Point Park POV: Psychology Major Jurnee Durrett-Finney '26

Why did you choose Point Park University?

I chose Point Park mainly for soccer reasons, but I ended up getting so much more. I also chose this university because of the tight-knit community we have, especially in the classrooms. As someone who truly needs a smaller learning environment to thrive, Point Park is exactly that.

What do you enjoy the most about the Psychology program?

I enjoy the curriculum that Point Park offers — it’s been the most engaging and thought-provoking set of classes I’ve ever taken. The faculty is also amazing and has been very understanding throughout my four years here. They’ve helped guide me toward the marketing realm, where I feel I resonate the most. The professors are also full of character, and it’s very rare to come across one who isn’t willing to explain or take a deeper dive into a concept if needed.

@pointparku POV: You come to Point Park for soccer and leave with a whole new career path ⚽✨ Jurnee ‘26 discovered how psychology & marketing go hand in hand through internships, branding projects and real-world experience. She’s balancing student-athlete life while chasing dreams of pro soccer and brand strategy. Trust the process. #PointParkU #PointParkUniversity #DowntownPittsburgh #PointParkPOV ♬ original sound - Point Park University

How has your minor in marketing helped complement your major?

I would never have thought or seen myself earning a minor in marketing alongside my psych degree just a few semesters ago. It really clicked for me in my junior year, when I took Principles of Marketing and Sales 101, and I left that class with a new interest. I took that and ran with it, wanting to understand how the two work together, and I came to realize that marketing is psychology. When it comes to branding yourself or a company, it’s so helpful to look at it from a psychological perspective. I’ve always been a critical thinker, but this has opened up a completely different door for me.

What are some of the things you do as a Digital Brand Strategist Intern at Elation? What does a “day in the job” include?

I’ve been grateful to work under Jack and Georgia (my supervisor and the co-founder and founder of Elation). Over the last semester, some of the things I’ve done include performing brand analysis and creating content ideas. I’ve also had the opportunity to attend multiple events, including a pop-up during the NFL Draft in partnership with Women Who Rock, where I gathered content for events I collaborated on with Club A.M.

I’ve even met a few up-and-coming influencers who are closely connected with Elation. A big part of my role is also stepping back and analyzing things from a psychological perspective. Thinking about what content people want to see and how we can make Elation more memorable.

What other real-world experiences have you had related to your major?

I had my first internship last summer with the Department of Marketing here at Point Park. I worked under Lara Steiner, Kelly Martin, Gina Puppo, Jamye Doerfler and the rest of the amazing marketing staff, where I learned a wide range of things. From managing SEO to interviewing students at our SAEM event at PNC Park, I gained hands-on experience in multiple areas, even stepping out of my comfort zone and getting in front of a crowd during a Riverhounds FC game.

I also learned about print production and handled tasks like scanning hundreds of consent forms and organizing them on a drive. Needless to say, it was a great learning opportunity where, at any given moment, I was meeting someone new, learning about what they do and helping out where I could. Overall, it was one of the best and most flexible experiences I’ve had starting my journey in marketing and psychology.

You are also a member of the women’s soccer team. Can you share what it’s like to be a student-athlete at Point Park?

Being a part of Point Park women’s soccer was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve met lifelong friends and built a family that I’ll cherish forever. Being a student-athlete, especially during the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, taught me grit and that it’s always “about the climb.”

Being a student-athlete has been a part of my identity since middle school, and getting to experience it with the best people made it all worthwhile. I’ve seen Point Park grow from what I thought was a small, niche school into a place that truly thrives with new facilities, more gear than I could’ve imagined and so much more.

These past four years have pushed me not only as a player but as a person, and they’ve played a big role in my desire to pursue soccer professionally. More than anything, the environment and culture of my team are something I’ll always cherish. The four-day road trips, the Culver’s and Sheetz stops and singing Spanish songs when I obviously didn’t know the real lyrics — I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. I hope anyone who joins the team in the future gets to have that same experience and learns to just “trust the process.”

What are your career goals?

My plan post-grad is to play professionally abroad for as long as my body allows. I’ve been an athlete for most of my life, and it wouldn’t feel right not to see that dream through. In the meantime, I hope to become a brand strategist for a company and help connect psychological insights to marketing

What advice do you have for prospective Point Park students?

Expand your horizons, join a club and take a new class. You never know where it might lead. Four years ago, I thought I would become a psychologist or therapist, but I realized I belonged somewhere else.

Point Park — especially the Professional Career Readiness Center — helped make that possible. Ultimately, follow your gut and try the new thing. Meet new people and put yourself out there. I’ve been lucky enough to have friends who were pretty much hand-picked for me through being on the same team, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.

I never fully believed people when they said college flies by, but goodness — it really does. So just hold on, enjoy the ride and you’ll do just fine!

More About: School of Arts and Sciences, Pittsburgh Taylor Allderdice High School, Point Park POV, psychology