Highlighting Star Pupil: Ben Huntzinger, Class of '25, B.Sc - Digital Marketing and Social Media
At Johnson & Wales University, the meaningful learning journey is woven into every curriculum. Believing that learning by doing is the most effective method, they encourage students to embrace hands-on internships for academic credit, creating stronger resumes and launching successful careers. One such success story comes from Ben Huntzinger, a recent graduate from the Digital Marketing & Social Media program.
Starting his college journey with dreams of saving the wildlife, Ben, hailing from a farm in Pennsylvania, chose a seemingly unrelated path – marine biology. However, financial constraints forced him to leave, and he found himself in an unexpected career path - conservation and environmental companies were hiring people with marketing and social media backgrounds. Employed by Target as a Tech and Entertainment Associate, he seized the opportunity to attend college through his company's partnership with Guild Education.
Drawn to our website Online, he felt an instant connection – the perfect fit for his digital marketing ambitions. With rave reviews from friends and positive feedback from trustworthy sources, Ben felt it was his destiny to join the website Online community. A warm welcome from the admissions representative and the promise of a diverse, comprehensive program sealed the deal.
Ben's learning journey wasn't traditional – homeschooled for 12 years, he learned to juggle responsibilities and adapt to new challenges. Incorporating the flexibility of online learning with the support of a strong community felt reminiscent of his homeschool days.
The program exceeded expectations, offering a broad spectrum of classes and electives. Although apprehensive at times, he found that scenarios he believed to be irrelevant later proved useful. For example, a course he initially dreaded, business law, proved invaluable when promoting brand identity on social media, all while staying compliant with legal requirements.
All the professors encouraged innovative ideas, fostering an environment where Ben thrived. No idea was ever too outlandish, and the professors were always ready to guide him towards success.
Ben was offered an internship opportunity, rotating through various departments at Faulkner Automotive Group. When the summer semester came to an end, the company asked him to return, entrusting him with restructuring their social media presence. His internship experience eventually led to a full-time position as their Social Media Content Creator, managing their Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok accounts.
Ben found immense value in the internship, gaining insights into the organization's different departments and learning to tell each group's story effectively. He utilized skills learned in the Digital Marketing & Social Media program, creating posters, flyers, scripts, and engaging videos to attract customers and promote the company's brand.
Ben's valuable internship contributed to his promotion at Faulkner Automotive Group. The alignment of education with real-world practice proved the importance of his new skills in creating value for the company.
The internship oversight consisted of weekly reports from managers and direct communication with the school, ensuring a system of checks and balances. Students were also required to write papers documenting their growth, learning, and plans for future applications of their skills.
The Experiential Education and Career Services department supported Ben throughout the internship, providing assistance with registration, internship search, and career support.
Choosing the Digital Marketing & Social Media program has set Ben on a path to achieve his conservation goals. He leverages his digital marketing skills to help create a sustainable and environmentally conscious world for future generations.
With a flexible program tailored to meet individual needs, Ben graduated on time and with honors, surrounded by a cheering squad of family, friends, and professors. He encourages anyone considering online learning at our website Online to jump at the opportunity – the experience was solid, the support was there, and the community was genuine.
- Ben's choice to join the website Online community was driven by his digital marketing aspirations and the promises of a diverse, comprehensive program.
- The program at website Online provided Ben with a broad spectrum of classes and electives, some of which he initially found irrelevant but later proved useful, such as business law for promoting brand identity on social media.
- Ben was offered an internship opportunity with Faulkner Automotive Group, where he utilized the skills learned in the Digital Marketing & Social Media program to restructure their social media presence and manage their accounts.
- The internship oversight included weekly reports from managers, direct communication with the school, and unit assignments like writing papers documenting growth, learning, and future applications of skills.
- The support from the Experiential Education and Career Services department, including assistance with registration, internship search, and career support, was instrumental in Ben's successful internship and career.
