Going beyond her comfort zone
Graduate Profile: Julia Reyes
Julia Reyes came to Governors State University (GovState) for its diversity and volleyball program, yet she found that it was the best place for her to expand her comfort zone one step at a time.
A Health Administration student with a minor in Business Administration and Marketing, Julia finished her courses in December and jumped right into the work force. She credits her professors for preparing her to make the jump from student to employee and looks back fondly on her GovState journey that encouraged her to grow.
GovState Newsroom: What attracted you to Governors State University?
Julia: I was attracted to Governors State for a multitude of reasons. For starters, GovState gave me the opportunity to obtain an affordable education while also pursuing my dream of becoming a collegiate athlete. GovState was a great fit for me because it allowed me to experience living on campus, but also was close enough to home where I could visit often. I was also very interested in GovState’s diverse learning environment. Being in a class with so many individuals with varying perspectives has been so rewarding and beneficial to my learning experience.
GovState Newsroom: What clubs and/or activities were you involved with?
Julia: I was a member of the Women’s Volleyball team for five seasons. It has truly been an honor to represent my university in this way. I was also inducted into the Health Administration Honor Society, Upsilon Phi Delta.
GovState Newsroom: What song will always remind you of this time in your life?
Julia: I don’t think I have a particular song that can truly encapsulate my time at GovState, but one artist that has remained a constant on my playlist and has gotten me through many late nights studying would have to be SZA.
GovState Newsroom: What are your dreams for your degree?
Julia: Graduating in December, I have had a quick start on my career. Less than a week after finishing school, I secured my current full-time job in human resources. I am so grateful for all of the knowledge I have gained in my time at GovState. I truly feel as though my professors have prepared me for the real world.
GovState Newsroom: What advice would you give to current and/or future GovState students?
Julia: Some advice I have for future Jaguars would be try and step outside of your comfort zone. Because I did so, I was able to study abroad in Italy with the GovState Honors Program on a full scholarship. I had never been outside of the country before and met so many new people on this trip. I never would have thought that was an option for me until I decided to just go for it. Also, remember to really live in the moment. It can be so easy to get caught up in your workload, but always remember to take a minute for yourself. The four years truly do fly by, so make as many connections with your peers as you can.