Quinn Johnson
After starting college on the Atlanta Campus, Quinn Johnson transitioned to Perimeter College to be closer to home while continuing her studies. Pursuing a degree in marketing, she hopes to use her insights and creativity to create ethical branding campaigns for companies that make a difference in the world.
Interview by Zohra Basmadjian
Tell me about yourself and your Georgia State journey.
I’m a first-year student majoring in marketing. Last semester, I attended the Atlanta Campus, but this semester I’m attending the Alpharetta Campus of Perimeter College. I transferred there because I wanted to be closer to home and it is also cheaper.
I want to complete my general education classes at the Alpharetta Campus and then transition back to the Atlanta Campus to finish my bachelor’s.
How did you choose to study marketing?
I am a creative person and I wanted to find a way to put that into a career. I thought marketing was perfect for that.
I am moved by advertisements and interested in how advertisements can affect people.
What impact do you hope to make through marketing?
I want to contribute to ethical branding, encouraging brands to show that they do good for the world. We’re in a place where we need to help the world more. When I start my career, I want to work for a company that publicly displays to its consumers that it uses ethical practices.
What valuable lessons have you learned in college so far?
To try your best and whatever the result is, make peace with it.
My first semester, I had good grades, but this semester has been more difficult for me. However, I’m trying my best and not stressing about the little things. I keep going and learning from my mistakes.
I’ve also learned to seize opportunities. College is the time to take risks and do whatever you can.
What opportunities has GSU brought you?
I’ve met a lot of great professors who have given me helpful advice. In high school, you’re told that in college, professors don’t care about their students and you have to do everything on your own. However, a lot of professors do care about their students. I enjoy talking with them, getting their advice and learning about how they got to their career path.
The organizations I’ve joined, the American Marketing Association (AMA) at GSU and the Barbell Club, have both given me great opportunities. They have events I like to attend. Through AMA, I toured the Coca-Cola headquarters. That was one of my favorite events. We got to learn about the brand and its history.
Being in Barbell Club, I’ve built a community around power lifting which I didn’t have before. Within that community, I have found a group of people who support me and each other.
What are some of your goals?
I want to find a job I love, where I can be creative and have a team around me where we build off each other’s creativity, doing things that inspire others.
I want to get good grades throughout my collegiate career, better myself throughout my journey and try different things.
Is there any advice you would share with others, perhaps high schoolers on their way to college?
A principle that I carry throughout my life is being grateful. A lot of times, other people would be grateful to have what you are complaining about or would love to do what you dread doing. It’s all about changing your mindset to being grateful that you can do something.
