We asked insiders and experts from various industries to tell us something they think outsiders are unaware of and we’ve shared a few of those responses below.

Lousine Shamamian

I am in a transitional phase in my career at the moment. I have been a television editor for the last 25 years and starting this fall I will be a part-time student pursuing my MSW degree at CSUN. Read More>>

Jeremy Zerbe

I chose a career as a professional composer, because music is a way to document vivid experiences and create connections that go beyond words. It’s about so much more than organizing sounds. At its most fundamental level, music is about transforming data into living energy. Read More>>

Lisa Butala

I always knew that I wanted to make movies and bring characters to life ever since watching “Indiana Jones” and “Jurassic Park” as a kid. Being an actor was a dream that whispered constantly. I was captivated by the screen and the amazing work of actors and filmmakers that have come before me. I love the beauty that is storytelling and how a story can make people feel. Bringing a character to life is an incredible privilege and experience, and I feel very grateful to be able to do it as a career. Read More>>

Echo Xu

Art has always been close to me. My family first dreamed of me becoming an artist, so I began training at a very young age. But in school, I became absorbed in competing academically. In that environment, art was not valued because it could not be scored or ranked, so I gradually lost touch with it. Read More>>

Roshan

I was never the strongest student academically, but I was always drawn to creative outlets like music, dance, drawing, painting, and even computer games. After finishing school, my brother suggested I give animation a try. The idea immediately intrigued me, so I decided to pursue it. That’s when I realized I could actually build a career out of the things I naturally loved doing. Read More>> 

Charlotte Bash

We spend such a significant portion of our lives working, so I’ve always wanted a career that allows me to pursue my passions. Music and theater give my life meaning. I find immense joy in writing, performing, and helping my students discover their voices by amplifying their strengths and nurturing their confidence.  Read More>>

Ryan Urmeneta

When I was a kid, I was always drawing — characters, little designs, whatever came to mind. That love for creating never really went away. As I got older, it just started showing up in new ways, beyond just pencil and paper. In high school during the ’90s, when the shave fade first hit the scene, I picked up a pair of clippers and started cutting hair for friends. Read More>>