In 2020, everyone’s world was turned upside down with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. For Whitney Humphrey, she faced even more personal and professional upheaval along with everything else that was changing.
A 2022 graduate with an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications, Whitney took a leap following the life-altering changes from the Covid-19 pandemic. In early 2020, Whitney’s grandmother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer which affected her entire family deeply.
“She and I were very close,” she said. “When I was growing up, she was always there for me — always at my school events, at my dance recitals, my wedding and held my children. We lived next door to her, so she was always a constant presence in my life.”
When Whitney lost her grandmother and her world was turned upside down, she thought she had her job as the only constant left in her life. Nine days after she lost her grandmother, Whitney found herself packing her things and leaving her job effective immediately. Suddenly, everything had changed in her personal and professional lives.
Eighty job applications, two dozen interviews and still no luck, so Whitney decided to take a new approach to her job search. A friend on social media posted about completing the WVU IMC program, and Whitney began looking into the programs. She quickly learned that the skills she needed to develop and the skills jobs were looking for were ones she would pick up during her studies. Whitney took the risk and enrolled in the Masters of Integrated Marketing Communications at WVU. Her resume started to gain more attention immediately, and after just a few weeks into her first course, Whitney got a job.
I don’t know what would have happened if I had not taken that risk. I’m usually risk averse,” she laughed. “I’m really grateful that I jumped off that cliff and applied to the program. It really was a game changer for me.”
“I don’t know what would have happened if I had not taken that risk. I’m usually risk averse. I’m really grateful that I jumped off that cliff and applied to the program. It really was a game changer for me. whitney humphrey
For Whitney, the program offered her more than just a chance to learn and develop new skills. It gave her opportunities to grow her network and make friends going through a similar situation in addition to her high-caliber coursework and instructors.
If you are even thinking about applying to the IMC program, just do it. It’s so much more than just a master’s degree,” she said. “World class professors, mentors, friendships, the coursework — it opens you to so many opportunities that you otherwise wouldn’t have. If anybody is on that fence, I encourage them to just take that leap and do it.”
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