05/26/2024
Love our recently graduated executive editor!
Emily Huffstetler ’24 is another Scot who took full advantage of all the various opportunities afforded by Maryville College’s liberal arts approach to education. A triple major who completed degrees in Spanish, Design and Writing/Communication, she also served as executive editor of The Highland Echo; two years as a member of the SGA; and four years as a staff member at Mountain Challenge, the College’s on-campus outdoor adventure partner, all while growing her conservation nonprofit, Build for Bees.
“I’m excited, rather than scared, to graduate because Maryville College has helped me eagerly anticipate what’s ahead,” Huffstetler said. “Sure, it’ll be a big adjustment, but I’m ready to take the next step. Thanks to MC, I’m leaving with tangible proof of what I’ve learned. I have a resume and portfolio I’m proud of. Meanwhile, my thesis demonstrates how I bridge my majors in Writing Communication, Spanish, and Design, as well as my passion for bee conservation, in one body of work.”
In the spring of 2023, she spent a semester studying abroad in Spain, a country to which she’ll return after graduation. She plans to pursue a master’s in either conversation, biodiversity and management, or conservation education, and she’s currently weighing her options and exploring potential scholarships before she finalizes her next step. She’ll also continue her work, albeit remotely, with Blount Partnership, an arm of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce that promotes economic growth and stability, community development and quality of life in the Maryville area, where Huffstetler grew up.
“I’ve been their marketing and design intern for the past couple of years and look forward to taking on new responsibilities,” she said. “My internship at Blount Partnership is turning into my first post-graduate career, and it’s been nice not stressing about how I’ll make a living when I graduate. On top of that, studying abroad also broadened my horizons. As soon as I returned to the States, I started strategizing how to pursue a career abroad. Fortunately, Blount Partnership has been accommodating my goals and has agreed to allow me to work from Spain for the next year.”
To find out about more graduates, follow the link below.