Sara is passionate about music and entertainment.
Why did you decide to pursue your major?
I decided to pursue my major because I am passionate about Media and Strategy. I have always been interested in learning more about Strategy, Media, and Communications. This strategic communication major helped me acquire knowledge about the field in more ways than one. With this, I have grown to love every aspect of media communications and planning, and I hope to apply it in the real world.
What has been your favorite part of your experience at the Hubbard School?
I would say my favorite part of my experience at the Hubbard school is the faculty. The professors are super helpful and supportive in all aspects. They always go above and beyond to make sure that their students are prepared for the real world after graduation. This is something that I am super grateful for and has been the highlight of my time at Hubbard.
What class or professor has had the biggest impact on you?
A class that had a positive impact on me was JOUR 3241w. Coming into this class I was very worried about my creative ability. Working on creatives scared me a lot because I would always label myself as a “non-creative person.” However, I learned so much in this class about how creativity works and comes into play in various aspects of our lives as aspiring advertising professionals. I would say the reason why I had such a good experience in this class was because of the instructor. Mark Jenson is one of the most thoughtful and encouraging instructors at Hubbard who always goes above and beyond for his students. A large part of my ability to improve my creative work is thanks to Mark. He always motivated his students to push themselves and challenged them in a way that allowed them to improve their work. I found that my creative process improved after taking this course. It enlisted a sense of confidence and creativity that I didn't possess coming into the course. I can confidently say that I am now not as nervous to brainstorm and execute creative ideas all thanks to JOUR 3241w!
What minors, internships, or activities are you pursuing outside of your major? How do you think these enhance your major and/or your future career plans?
Currently, I am pursuing an internship at RCA Records under Sony Music Entertainment. I have always had a passion for music and entertainment. I work in the Global Brand Partnerships department, which is a department in the label that I have grown to love. I think that working at RCA doing what I do works hand in hand with my Strategic Communication major. I have learned so much about, paid media, sponsorships, and campaigns in all of my classes at the Jschool. This has been super helpful because I have been able to apply my education at my internship. Alongside strategic communication, I am pursuing a double minor in Information Technology and Management. I believe that these two minors will aid me in the future as companies become more technologically advanced and initiate the shift towards AR and Meta. More specifically, entertainment companies and brands. Entertainment is one of the industries that could eventually lead virtual realities worlds like Meta. I pursued a background in technology and business alongside my major to have a better understanding of what this shift could mean, and hopefully to be a part of it.
What advice do you have for future Hubbard School students?
One piece of advice that I can give future students is to follow their passion. As long as you are actively interested in what you are doing, it will make the harder days less stressful because you are working towards a goal that you set for yourself. I would also like to say to them that you should always be open-minded in all aspects of your studies. You never know what you want to do unless you try it first! With this, apply to internships, network with professionals, and just get out there because the opportunities are endless.
What is one aspect of your major that most surprised you?
One aspect of my major that surprised me the most was how applicable it is. Everything you learn in the Hubbard School reflects your real life. The materials and concepts are extremely relevant and more time than not I would find myself applying them to my life.
What do you wish you had known about your career path before now?
One thing I wish I would have known about my career path prior to starting would be just how important it is to have a strong network. I can’t stress this enough. Media and communications are fields of strong networks. Most of your learning will come from your curiosity to get out there and meet new professionals. It is crucial that you take advantage of the opportunities presented to you by the school, and that is something that I wish I had done more of.
