An interview with Khalid Alzubi (PHS '18), a junior studying Marketing and Communications at St. Joseph’s University.
How have you grown since college?
“Being at college has definitely helped me to be more self-reliant and self-motivated. Understanding how important the next 4 years were going to be when I first got to school, I made the effort to go the extra mile both in my studies and creating new relationships. This also helped me to learn new life skills that I probably should have known before going away to school (like doing laundry haha). I am still very eager to learn the ins and outs of personal finance and managing my expenses as I prepare for the financially intimidating life outside of college.”
What is your favorite memory from college so far?
“My favorite memory so far was going to the Saint Joe’s vs. Villanova basketball game my sophomore year. Our schools are big Philadelphia rivals and although it is usually a pretty one-sided affair, our unranked Saint Joe’s team stuck with the #9 ranked Nova powerhouse and only ended up losing on a last-minute shot in overtime. The atmosphere and intensity in our arena that night was something I’ll never forget, regardless of the final score.”
What was an unexpected challenge of college?
“One of the more unexpected challenges of college has been finding time to dedicate to professional development, while still focusing on studies. Time management is a huge part of college success and as I approach the second half of my Junior year, I find myself spending a lot of time on Internship applications and getting certifications as well. This is something I had been better prepared for earlier in my college career. To make sure I get these done on time, I’ve started to build in an hour or two every other day to work on applications and prepare for interviews.”
What advice would you give to incoming college students?
“My advice would be to come into college with an open mind. A lot of people come in with an expectation of what college is supposed to look like. I would say to be ready to create your own college experience, regardless of what other experiences you’ve heard about. You will end up at the right place that fits you, so don’t be afraid to make it your own. ”
Check out the Alumni Directory to learn more about Khalid and feel free to reach out to him if you'd like to learn more about his college experience!