Student influencer Mykayla Capeles how she connects with others online and off
One of the Seven Social Standards that The Social Institute believes in is: Finding Your Influencers. This means surrounding yourself with positive role models who support you and encourage you to play to your core. To help students find these positive and credible influences, we began our Student Influencer Program. Each week we select a different student to take over our Instagram and highlight how they act as a positive influence and inspiration in their communities.
This week we are excited to introduce Mykayla Capeles. Mykayla is a senior at the University of South Carolina where she studies Public Relations and is a member of the rugby team. Currently, Mykayla is a marketing intern here at The Social Institute. She also works with the University of South Carolina Alumni Association to spotlight recent graduates. Mykayla loves to work out, travel, read, and listen to podcasts.
Recently, we interviewed Mykayla to learn more about her. Here’s what she had to say:
What do you value about yourself or others?
Mykayla: I value my loyalty to my friends and family. I always want to be there for them like I know they are for me no matter how busy our days are.
What are your personal goals?
Mykayla: A personal goal of mine is to graduate college in December with a 3.9 GPA! I hope to find a job that inspires me every day and makes a positive impact on the world. A fun goal of mine is to travel to at least 100 different countries.
How have you felt since returning to in-person school?
Mykayla: I expected to feel anxious, and sometimes I still am due to being a senior with a lot of responsibilities outside of classes, but Carolina will always be my home. Go Gamecocks!
What are the things you try to accomplish each day?
Mykayla: I try to read every day, have a meaningful conversation, and only submit projects I’m proud of.
What or who inspires you most?
Mykayla: I am a very self-motivated person, so I don’t need a lot of motivation. But when I do, I talk to my parents. They inspire me to have a life like theirs and to not stop until I get there, or beyond.
How has social media acted as a positive influence on your life?
Mykayla: Social media has allowed me to connect with my friends from high school who I don’t talk to much anymore. I also love seeing pictures around the world and aspire to be able to take the same picture one day. Seeing those pictures inspires me to be successful after graduation so that I can travel the world.
Of our Seven Social standards, which one would you most resonate with and why?
Mykayla: I strongly resonate with Strike A Balance. When I am out to dinner with my friends, we all try to put the phone away and have meaningful conversations. Life gets busy, so having those moments to put the phone down is a great trait to have.
If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what advice would you give to her about navigating social media or social relationships?
Mykayla: Unfollow someone if you start to compare yourself. Social media can be unrealistic; people, including myself, are only posting the highlights. It’s important to have a positive headspace when going online and know how important and loved you are despite the number of likes and followers you might have.
Mykayla is a great example of what it means to Handle The Pressure of social media. We love her advice to keep a positive headspace when scrolling online. We are excited to have her as a part of our team and to watch her continue to make an impact on students around the world. If you know a student who is accomplishing great things, we want to highlight them! We love sharing impressive students with the world. Contact us here.
About The Social Institute
The Social Institute partners with schools nationwide to empower students, families, and educators to positively navigate social-emotional health, social media, and technology. Schools access our student-respected, turnkey curriculum through WinAtSocial.com, an interactive, gamified learning platform. With solutions for students, parents, and educators, we offer a systemic and comprehensive SEL program through a unique and positive approach. We are proud to serve public and independent partners such as Ravenscroft School, Woodward Academy, Oldfields School, All Saints Episcopal School, Lake Forest School District, Boston Public Schools, and more. For more information on how to empower your students to make high-character decisions online and off, please contact us.