Real-World Experience with CJ

Transcript

Meet CJ, a sophomore studying sports journalism from North Carolina. At HPU, experiential learning is a pillar of the university’s educational model. It’s about stepping beyond the textbook and learning through practice so students are prepared for the situations they’ll face in their career. By graduation, they have the experience of a seasoned pro. CJ, you’re up.

– Thanks, Alex. Hi, everyone. I wanted a college where I could dive into hands on work right away. And HPU provided that more than any other school I visited. Classrooms at HPU are unique and small. Unlike bigger schools, we don’t have 500 seat lecture halls where professors never know your name. Instead, you’ll be in real world settings with professors who bring practical experience. For instance, I take classes in our cutting edge TV studio, running from Professor Joe Michaels, who directed the Today show for 22 years. But that’s just one example. You might find yourself in our trading room or biomechanics lab doing research as a freshman. Our surrounding city of High Point is the furniture capital of the world. Students majoring in everything from interior design to marketing and business gain experience and connections during the biannual furniture market. The best part, you won’t have to wait until your senior year to get hands on experience. You’ll start right away. During my freshman year, I visited the Dallas Mavericks headquarters as part of an annual trip. HPU arranges for students and shadowed Maverick’s CEO, Cynt Marshall, who serves as sports executive in residence at HPU. She regularly visits campus to mentor and connect with students. In Dallas, we connected with executives, explored career opportunities, and even attended a game. None of my friends at other schools were doing stuff like this their freshman year, and my parents loved that I was building my professional network so early. All of these experiences are meant to prepare you for the real world. HPU has given me the confidence to face industry challenges head on, and I know the hands on learning will be the key to landing my dream job. Back to you, Alex.

– CJ, you’re ready for the real world. It’s no wonder 99% of HPU students have jobs or further their education within six months of graduating. Students have entire portfolios of projects and experiences to display when their four years are finished, making them ideal candidates for employers. Thanks again, CJ. That was awesome.