Jessica Brooks
School, Year: Carleton College, Senior
Major: History
Meslow First Generation Scholarship, UPS Foundation Scholarship
What are you doing right now?
I am interning at Cargill in human resources, in information technology services. Cargill provides opportunities for exploration into different fields regardless of your background, which reminds me of my college. I would love to work for Cargill in the future.
What makes you excited about history?
My first classes at Carleton were in history. I knew right away I wanted to be a history major. It was a harder sell to my mother. I was able to explain to her that most CEOs of Fortune 500 companies were history majors in their undergraduate programs. Primarily, I was excited because there is no set path for history majors, but also the analytical, critical thinking and research skills history majors acquire can benefit us in numerous different fields.
What is your dream job?
There is nothing I enjoy more than getting other people excited about the things I’m excited about. When I am passionate about something I know what that something is about completely, and sharing that with other people is fun for me it’s not work. This falls into the human resources field. I have enjoyed different corporate internship experiences at both Target and Cargill.
What would you say to younger students making college decisions and planning their futures?
Do not be afraid to ask questions.
Who is the biggest influence in your life?
My grandmother, Charlotte Reynolds, was the biggest influence in my life. She was the rock of our family. She overcame many barriers having only a sixth grade education, and spending a portion of her life in boot camps and prisons. Even with all of those things to hold her back she still supported our family financially and nurtured each of us emotionally. She never could read or write very well, but she taught me how important my education was.
"Do not be afraid to ask questions."
—Jessica Brooks