Paying it forward

Briana Klein experienced the benefits of UF Warrington’s Business Career Services office throughout her four years at Heavener and turned it into a full-time job with Google as an Associate Product Marketing Manager.

As a freshman, her connection to the office started through her relationship with a Career and Peer Mentor. What she thought was a meeting to edit her resume served as the launching point for a support system from the entire Business Career Services team.

“As I got older, I began to turn to the BCS Coaching staff for help with more serious matters such as managing multiple offers and negotiating starting salaries,” Klein (BSBA ’19) said. “I’m grateful for the help they provided me during my time in college and was so eager to pay it forward, which is why I became a CAP Mentor myself. I was able to support dozens of other students with their career journeys.”

Klein also benefitted from her involvement with Management Leadership for Tomorrow, which equips and emboldens high-achieving women and men from underrepresented communities. She was selected by the organization as an MLT Career Prep Fellow for an 18-month professional development program for high achieving diverse talent. She was also able to attend three professional development conferences hosted by industry leaders such as Deloitte, Target and Clorox.

Through involvement with Management Leadership for Tomorrow and other student organizations, Klein learned from older students and staff early in her time on campus and was able to serve as a leader as well.

“My experience at Heavener has taught me two important lessons for life after graduation,” Klein said. “First, I learned the importance of self-motivation and taking responsibility for reaching my own goals. Secondly, I discovered the importance of mentorship and lifting others as I climb. I feel so indebted to those who helped me get to where I am today, and this just fuels my desire to help others.”

As she begins her career at Google in September, her time on campus at Heavener played an integral role in helping her earn a dream career.

“I feel immense gratitude towards all of the students, faculty, and staff that have impacted me over the years,” Klein said. “As both a student and part-time employee of Heavener, I recognize all of the effort that goes towards creating the student experience that I was so lucky to have been a part of. I look forward to seeing how the school develops and becomes even greater in the future.”