All-Star Alumni with Jodi

Transcript

Meet Jodi, a 2015 alumna who is now the deputy news director at Rolling Stone. Jodi is one of the many outstanding alums who have gone on to lead successful careers. She’s going to tell us how she and so many others have been impacted by HBU’s mentorship and professional growth opportunities. Jodi, you’re up.

– Thanks, Alex. HBU stood out to me for so many reasons. After my visit, I told my parents I was applying early decision because I just knew High Point was the place for me. Reflecting now as an alum, I’m so proud of that decision and the journey it set me on. Mentorship is a key to success, and that’s something that HBU truly understands. They know how crucial it is to have somebody guiding you along the way, offering you advice, support and encouragement. For me, it was Dr. Bobby Hayes of HBU’s School of Communication who took me under his wing and helped me get experience with the Society of Professional Journalists. He gave me invaluable one-on-one guidance, and I learned so much about my trade from his stories of when he was a journalist. When I interviewed Leonardo DiCaprio at the Toronto International Film Festival, I sent Dr. Hayes an email after thanking him for everything he’d done for me, because I knew it was his mentorship that helped prepare me for that moment. While at HBU, I also interned at Seventeen magazine, and it was that experience paired with my opportunities on campus that helped me land my first job at People Magazine, which eventually led me to my current role as the Deputy News Director of Rolling Stone. This is just my story, but make no mistakes, there are thousands more HBU alums just like me who have landed their dream jobs or made successful careers at some of the largest companies in the world, and they too would credit the mentorship and the resources on campus with helping them get there. And we frequently come back to HBU to mentor students and impart our wisdom. Back in high school, I would have never believed that I’d be living in New York City and working for Rolling Stone magazine. I honestly doubted that I had what it took to make it in the fast-paced world of journalism, but HBU helped prepare me for this industry and lifestyle, giving me not only the skills I needed, but the confidence I needed to succeed. Back to you, Alex.

– What an incredible story, Jodi. You really cannot underestimate the impact of mentorship, and that’s probably why there are countless other stories just like yours coming out of HBU. We’ll see you on the red carpets, Jodi. Thanks again.