As I approach the end of my college journey, I can't help but ponder the ways in which the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) minor has molded my future plans and my education these last four years. The minor has been instrumental in equipping me with practical skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and an expansive understanding of various industries, while also exposing me to different aspects of the creative world. With graduation on the horizon, I am eager to share how the CCI minor has prepared me and my fellow peers to thrive in and outside of the creative and cultural industries, and how it has impacted our aspirations for the future.
The CCI minor is designed to offer students a unique experience that is both hands-on and theoretical, exploring different aspects of the creative and cultural industries. As AJ Torres’23, Daniella Benabou’23, and Anna Mauldin’23 also approach the end of their college career, they all find themselves reflecting on the impact of the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) minor on their post-graduate and personal lives.
When speaking with AJ, he expressed that the CCI minor provided a “balance to my education and allowed me to work on skills that I may not have otherwise practiced as a Business major”, such as exploring interests in the creative industries and gaining a deeper understanding of their roles in society. Additionally, he noted that “the minor was a great complement to my major and allowed me to explore his interests in a more creative and diverse field while also having the chance to connect and collaborate with students from different disciplines”, which he states “was a significant benefit of the program.” He believes that these experiences in the minor have shaped him into a more well-rounded individual and hopes to take the skills that he has learned with him into his career.
As AJ prepares to graduate, he also relayed that he is “excited to start the next chapter of my life but acknowledge that it is bittersweet.” He recognizes that his life will change dramatically as he starts work and moves to New York City in July to work in investment banking at Bank of America. However, he sees this as an opportunity for personal growth and is looking forward to traveling before starting his new job. While CCI may not have had a direct impact on his post-graduation plans, he knows that the critical thinking skills he developed through the program will be invaluable in his career.
Daniella Benabou, a business major, had a similar positive experience with the CCI minor. She found that “the minor complimented my major well and provided me with a fresh perspective on the business world.” She appreciated the opportunity to think more creatively outside of the traditional business mindset and learn about the various outlets that the creative industries offer. One of the benefits she enjoyed was the ability to tailor her assignments to the industry she is passionate about, which is the tourism industry.
As graduation approaches, Daniella expressed that “it's mind-blowing to think that I’m about to graduate.” However with, "two final exams, three papers and an hour-long presentation left, it feels like school is not yet over." She acknowledges that CCI has helped shape her post-graduation plans, as it helped her discover her love for tourism. She now dreams of working with a major entertainment company in the theme park sector, and believes that CCI played a significant role in helping her figure that out.
Anna, a senior sociology major, always felt like she had a creative side waiting to be explored. This realization led her to seek out a minor that could help enhance her creativity, leading her to find the minor in CCI. She
quickly realized that CCI was the right choice for her when she discovered that all the CCI professors were outstanding and engaging, and genuinely cared about their students' success.
More than that, Anna states that she also “appreciated the exposure I received to diverse creative and cultural industries that I never even knew existed.” She was able to tap into her creative side and develop new skill sets through the program which will be highly beneficial in her future career. Anna encourages others considering the program to step out of their comfort zones and take classes that they may not initially think they would excel in or enjoy.
“You would be surprised at how much you can learn and how smart you actually are!”
As the time to Commencement counts down, Anna conveys that she feels prepared for the post-grad life and is grateful for the experiences and professors she had in CCI, which helped her discover her creative side and explore new areas of work she hadn't considered before. Anna credits Chapman for preparing her well for the future and is excited to start her career as a Branding Account Coordinator at Jack Nadel International's Irvine office. The best part is that her job is in the creative industries!
Marley Seabern, a Senior Communication Studies major, describes her time in the minor as an adventure. She states that "the CCI program sparked my passion and creativity, and it encouraged me to travel the world, pursue a career I never thought was realistic, and approach [everything] with an open mind.
When asked about how the CCI program helped shape her post-grad plans. She noted that "It helped me realize that I am passionate about many different things and has encouraged me to try and dabble in various things post grad." One of the things she's excited about is entering the wine industry because of the culture behind it and the international opportunities it provides. She even hopes to one day receive her MA in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship.
Graduating in just a few weeks, Marley describes her feelings as "bittersweet and exciting." She'll miss her life at Chapman, but she's ready to move on to new challenges. When asked about her specific post-grad plans, she shares that "I'll be working in wine sales, which I'm very excited about. Before starting [my job], I am traveling to Mexico and the Caribbean, and am excited to see what else is in store in the coming years!"
As for myself, Pamela Coelho, the minor has provided me with much more than an understanding of the creative and cultural industries. It has taught me the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking, skills that are highly valued in today's job market. Moreover, I have had the privilege to work as the Social Media Coordinator for the CCI Center for the past two years. I had the opportunity to lead numerous projects, social media campaigns, and blogs that have helped spotlight many cultural practices, art forms, and creative opportunities available to students and faculty around Southern California and the world. By bringing attention to these diverse industries and practices, we’ve aimed to encourage a deeper appreciation and understanding of the richness and diversity of the creative and cultural industries around us.
Lastly, I have been fortunate enough to engage in research projects exploring diverse topics such as the creative and cultural industries, neuro-diversity, content creation, and hallucinations. Through these endeavors I have gained valuable experience in research methodology and data analysis culminating in the opportunity to present my findings at the largest undergraduate research conference in the nation in mid-April 2023 at NURC. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I never thought I would have.
As we all look towards the future, AJ, Daniella, Anna, Marley, and I share a sense of confidence in the preparation that the CCI minor has provided us for success in any industry we choose. We wholeheartedly believe that the skills and knowledge we've gained through this program will undoubtedly stay with us for a lifetime. We can't help but imagine that as we each embark on our unique journeys, that there is a strong possibility that our paths will cross in the exciting and dynamic world of the creative industries.
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