Major: Neuroscience
Profession: Radio Journalist, Los Angeles, Calif.
Hometown: Grover Beach, Calif.
What are you doing now?
I'm currently an associate producer and director for Marketplace Morning Report, a national public radio program. We provide what we like to call "teachable moments" about local, national and global economies.
How did you get to there?
I graduated from Pomona back in 2008. I actually decided against pursuing any further science-related jobs or post-graduate programs and wanted to branch out into media work, but because of the still-developing financial crisis from that year and eventual recession, my job prospects were much lower than I expected. I eventually moved to South Korea for work and found a job as a radio journalist which I grew to really love. Later on, I moved back to California, enrolled in a journalism graduate program at California State University Northridge then started interning for Marketplace during the last semester of my Masters program. I've been with Marketplace ever since.
How did Pomona prepare you?
When I think back on it, I'm very glad to have gone through a balanced curriculum of natural science, humanities, arts and other courses at Pomona. In fact, I think I use the writing and analytical skills I developed in my Asian American studies classes more than the skills I learned from my major. The Asian American Mentor Program (AAMP) was also of great help to me. I met many insightful mentors and friends through AAMP and my experience with the program still sticks out as some of the best moments of my time at Pomona.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I like working in public radio and I hope to continue for as long as I can.
Any advice for prospective or current students?
[For prospective students]... do thorough research on all the schools you're considering. And for current Pomona students, definitely take advantage of the Career Development Office (CDO). If there's one regret I have, it's not utilizing that resource, getting the right kind of preparation for interviews, resume building and so forth.