After a brief transfer to a state university, this business management major returned to Berry with a signature scholarship and support from mentors that bolstered his confidence and facilitated life-changing opportunities.
From an early age, political science major Brandin Carter ’25 knew he wanted to practice law and dreamed of one day holding public office. Now a junior preparing for the LSAT, he says formative Berry experiences and his summer internship with a district attorney are steppingstones to achieving his goals.
Physics major Brenden Smothers built a cloud-computing system during his internship and was then hired as the company’s webmaster. He reflects on how Berry encouraged him to pursue his interests and credits his support network for much of his success.
Jamie Jang started college on a different degree path, but with the guidance of faculty, she charted a course to physician assistant school. Now she’s thriving in her major, volunteer work and on-campus jobs related to health care.
Abby Hilliard, a marketing and management double major, encourages students not to wait until junior or senior year for an internship. After working as a Harbin Clinic marketing intern, she has new direction and drive to start her junior year.
As an ambitious student with a variety of interests, Makhia Williams says an internship at Mohawk Industries, an international leader in flooring, is helping her focus career goals.
Hunter Perez ’23 transferred to Berry and quickly became a leader: research and teaching assistant, dairy shift supervisor and student director of orientation. Now he’s enrolled in graduate school with eyes firmly set on teaching animal science.
Mathewson Parks ’23 relocated to LA after graduation when he secured a highly sought after internship with the Television Academy Foundation. After a summer in Hollywood, he is now an active producer on two documentaries with the Emmy-nominated studio Elysium Media.
Kylie Hamilton-Lord has made a name for herself teaching students to love music. Tripling the middle school band size where she was recently employed, she sees the impact her Berry education plays in how she builds community and teaches music.
Ryan Segall ’23 had a software developer job in hand when he walked across the stage at graduation. Reflecting on his college experience, he expresses the value of small classes, individualized learning and practical application of computer science skills in his on-campus work and internship.
Lirio Morales Ibarra ’23, who majored in sociology and anthropology, capped off her senior year with an acceptance to Harvard’s Educational Leadership, Organizations and Entrepreneurship Program housed in the Graduate School of Education. She says Berry experiences — especially the opportunity to serve — played a crucial part in her success.
Initially struggling to find a major that catered to her career aspirations, Dasha Schaaf ’23 decided to pursue an individually designed major in organizational leadership development.
Bronson Pierce '22 is trading the business world for medical school at Mercer University. Although he had a stable job, he felt unfulfilled. Now, after a degree from Berry, he credits his medical school acceptance to his support team.
With a desire to live and work abroad, Claire Rowan ’22 gave her teaching credentials a competitive edge, thanks to training at Berry.
The combination of academics and practical training in Berry’s nursing program paired with a four-year service scholarship prepared this nurse to deliver care with compassion and empathy.
Trejohn Skinner ’23 found a way to bridge his love of performing with knowledge acquired on the business side of the industry — and tailored his music major to his interests and career goals.
Majoring in economics and Spanish plus minoring in mathematics and physics, this business student embraced activities at Berry with energy and determination — including her position as technical director of Berry Outdoor Leadership Development (BOLD).
Carly Robinson ’23 came to Berry specifically for the applied behavior analysis (ABA) minor housed in the psychology department. ABA classes and relevant internships prepared her for graduate studies at Augusta University.
Alex Ruble ’23, a communication major and business minor, shares how he started a successful photography and videography business during his time at Berry.
Amy Solana ’23 plans a career in recreational therapy. To achieve her goal, she personalized her major with a combination of work, academic and research experiences — and even won the admiration of some honorary grandparents along the way.
Future veterinarian Brooke Appelbaum ’23 accumulated meaningful hours caring for animals, from the cattle and sheep on Berry’s campus farm to beloved pets at a specialty veterinary clinic. She also conducted research that could lead to new ways of protecting livestock from disease. Accepted to four veterinary schools, she chose the University of Georgia.
Entering college undecided about your major can open you to new possibilities and career options, as Kate Gray ’23 learned at Berry. Taking Spanish enriched her life and set her on a path to use her language skills in service to others.
Studies in the humanities positioned Vanessa Rice ’23 to receive a coveted Fulbright Scholarship as well as two Critical Language Scholarships from the U.S. Department of State.
As an executive vice president at Edelman, Kristen Stone ’00 attributes much of her career preparation to Berry. She is excited to be back, teaching a Berry course on social media strategy and giving her students similar real-world experiences.
Amber Bingham ’23 knew that Berry was the place for her when she learned about the robust education program. As early as freshman year, she worked in the South Rome Early Learning Center where she discovered her love of teaching the youngest ages.
Inspired by a beloved animal companion, Handley Owens started her healthy dog treat business, Southern Belle Naturals, and grew it into a line of products. Her determination and ability to tell her story with wit and warmth powered her early success.
Weaver Ellard ’17 used his experience working full-time as a Berry student to launch his career in digital marketing. His marketing expertise is integral to running two companies.
Aleeya Thornton ’23 is a determined pre-med student who gained unique perspective while helping run Berry’s health center. As she reflects on the most valuable parts of her college career, she expresses gratitude for how she was challenged in her campus job and supported by her mentor and the alumni network.
Sydney Nelson ’22 works in a prestigious biochemistry lab and has her sights set on a career characterizing the molecular origins of disease subtypes. But she says she wouldn’t have gotten there without a Berry mentor who invited her to train in his research lab during her first semester.
Building on formative Berry experiences, Monica Phelps-Pineda ’13 is completing her doctorate in education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. She received the National Board of Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship in 2022.
Bertha Nibigira ’18 used an undergraduate internship to launch her path into youth empowerment and peacebuilding. She received a graduate degree in international development from American University.
Jazzy Innis ’24 is having a banner junior year — studying abroad in Galway, Ireland, working with the Center for Personal and Professional Development at Berry and attending the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio.
A smart combination of academics and an innovative approach to learning prepared this student for real-world practice.
Thanks to a multidisciplinary track, internships and student work through the Berry Information Technology Students (BITS) program, senior Kalista Shields is ready for life after Berry.
Attorney Toqeer Chouhan (01) has packed a lot into his career — founding a boutique law firm, serving as a county magistrate judge in the Atlanta area and leading in his community. He explains how small classes and insightful mentors influenced his professional choices.
For Alex Rakestraw (18), working as a general manager for Berry College Student Enterprises was foundational in cultivating the transferable skills that landed him a job at Delta Air Lines.
Dillon Yost, with joint direction from his chemistry and math professors, discovered a field of research he never knew existed. Now he works at the prestigious Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.