The importance of networking is essential during one's college career, especially when the time comes to look for a job. However, with the right connections, the best opportunities tend to come by. For students such as Jorge Morales, some opportunities tend to have exclusive perks attached to it such as doing an internship across the country in California.
Morales is a senior at Kean majoring in psychology with a minor in marketing. He is planning to graduate in May 2021. He is currently on the executive board for three clubs on campus including being the secretary for Kean Association of Marketing, a resource coordinator for Active Minds, and the vice president for Chance at Performing (CAP). Morales described getting his internship through a connection at Kean with one of his professors. This then began a story of how a summer internship turned into another big opportunity to broaden his skill set at a company known as Shield of Glory.
"[Getting] this internship was quite interesting. The company's CEO knew a professor at Kean in the business department. It was a chance to become a brand ambassador in New York. I had zero marketing experience but I still gave it a shot and applied. I got the position and the people at Shield of Glory really liked my professionalism that they invited me to work with them over the summer in California," said Morales. "It was very exciting for me because I have never traveled across the country before. It's really amazing how such a small gig can turn into something big and it can lead you to different paths in life. This shows how much of an opportunity Kean can give to students."
Morales was born in Peru and came to the United States from humble beginnings. He came with a mindset about wanting to better his life for him and his family, creating a new legacy that will last for generations to come.
"We started from the bottom but it's very important to stay close to your roots as well as your heritage because if you don't, then you will lose sight of who you really are," said Morales.
Morales also mentioned how his internship at Shield of Glory applies to his future career path and how attending an institution such as Kean provided him the necessary tools to achieve his success and eventually start his own business one day in the future. He manages the company's social media, goes over extensive marketing tactics as well as "dabbles" in customer service.
"You don't go to college to study just one major. Throughout my time in college, I have learned to maintain friendships, be a leader, how to hold an official business meeting, how to play guitar, and how to teach. You are going to come out of college a changed person. All these experiences we go through humble us and it demonstrates who you are as well as the person you want to be," said Morales.
"Never stop working on yourself because your main priority is always going to be yourself. The grind never ends. Kean provides a platform for students to discover who they want to be and as long as students network, they are already on the right path to becoming the true version of themselves," said Morales.
Morales has been able to balance his work at Kean remotely while living in California during his time there. He mentions that even though remote work is not the recommended way to learn, Kean still provides those opportunities for their students, especially during the ongoing pandemic. Morales plans on starting his own company in the near future and reminds students to follow their passions no matter what the criticism is. Jorge Morales is an inspiration and defines how cougars climb higher.
