You may remember Kayla McEwen as being the president of HC PS Behrend for two years. You may also remember her for her signature red hair or maybe she was even your RA at one point. Kayla graduated from Behrend this past May and so we decided what better way to miss Kayla than to do a profile on her!
What did you go to Penn State Behrend for?
Originally International Business and Marketing because Behrend was the only campus that offered International Business as a major – or joint major at that. Around the middle of my sophomore year, I switched to Marketing and English, more specifically Professional Writing, due to understanding a passion I had for writing through Her Campus.
What was your favorite experience on campus?
I was very lucky to have a phenomenal group of friends from the beginning. Meeting people from all over the world and all walks of life really broadened my horizons and it also helped that they were all quite involved. Being able to force myself out of my comfort zone was huge for my own personal, and professional development. My freshmen year alone I joined Alpha Sigma Alpha, the International Student Organization, and became a Resident Assistant. Over the years I gained more knowledge through stronger leadership roles, those being both the president of Her Campus for two years and also the Student Government Treasurer. To be honest, my biggest takeaway from college was learning how to work hard. There was never a year that I did not work, overload on credits, or involve myself. Behrend allowed me to expand my horizons and grow up at the very same time.
What have you been up to since graduating?
Well, (here is my shameless plug) my dearest friend, Andrea Gaez Mosquera, and I created a website, sheblogazine.com, so that we could have a safe space to write. Post-college life is very scary to be blunt. I am still in the market for a job and have applied to more than I want to share, but hey, that is the market and the competitive level of the field I wanted to go into – and I know that. In the meantime, I am working part-time and trying to grow SHE with Andrea and our wonderful team of writers into something beautiful.
What is a valuable lesson you have learned while attending Penn State Behrend?
If you want to grow you need to get, and push yourself, out of your comfort zone – and I really mean need to. Entering the world, you need to know how to communicate and interact with people, even if you’re an introvert like me. Try new things, take on roles that scare you, go the extra mile to make yourself and your resume stand out, these are the things that will help you grow as a person and as a professional. Honestly, I didn’t want to go to Behrend. My parents sort of gave a very forceful push and I was a cranky teenager about until up until the day I got there. Today, I am a proud alumna who has accomplished more than her parents, and even she, could have imagined.
Do you have any advice for students attending Penn State Behrend?
It sounds extremely corny and overused, but get involved. That is how you will make your friends and experience all the things that college really has to offer. Join a club, take on a leadership role, or even just attend a few meeting and feel something out. In today’s job market, you can’t just earn a degree or even add on some minor, you need to differentiate yourself from the crowd. Basically, learn to get comfortable putting the work in if you want to accomplish something big, but remember, you can always have fun doing it.
We love you, Kayla! Thanks for interviewing with us! <3