High Point Discovered: finding your connection between the classroom and the workplace
February 6, 2024
For many college students readying to enter the workforce, there is a disconnect between being in the classroom and being in the professional field.
There are minimal opportunities for students to dive into the everyday tasks within their intended careers without sacrificing their time in school. Students never truly experience the day-to-day routine of a professional until we are thrown straight into the fire.
While it is difficult to replicate the daily tasks of an office job in the classroom, there are luckily many employers who want to help students succeed and feel comfortable in professional settings, without interfering with their education.
High Point Discovered, a non-profit magazine based in High Point, North Carolina, is doing just that.
Haley McCall, a senior at High Point University, has been a content writer for High Point Discovered for about 2 years. She learned about the magazine when the Creative Director, Hannah Ray, was reaching out for more writers.
“As an English major, internships in that realm tend to be very specific and very competitive, so I never intended to seek one out,” says McCall, “But when Hannah reached out and asked for an interview, I never knew how much of a blessing it would be.”
By taking a step into the professional world, students can grow in ways beyond what they list on their resumes. In positions such as McCall’s, you have the opportunity to practice and apply those skills you learn in the classroom in new ways.
McCall said, “This kind of work is completely invaluable as an undergraduate. I love the way I have been able to grow in confidence as a writer and as an interviewer.”
Creating this connection between the classroom and the workplace is valuable for all students of all different disciplines.
Recent college graduate, Katie Cothran, is the Social Media Coordinator for High Point Discovered. She reflects on her experience transitioning from the classroom to the workplace.
She says, “I'm not just doing work for a grade anymore, I'm doing work that goes out into the world and will influence the community.”
Cothran shares that by using those critical thinking and problem-solving skills you develop in school, you can truly succeed professionally.
One of the biggest changes comes from the pace of daily tasks. “In the workplace, there's a greater sense of ownership and accountability for outcomes, deadlines, and overall job performance,” says Cothran.
This is why finding experience and dipping your toes into whatever you can, truly helps you in the long run. That transition from the classroom to an office can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
“Ever since high school, authorities will chatter about ‘the real world’ as if it is some incomprehensible and inaccessible place where the rules are unforgiving and strange. Stepping foot into this job gave me real-world experience in a job that is directly relevant to my major,” says McCall.
Take advantage of the opportunities around you, and don’t be afraid to be wrong.
“Make sure that you have an open mind and are willing to learn and adapt, and don't be afraid to ask questions. That’s truly the best way to learn,” Cothran shares.
The next time you find yourself panicking about what you’re going to do post-graduation, how you’re going to find an internship, or how you’ll build experience, don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and look to the businesses around you. It may be the best decision you make to bridge that gap.
But in the end, don’t ever doubt your ability. McCall shares, “The people in the real world are just like you and me. I think the most useful aspect of finding work in your major is the revelation that you are more prepared than you think you are.”
If you are interested in applying to High Point Discovered you can contact them on their website.