WS Chronicle

Over 60% of Winston-Salem State University graduates find employment within six months of graduation. That’s how the story goes for recent WSSU graduate and former Rams quarterback Miles Timmons.  

Timmons recently landed his dream opportunity as a global graduate in Reynolds American’s Global Graduate Program. This opportunity directly spoke to the career goals he set for himself.  

“I knew early in my college career that mobility was key for me,” says Timmons. “I hope to have the opportunity in my profession to lead at a level that includes foreign countries or regions.” 

The yearlong program is designed to give recent graduates international exposure and help fast track their careers globally. Trainees will be exposed to development opportunities that will prepare them for a role within Reynolds American or beyond. Global graduates complete the program with a network that spans the globe. 

As a student, Timmons, who graduated in May with a degree in business administration and a minor in Chinese, experienced first hand WSSU’s promise to provide high-impact practices to its students. He studied abroad in Brazil, participated in research projects, and interned at a Fortune 500 company. He says these experiences helped him prepare for this new opportunity.

 “The WSSU experience and education will prepare you for whatever career you want to pursue,” says Timmons. “I felt I was prepared through my minor in Chinese and learning how to analyze situations and events through the lens of another culture. I had the opportunity to grow personally by traveling abroad to Brazil and I grew professionally through opportunities to speak with major donors and on a news segment.” 

However, Timmons says that it was the personal interactions that made the most impact. 

“I feel most prepared by the countless conversations I’ve had with people on campus who always let me know that their door was open to come sit and talk, no matter how many times I may have talked their heads off,” he says. “I owe a lot of where I am now to those individuals who made it feel like a family for me at WSSU.”

After the program, Timmons hopes to be a generalist who has a diverse skillset gained by working in various sectors. “Completing the program is the first step, but afterwards, I’d transition into a lead manager role,” he says. “From there, I hope to be placed internationally while pursuing opportunities to spend time in as many divisions of the company as possible.” 

Timmons advice to students who want to pursue international careers is to step outside of their comfort zone at times. He also believes that study abroad and learning a foreign language is key. He utilized WSSU’s Office of International Programs and the on-campus passport office to assist with the process.  

“I can only speak for myself, but my mindset has shifted … every time I’ve had the chance to travel,” says Timmons. “If you’re going to work or go abroad, every day is going to be a new experience.” 

The Global Graduate Program will begin in February of 2021. Through this program, Timmons will have the opportunity to spend time in London at British American Tobacco, who recently acquired Reynolds American.