Following is a Q&A with one of the 749 students who received a diploma Dec. 16 at UW-Stout.
Name: Kaylee Jondahl
Hometown: Elk River, Minn.
Major: Business administration; emphasis in human resources
Awards, honors: National champion in gymnastics on the floor exercise, eight-time All American in gymnastics, set records on the floor and vault, UW-Stout Female Athlete of the Year 2017.
Why did you choose UW-Stout? I am a huge family person, and UW-Stout is less than two hours from home. I figured this was a perfect distance for my family to watch and support me competing in gymnastics. Also, on my visit I loved how beautiful the campus was. It wasn’t too big or too small. And I heard so many great things about this university that helped make my decision a bit easier.
What were the biggest obstacles you faced in earning your degree? One of the biggest throughout my college career was breaking out of my shell. Learning how to speak up, ask questions and ask for help when needed. I had always been the quiet one who didn’t like to ask for help much, chose the difficult route and tried to do it on my own. Once I realized I needed to ask questions and get help and I started to do so, it became a lot easier for me to adjust and feel comfortable, knowing it would benefit me.
What stands out among your college experiences? The biggest thing would be my gymnastics career. I had a lot of success, and being on a team was an incredible experience. If I could go back and relive those four years, I would in a heartbeat. Another great impact is the genuinely nice people here. There is an incredible amount of wonderful and helpful professors along with all the friends I have made. The athletic department as well — very supportive and caring about the success in athletics as well as academics.
What’s next? I am an accountant assistant at Dehn Oil in Anoka, Minn., working Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I will continue working there full time. I have also been contacted by other companies for different positions and have set dates and times for interviews. I am keeping my options open to see what would be a great fit for me.
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