Artists and creatives face innumerable challenges given that their career path often doesn’t come with a playbook, a steady paycheck or any form of safety net. It’s definitely not easy and so we asked a few of the artists and creatives we admire to talk to us about why they chose to pursue an artistic or creative career.

Julius Kääriä

In its simplest form, music has always been an obvious way to express oneself, whether in melodic, rhythmic, or lyrical form. Music has always been there and will continue to be. From a young age, we have sought out different things that provoke questions, thoughts, and feelings. As musicians, together we can act as the storytellers and share emotions and experiences with others that we have enjoyed growing up and still enjoy. Read More>>

Aryiel Hartman

I don’t think I’ve ever truly had a choice in the matter. I’ve done so many different gigs and jobs over the years and had the opportunity to chose many different paths, like that of an accountant’s assistant, but every time I would try to veer off course to something else, the arts and entertainment industry would always pull me back. I’m very adaptable and have grown accustomed to never having the same schedule week to week. I almost prefer it that way, even though at times it can be overwhelming juggling everything between bookings, gigs, and auditions.  Read More>>

Justin Boyle

While balancing content creation with the demands of being a full-time student, my passion for storytelling and advocacy remains constant. In high school, I served as president of the Black Student Union. I became a vocal advocate for the Black community in St. Louis—a role I’ve continued in college by leading Brother Connection, our Black men’s organization at the University of San Francisco. Read More>>

Yixin Wang

I pursued an artistic and creative career because it’s the most honest way I know to exist. Growing up between different cultural systems, I often felt invisible or in conflict with the roles expected of me. Art became the space where I could question, resist, and reimagine those roles. It allowed me to express what I couldn’t articulate in words, and to turn my discomfort into something generative. Read More>>

Huy Khiem

Why did I pursue an artistic career? Because from a young age, I was drawn to it. As a kid, I loved to draw, take photos, and do anything related to photography. I was always observing the world around me—watching how light touched faces, how emotions played out in small moments, and how beauty could be found in the everyday. Read More>>

Zhi Qu

Unlike many people around me, I didn’t decide to pursue the arts—or choose theatre as my future career—until after completing my first year of graduate school. Before that, I was constantly drifting between different fields, unable to make any firm decisions. I suppose it was either because I hadn’t yet found something I truly loved, or because I wasn’t ready to admit what I loved. Read More>>