My name is Alexa Workman, and I’m an advertising student at the University of South Carolina. I grew up in Wayne, NJ, just 30 minutes outside New York City. During my junior year of high school, I took a fashion marketing class and immediately discovered my passion. At first, I planned to major in marketing in college, but my path shifted as I started thinking more seriously about my future.

I’d always dreamed of getting out of the “Wayne bubble” and seeing more of the world. College, to me, was a chance to explore, grow, and truly be on my own. I’d always loved the South, so I toured several schools but the moment I stepped onto the UofSC campus, I knew I wanted to be there more than anywhere else.

Even though my grades were good, I hadn’t taken AP classes or pushed myself with harder coursework, so my college options weren’t quite what I hoped. I committed to the University of Tampa, reluctantly, after being waitlisted at UofSC. Then, in May of my senior year, I got off the waitlist. I didn’t receive a spot in the Darla Moore School of Business, which meant I had to rethink my major. Advertising felt close enough to my original interests, so I took a chance on it.

Now, as a sophomore, I haven’t even taken all of my major-specific classes yet, but I already know I made the right choice. Getting excited to go to class and learn what advertising really is feels like such a blessing. Rejection truly is redirection, and I’m grateful it led me to a field that feels like the perfect fit.

I can’t wait to work in this industry one day and genuinely enjoy getting up and showing up to my job.