Name: Jill Hellwig
Graduation Year: 1992 B.S. Communications, Speech Concentration 1993 B.B.A. Marketing, Management Minor
Major: Double Major Communications and Marketing
Current Position: CEO/Founder Brand New U Coaching
City and State: Plano, TX
Tell us about your career and what you do now.
3 years – Territory Sales Representative/Account Executive- MCI Telecom
14 Years – Corporate Development Executive, Ziglar, Inc.
4 Years – Community Life & Leadership Devt. Pastor Covenant Church/Devt. Director Make-A-Way Charities
10 years – CEO Brand New U Coaching
What is your favorite memory from Evangel?
I am especially grateful to Dr Shirley Shedd, who was my first advisor and set me on a path of success from my very first semester at Evangel. I firmly believe she made the most significant impact on guiding me out of high school. I did not know anything about college and Mrs. Shedd helped to set me first semester’s schedule (21 hours), my major and really just helped me to get acclimated to Evangel right from the start. This was a huge benefit to me as I began my career journey.
I have a lot of great Evangel memories – my favorites are: doing life with dear friends, road trips to friends’ homes and work study for Paul Logsdon and Chuck Cox in the Public Relations and Alumni offices. I also really enjoyed traveling with the Forensics team under Mr. Kelton and competing in Speech competitions. My business classes with Drs. Fletcher and Ribarcheck really stand out to me.
How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?
When I came to Evangel, I had had some success as a high school student, but I still really had no idea about what God wanted me to do for the rest of my life.
Evangel helped me make the connections I needed to take my next steps with confidence. I didn’t always know exactly what my calling was, but there were mentors who saw my talents and helped draw them out of me. I was also able to connect with other alumni who helped me step into the career that I did. My classes helped me have a love for the Bible as well as Business, and as I progressed in my years at Evangel it became clear to me that I wanted to make a difference in the business world as well as making a difference in the lives of others. Some of my years at Evangel were growing and tumultuous years. I think the smallness of the university and the fact that my professors knew me made a big difference in me feeling like I mattered, I was seen and that there was accountability to do all I was called to do.
How did your experience at Evangel prepare you for life after graduation?
Evangel helped me with practical personal growth – Living with roommates, Living far from home, learning life skills, including finding solutions for paying for college and relationship building and sales skills – all drove my work ethic and my desire to succeed. I specifically believe I worked for Zig Ziglar because of the influence of both my parents as well as my professors like Dr. Fletcher and Dr. Manke, who taught from Zig Ziglar books and introduced me to his philosophies about personal growth and business development.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?
The people around you are your greatest asset. Get to know your professors, fellow students and immerse yourself in the Evangel culture. As you do, you will plant seeds of service that will reveal your talents and next steps. I had so many experiences while at Evangel, from group projects to classroom presentations, study halls, choir, class officer and internships….I just feel like I got all I could out of the time I was there, and I would encourage current students to jump all in. As you do, you will be surprised at how much is revealed to you about yourself that will impact your future, your vocation and your life purpose.
In preparing for the workforce, I highly suggest studying and activating your Clifton Strengths, developing them and gaining all the experience you can while in college in internships and other jobs to get an idea of what you want to do in the future.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?
I look for bright, likeminded leaders who know their strengths and don’t worry as much about their weaknesses, who have a positive, growth mindset and are willing to do almost whatever it takes to accomplish goals together.