Alumni Story

You aren’t a number at Catawba, and your professors and the staff members at the college truly care.”

“Kind and welcoming” are the words Steffi uses to describe the people she met at Catawba when she first visited the campus the summer before her junior year in high school. “I immediately felt at home. I could feel the sense of community on campus throughout the tour,” she explains. “I knew immediately it was the school I wanted to go to.”

When deciding on her major, Communication Arts held special appeal for Steffi. “I was a strong writer growing up and knew that was a skill I could develop further as a Communication Arts major.”  Being able to explore many facets within communication arts and not be limited to just one area also held interest for her. “I had the ability to explore all sorts of areas as a student, versus choosing just one area to focus on – broadcast media, public relations, journalism, digital media, etc.”  In addition, she appreciated the accessibility of the faculty. She could reach out to her professors after class and during their office hours. “I was able to ask questions and seek advice on how best to position myself to gain meaningful employment after graduation.”

Steffi’s expertise may just be behind that attractive posting for a great new house that you, your friend or your family member spotted online. She employs the skills she learned in her major on a regular basis, as Digital Experience Manager for a national home builder, Pulte Group. “My main role on the marketing technology team is to work with our field marketers across all thirty-two divisions that we build in, to help them best market their communities digitally.” That may include marketing on the firm’s six brand websites, syndication to Zillow or Realtor.com, and email marketing. “I work with our web development team to bring new digital experiences to life, such as website enhancements and new digital tools to help prospective home buyers.”

Overall, Steffi describes herself as “very happy” with her Catawba experience. She only wishes she had had more time as a student to explore the trails in the Stanback Ecological Preserve, and to attend more theater and music department productions. She did enjoy the time she spent in Goodman Gym, the Johnson Tennis Center, and the Corriher-Linn-Black Library, some of her favorite places on campus.

Describing Catawba, Steffi says, “Catawba is a place where you can forge your own path and take advantage of any opportunity that interests you – if you choose to.” She knows the ropes, and she offers encouragement to students: “Interested in interning in a specific department on campus? Just ask! Looking to learn more about a particular subject in your major but there isn’t a class for it? Ask a professor to help you put together an independent study.” Steffi advises, “Take advantage of your time at Catawba and explore what interests you to help position yourself for a life you’re passionate about after graduation.”