Alexander Whitehead
Through his courses in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, an impressive business internship and experience as a DJ for Georgia State’s student-run radio station, graduating senior Alexander Whitehead is poised for a promising marketing career in the entertainment industry.
Interview by Zohra Basmadjian
Tell me a bit about yourself and why you chose GSU.
I am a senior getting my bachelor’s in marketing, and I’m from Atlanta. I chose GSU because of the proximity to professional opportunities downtown and the many scholarship opportunities for in-state tuition, which helped me pay for school. The J. Mack Robinson College of Business is also a great school.
What interests you about marketing?
I think marketing is a very broad major. I hope to work in promotions or marketing with artists or a record label.
Can you share a bit about your radio DJ position here at Georgia State?
I’m a radio DJ at Album 88, GSU’s student-run radio station. Through the position, I’ve learned a lot about the radio industry and made some connections. I’ve also discovered different kinds of music.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments from your college career?
I’ve made the President’s or Dean’s List every semester I’ve been at Georgia State, and my grades have improved a lot compared to high school.
I’ve also gained real-world experience through some of my internships. I was able to do an internship with The Halle Foundation, which aims to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Germany. I enjoyed it a lot because it felt like real business but wasn’t as strict as a corporate internship. Through my duties, I could see the direct effects of helping people through a nonprofit.
How do you feel Georgia State has set you up for success?
I think there are some skills that are only taught by gaining experience in workplace environments. Georgia State has helped me prepare a lot for that by helping me obtain internships.
Also, a lot of the professors I’ve had for my business classes are well-established. They have extensive resumes and have worked for large corporations. I feel they know best about the upper levels of business — what the norms are and what you need to know for interviews and business etiquette. In that sense, I’ve been well-prepared through the J. Mack Robinson College of Business by learning about the standards and norms in the business world.
What are your career goals?
I am very passionate about music and media, so my main goal is to work within the entertainment industry. I feel I’d actually enjoy that as a job. I don’t want to sit in an office all day doing something I don’t enjoy.
What are some important lessons you’ve learned in college?
Do not let the extra freedom in college allow you to get lazy or procrastinate. It’s nice to have extra freedom and have days where you don’t have to go to class. However, you can’t let yourself become too laid back or lazy because your assignments will catch up with you and hit you hard eventually. You have to get used to managing your free time while also knowing when to dedicate it to getting work done. By learning that, I’ve gotten a better grip on my school-life balance.
