It’s that time of the year! Thousands of college seniors are wrapping up their final semester of college and are graduating this May! Those four years sure do fly on by! Wonder what post-grad life looks like? Get to know alum Brennan Correll (better known as B) and learn about her life post the Hilltop!
Name: Breanna Correll
Age: 22
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Moraga, CA
When did you graduate?
December 2016 (a semester early)
Why did you choose St. Ed’s?
St. Edward’s was actually the only school I applied to. There were so many reasons why I chose St. Ed’s including the school Disability Service program, desire to study abroad to gain global understanding, and the endless opportunities to connect and build strong relationships with faculty and peers.
Did you study abroad, if so where?
The University of Edinburgh (Edinburgh, Scotland)
What is your favorite memory about study abroad?
I have so many fond memories from my time abroad it’s hard to pick just one—so I’ll give you two. My first favorite memory is made up of a bunch of small memories; those being the chances I had to engage with individuals from different cultures and learn from them about their country first hand. My second favorite memory occurred my second or third day in Scotland. I got in a cab with another young woman who was studying abroad and it’s two years later and she is now one of my best friends!
Do you plan to go to grad school, if so when/where/what would you like to get your masters in?
At some point, I would love to go back to school and get my masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Whether that be in the fall or two plus years from now I am not sure. Right now, Columbia and The University of Texas at Arlington are at the top of my list.
Where do you currently live?
Dallas, TX
Where are you working now?
Southwest Airlines—I am located at the Corporate Headquarters.
What is your position?
Employment Intern—I with the Campus Reach team as well as the Military Liaison
Favorite memory on the Hilltop?
Living in the dorms. I met all my best friends there.
How has SEU prepared you for the real world?
I truly believe the level of success I have been able to achieve is thanks to St. Edward’s. The majority of my classes were either project or application based, making it easy to transfer classroom skills to the real world.
What organizations were you involved in on campus?
Hilltop Mentors, Hilltop Hospitality, Psi Chi Honors Society
Did you have any internships while you were in school, if so where/what did you do?
Yes, I had three HR/Recruiting Internships that allowed me to expand my knowledge of talent acquisition trends in a professional setting. I interned at Texas Monthly, the Central Texas Food Bank, and GSD&M advertising agency.
What’s the most exciting thing about post-grad?
The opportunities for both personal and professional growth/development unparalleled to any many of us have ever experienced.
What’s the scariest thing about post-grad?
The uncertainty.
I think the majority of students, especially St. Edward’s students, have had the luxury of a level of certainty up until graduation—most of us knew we would graduate high school, go to a four-year college, and have chances to succeed during that time. As a post grad, a lot of that certainty goes away; nothing is guaranteed in the same way it used to be or at least seemed.
Do you have any advice for current seniors?
Consider taking a post-graduate internship. There has not been a single day since graduation that I have regretted it. As an Intern at Southwest, I am getting to work with individuals that challenge me to be better, work harder, expand my skills, and have fun while doing it. I am surrounded by leaders who want to see me and my fellow interns succeed and I am a part of a Company that’s culture and values burn fiercely bright in every one of its employees. I’m not sure I’d be able to say that if I had only been open to full-time employment following graduation.
Any advice for current freshmen?
Your success over the next four years will not be measured by how smart you are, but by how hard you work.
If you could change something about your college experience what would you change?
You know, I don’t think there is anything I would change. Every experience I had in college—both success and failures—has gotten me to where I am today.
What’s your favorite thing about St. Ed’s?
The professors. My professors were some of my biggest cheerleaders during my time at St. Ed’s and I am forever thankful for the relationships I was able to build with them.
What’s your favorite thing about ATX?
Austin is a city for everyone. No matter who you are, your passions, or your interests, you can find happiness in ATX.
What’s your favorite Austin coffee shop?
Probably a cop-out, but I’m going to have to say Mozart’s
What’s your favorite Austin bar?
Banger’s
What’s your favorite Austin dish?
Uchi Brussel Sprouts
What’s your favorite Austin concert venue?
The Moody Theater
I think we can all agree that B has the work ethic of Queen B. We also no doubt aspire to be her after graduating!