ways in which I can stand out among the job applicant pool of resources,” says Parker.
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HPU students spoke to a group of their peers at an internship panel in the fall. Four students led the panel sharing about their experience working at companies like ABC News, Amazon and Coca-Cola Consolidated.
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Russell Weiner, HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence and Domino’s president and chief operating officer, came to campus on Nov. 10 to speak with students. He offered tips on how to land the job through navigating the interview process.
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Students are also continuing their education at graduate and professional schools. HPU offers several programs for students to pursue like the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which will welcome its first cohort this fall.
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Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph, HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence, frequently visits the university to mentor entrepreneur students on their inventions and give valuable feedback to move forward in their projects. He recently visited HPU to discuss the art of connecting with others as a valuable life skill.
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The Elevator Pitch Competition helps students practice pitching their business ventures in front of panelists, another way HPU prepares students for the future. Pictured here is Quentin Barrial, a student from Atlanta, Georgia, who created The Condiment Spreader at this year’s event.
A Commitment to Career and Professional Development
The Office of Career and Professional Development offers support to students for personal and professional development and goals through personalized, face-to-face and in-person interaction with career advisors, recruiters and more. The goal is to create extraordinary experiential learning opportunities that direct students to their passions while developing life skills.
“Our approach to helping our students is methodical in nature,” says Dr. Doug Hall, vice president for career and professional development. “All the touchpoints we provide from career advising sessions and classroom presentations to workshops and group events, we collaborate with our faculty and staff and incorporate our employer partners to help educate and empower our students, which aligns well with the mission of our office.”
Upcoming Events Hosted by Career and Professional Development:
Career Expo Prep Workshops: 1 to 15 in the Kushner Ballroom in Cottrell Hall.
Career Expo prep from creating and developing an effective resume and cover letter, to building a professional wardrobe and leveraging LinkedIn.
Career & Internship Expo: Wednesday, Feb. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Nido and Mariana Qubein Conference Center.
Acing the Interview: Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 4 p.m. In the Kushner Ballroom in Cottrell Hall.
Virtual Career & Internship Expo: Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Handshake.
Career prep workshops: March 8 to 29 in the Kushner Ballroom in Cottrell Hall.
Researching internships and jobs: Tuesday, March 8 at 4 p.m.
Graduate School Panel: Friday, March 11 at noon
Tailoring your resume and cover letter: Tuesday, March 15 at 4 p.m.
Salary negotiation: Friday, March 18 at noon
Developing professionalism and a strong work ethic: Tuesday, March 29 at 4 p.m.
Career prep workshops: April 1 to 26 in the Kushner Ballroom in Cottrell Hall.
Budget Basics: Friday, April 1 at 2 p.m.
Salary Negotiation: Friday, April 8 at noon
Succeeding in your first 100 days: Tuesday, April 19 at 4 p.m.
Personal Branding: Friday, April 22 at noon
Exploring careers over the summer: Tuesday, April 26 at 4 p.m.
You can find more information on events by visiting the Office of Career and Professional Development website.
Original source can be found here.
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