Major: Business Administration with an emphasis in Management
Why did you choose your major?
I chose my major because I want to work in the entertainment industry. I have always specifically loved the film and TV industry. Many people work behind the scenes to help bring these projects to life, and I can see myself being one of those individuals. I am drawn to the business side of it, as opposed to being behind the camera, doing makeup, or being one of the actors. I thrive when working with others, and I am very much a people person. Additionally, I am outgoing, and I have developed excellent public speaking skills during my time here at Cal Lutheran, which I believe will be beneficial in an industry that requires collaboration.
Moreover, this major offers the flexibility to choose various paths. In itself, this aspect made me feel better as a student, especially when faced with the intimidating question, “What do you want to do after college?” For some of us, we did not grow up knowing we wanted to be a lawyer or doctor. We grew up liking all sorts of things, and narrowing it down at such a young age is tricky. Personally, I always loved film and TV, but peer pressure from my environment led me to choose the biology path as a freshman. I was told that it would lead to a great career, and many of my family members have healthcare professions. It wasn’t until I reached my breaking point in sophomore year and thought to myself, “This is not what I really like.” I also started to consider my strengths in relation to my major at the time, and they did not align. I did not belong in the lab; I belonged with others! I’m talking about collaboration, written and oral communication, research, and public speaking.
Would you recommend it to a future student? Why?
I would recommend it to a future student because business administration is a great stepping stone for various careers. So, again, I want to emphasize that there is not just one path. This should excite you, especially if you enjoy several aspects of this major and not just one. I know people who have an emphasis in management and marketing. I also know people who have an emphasis in management and entrepreneurship. Don’t be afraid to double-dip if you truly have an interest in both; it will only benefit you in your future career.
You can specialize in entertainment, event planning, real estate, sports management, healthcare, education, hospitality, marketing, advertising, finance, the corporate sector, management, supply chain, etc. Why? Because nearly every industry needs professionals with strong business and management skills.
What are your future plans?
My future plan is to find a career I love in the entertainment industry. Of course, that means starting somewhere as an intern and working my way up, but I have high hopes for it, especially with these jobs being so close here in Los Angeles. I won’t have to go too far. Right now, I am thinking about potentially working for companies like Universal, Warner Bros, Disney, Sony, etc.
Are there any particular experiences — in or out of the classroom — that have helped you identify that path?
Yes! Actually, my boyfriend’s parents are business owners themselves, so they have been an inspiration to me for a long time. When you hear someone’s story of how they became successful, the people they worked with, and the situations they overcame, it can be striking. They have the mentality of not saying, “Here are all the reasons why I can’t,” but instead, “How can I get there, and what do I need to do?”
Additionally, my experience during sophomore year, which was my last semester in biology, was quite impactful. I had truly had enough. It felt like I had been bottling up all these emotions and feelings I never had the courage to verbalize. I would go to class and wonder why I was not as interested as others were. Or I would finish a three-hour lab and just feel stressed, unhappy, and miserable. Why? Because I was not being honest with myself, and I chose a major because of the pressure from those around me and their idea of the best career path.
Lastly, in my most recent experience, I had the privilege of attending the “Matthews Leadership Conference” with my fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi. This conference provided all of us with the opportunity to network with various industry professionals. From it, I connected with a man who had just finished working on the Emmys and a lady who is a producer for Disney. The producer was the one who had the most lasting impact on me. She told me that when she finished college, she had no idea what to do with her degree. So for a year, she applied for Disney and finally got in. She eventually worked her way up, and now she is a producer. What was nice was not just her career and where she ended up, but how she did not know exactly where she wanted to go straight out of college. She had this warmth and relatability about her that left me smiling on the phone when I called to tell my mom all about it. She helped me feel less stressed about the future in the entertainment industry, as even she was unsure, but she found her way and put in the work to get to where she is today.