Author Archives: Hon Hoang

Selling Yourself

Congratulations! You've applied for your dream job and made it to the interview stage of the process. However, preparing for the job interview can be stressful and dominate your attention when thinking through every possible scenario that could come up during your face-to-face interaction with the executive recruiter or hiring manager. The key is to have a strategy in place. Be mindful that there is a fine line between selling yourself favorably and selling yourself out of a job.

Have a Strategy

First and foremost, set goals and objectives for the interview. Then, focus on the specific points you want to make and use your time wisely to share your knowledge and proficiency. Interview questions can be philosophical and tactical, and it's your job to be an active listener and proceed with specific and informative answers that showcase your listening skills and your strengths and qualifications.

Let Your Soft Skills Shine

Focus on integrating soft skills as part of your answers by letting your passion, energy, and personality stand out. Soft skills can be hard to translate, primarily because many interview questions are hypothetical. You unintentionally challenge the interviewer to see you in a leadership or management role without well-articulated soft skills. One example and fundamental principle that will always stand the test of time is honesty. It's okay not to have all the answers to every question; providing accurate responses is testimony to your professionalism. It is both commendable and appreciated.

Use the Job Description as Your Roadmap

Please do your due diligence and re-read the job description carefully. Questions derived from the job description will be asked; come prepared to answer with concrete answers and examples. The job description is not only a marketing tool but also speaks to the desired traits and characteristics of the ideal candidate. The anatomy of a well-written position description will have helpful information about the company, details about the position and an overview of the role. In many cases, it is also the outline for most interviews.

Do Your Homework

Research and networking also play an important role when looking to impress the interviewer. Resources are abundant and readily available online; do your homework and watch it pay off. Simple research like a search on the organization's website or Google can provide important insight into its business model, mission and values. In addition, you can find a comprehensive list of their leaders, products, services, philanthropic endeavors, goals and objectives for the coming year. And, if publicly traded, downloading their annual report might have the information you can use to impress the interviewer.

Another valuable research tool is the human network. Tapping in to current or former company or industry employees is as easy as searching on UCLA ONE or LinkedIn. UCLA ONE is the largest online professional network of Bruins and LinkedIn is the largest professional network in the world. Finding the right person may provide you with details about the culture, environment and perhaps even information on the hiring manager to whom you would report. You are sure to find information on the organization's leadership and others who can provide indispensable insight.

Ask Good Questions

The Career Engineering series features the expert advice of Amy Rueda, a 25-year veteran of executive search, who has placed CEOs and C-suite executives across multiple industries and functional areas. Her passion for leading diversity initiatives that focus on change management and employee engagement is reflected in her portfolio of accomplishments. Amy studied political science and was born and raised in Los Angeles.

Email your career questions to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu and Amy will try and answer them in next month’s issue of Career Engineering.

Career Engineering Home Page

A Season of Gratitude

A

t the onset of a new year, resolutions are made, goals are established, and in some cases, specific words are chosen to be the theme for the next 365 days.

Entering his fifth, and final, season at the helm of UCLA’s football program, Bruin quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has labeled the upcoming season with one word: Grateful.

“The biggest thing for me this season is to be grateful; to be in the moment,” said Thompson-Robinson in a recent interview with the UCLA Alumni Association. “I’m going on my last few months here, so I’m living every day to the best of my ability. Coming out here, loving on my teammates, cherishing the time I have left with this brotherhood, and building it up to be the best that it can be for future classes and for players to have a standard to hold onto and a foundation to build on.”

Indeed, for Thompson-Robinson and the Bruins, there is much to be grateful for.

In 2021, Thompson-Robinson started in 11 games and ended the season first in the Pac-12 in passing efficiency (153.94), passing yards/completion (13.69), passing yards per attempt (8.51), points responsible for (182), total offense (274.36), and total offense touchdowns (30). Notably, last season, the second-team All-Pac-12 quarterback was one of three Pac-12 players to claim at least 3,000 yards of total offense (3,018) and finished second in the conference with 21 passing touchdowns.

Collectively, UCLA posted its first winning season in six years by going 8-4 (6-3 Pac-12), tying for second in the Pac-12 South, earned its first bowl game invitation in five years, and led the conference in scoring with 36.5 points per game. The Bruins also enjoyed marquee wins against LSU (38-27) and crosstown rival, USC (62-33).

“I think we did a lot of good things last year, and we’ve really turned the corner and are finally getting where we want to go. I think team chemistry and team bonding is the biggest thing we are focusing on right now.”

That chemistry is also rooted in gratitude. Since the spring of 2020, collegiate athletics has faced its fair share of challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. For Thompson-Robinson and the UCLA football team, both the pandemic and the shortened 2020 season may have been the catalyst the team needed for its successful 2021 campaign, and hopefully, an even more productive 2022 season. 

“Speaking for myself, as well as the rest of my teammates, the uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic actually helped our team. The pandemic broke us up just enough to be able to bring us all back together. You don't fix something that's not broken, but you can alter it a little bit to make it even better. Seeing what it's like to be away from each other for so long and seeing what's like being away from football for so long, we began to realize that we’ve taken it for granted – being around each other and being around football all day, every day. That brought everybody closer together, and it made us a much better organization and program. Also, the way Coach [Chip] Kelly ran the program at that time, and how he kept us safe from the virus and taught us how to do all the little things right was a catalyst to last year’s success for sure.”

Thompson-Robinson and the Bruins now look to take the momentum, camaraderie and gratitude developed over the last four years and piece together something special in 2022.

“We know we have a pretty good team and a favorable schedule, so right now it's just about putting the work in. And that's the fun part, knowing that you don't have to worry about anything but what you can control. A lot of these players have been here for four or five years with me, so it's like clockwork now.”

The Bruins also enjoyed a productive offseason by extending head coach Chip Kelly to a new four-year contract through the 2025 season and bolstering its coaching staff with six new assistant coaches, including Bill McGovern as the squad’s new defensive coordinator and naming UCLA Hall of Famer Ken Norton Jr. '99 as the inside linebacker coach. Plus, the Bruins welcomed a slew of talented new student-athletes and currently boast a top-10 ranking in the 247 Sports transfer portal. Finally, in April, UCLA enjoyed the national spotlight as six Bruins were selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, more than any other team in the Pac-12.

“Fans can look forward to watching a really talented team that's going to be very well-coached with a lot of energy. That energy can be reflected in the stands, in the fans and right back on us. I think it's going to be a great time throughout the whole year, not just the first part or the second part of the year. I think this is the year of consistency. Last year we finally got to see what a team that had mostly bought into the coaching staff looks like, and I think this year we'll have full buy-in with everybody.”

Should all go according to plan, that consistency is going to help Thompson-Robinson cement himself as one of the elite Bruin quarterbacks in program history. Following his stellar 2021 season, the seasoned signal-caller has moved into the top five at UCLA in career passing yards, total career offense, career completions, career touchdown passes and career quarterback rushing yards. Despite these lofty accomplishments, Thompson-Robinson enters 2022 with a level head and a palpable sense of humility.

“My goal ever since coming to UCLA, and the reason why I wanted to come to UCLA, was to get a ring and a trophy and walk home with some hardware. But obviously, there are a bunch of individual and personal stats and goals that are ahead of me in arms reach. The majority of my goals right now, though, are focused on the team and making sure that I can be the best teammate I can be, as well as get as many wins as possible.”

Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the Bruins face an accommodating 2022 schedule that boasts eight home games at the Rose Bowl.

"I’m grateful for the last four years and the opportunity to compete this next year. With COVID-19 and everything that we’ve been through, there's a lot of gratitude that we all have entering the 2022 season. This team is going to be something very special to watch, and I advise everyone to do so. It’s going to be just as fun for the fans as it is going to be for us.”

With a talented roster led by a seasoned quarterback, an experienced coaching staff and an extremely favorable schedule, UCLA football fans, too, have plenty to be grateful for.   

For more information on UCLA football, including how to purchase season tickets, please visit https://uclabruins.com/sports/football.

Recent Articles

Who Gets Hired and Why?

The ideal executive candidate is the sum of multiple variables. Yes, we expect the résumé to shine and the interview to be stellar, but what is the DNA of the ideal candidate?

Integrity is in the genetic code of an honest, sincere and principled leader. It is an ever-present code of conduct that is noble and should be celebrated and rewarded. When composing your résumé, there is sometimes the temptation to amplify one’s credentials. However, your résumé is your calling card and says more about you than you might realize. A person of integrity will be measured when presenting their credentials, not overly modest, but accurate when describing their experience. Nothing turns a recruiter off more than an excessively exaggerated résumé. Integrity establishes the relationship between a candidate and hiring manager.

An accomplished person is highly skilled and well trained. Your level of proficiency, from novice to expert, is relative to the size and scale of your role and organization. For example, it is one thing to be an accomplished CEO of a company with 500 employees versus a CEO who oversees 50,000 employees. Regardless of the scope, they both require a significant experience level that only comes when mastering your craft. Time, patience and practice are the trinity to becoming accomplished.

Sound judgment and experience stems from the culmination of emotional intelligence gained by failure, repetition, courage and success, which helps form one’s decision-making skills. However, it is through knowledge and experience that the learning takes place. Experience is gained in good times and bad and develops the essential skills and behaviors that collectively create insight. Insight, along with factual evidence, is how experienced leaders learn to make informed decisions. When interviewing, you will have several opportunities to share the depth and breadth of your experience; don’t be shy, use this time to shine. You’ve earned bragging rights, just remember to corroborate your experience with tangible examples of success. Describe your qualifications, how they were attained and what value they offer. And remember, along with experience, organizations want to know that their leaders, above all, operate using sound judgment. Leaders demonstrate their strengths in several ways. Some are introverts, some are extroverts, and some are extroverted introverts. Regardless of their leadership styles, accomplished CEOs and executives recognize the importance of building relationships with employees and stakeholders by rewarding innovation and remaining nimble to unforeseen challenges.

What are the traits and characteristics of an extrovert? Extroverts are outgoing and enjoy social settings more than introverts. They don’t require a lot of downtime and they thrive around people. They enjoy being the center of attention and gain energy from being around other people. A few of the most famous and talented extroverts include personalities such as Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey and President Obama. Individually, they express their leadership style in alignment with their personalities, but collectively they are textbook extroverts.

Studies show that 70% of CEOs describe themselves as introverts. Take a moment and think about influential and successful CEOs who reflect the qualities of an introvert. Leaders like Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Steven Spielberg are more reserved and manage quietly by utilizing influence and persuasion to motivate and encourage innovation. Introverts are highly successful and are known to be exceptional leaders.

Extroverted introverts, also known as outgoing introverts, are individuals who exhibit qualities of both extroverts and introverts. They can be outgoing when needed and enjoy meeting new people, but can only endure so much socializing. After a long day of work, they are more likely to retreat and prefer to spend time alone. This combination is a powerful commodity and quite desirable.

An exceptional leader is fundamentally layered. The qualities and characteristics vary from individual to individual and no two look alike, nor should they. Individuality and personality can never be duplicated. Leadership can be loud, quiet, learned and mastered. They may lead thousands, or a few, but the DNA is the same. A strong leader must have integrity, accomplishments, solid and tested experience, and sound judgment. Regardless of their management style, exceptional leaders inspire and influence others to follow.

---

The Career Engineering series features the expert advice of Amy Rueda, a 25-year veteran of executive search, who has placed CEOs and C-suite executives across multiple industries and functional areas. Her passion for leading diversity initiatives that focus on change management and employee engagement is reflected in her portfolio of accomplishments. Amy studied political science and was born and raised in Los Angeles.

Email your career questions to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu and Amy will try and answer them in next month’s issue of Career Engineering.

Career Engineering Home Page

Career Engineering Articles

---

• Navigating Job Loss and Rebuilding Your Career

  

  The recent wave of federal layoffs has left thousands of professionals, many seasoned, accomplished and deeply valued in their organizations, suddenly without work. The abrupt loss has been more than a career disruption for UCLA alumni and others in similar positions — it has been a shock to the system. Job loss, particularly when it’s…

  Read More

  ---

• Career Anxiety and How Parents Can Help

  

  As a 25-year veteran executive recruiter, I had the opportunity this summer to teach a career management course to UCLA recent graduates. It opened my eyes to some startling trends. A phenomenon that surprised me was the rise of "snowplow parenting." This is defined as a parenting style that seeks to remove obstacles from a…

  Read More

  ---

• Gen Z in the Workforce Part III

  

  Part III: Shaping the Future Generation Z has emerged as a formidable force for positive change across various facets of society. They are having a transformative impact on the economy, artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and social justice. As this generation enters the professional sphere, they bring with them a unique set of values, skills and…

  Read More

  ---

• Gen Z in the Workforce Part II

  

  Part II: A Mental Health Discovery If you work with them, you may have noticed that the newest generation entering today’s workforce has some unique characteristics. In our last article about Gen Z in the Workforce, we discussed the business philosophies predominant among 22- to 26-year-olds, citing their application of cancel culture, preference for remote…

  Read More

  ---

• Gen Z in the Workforce Part I

  

  Part I: Understanding Gen Z Philosophies Last summer, I had the privilege to teach a career management course for the Class of 2023, called The Classroom. The Classroom is a six-week program to help our most recent grads from UCLA transition from the classroom to the workforce. The sessions addressed the benefits of: As any…

  Read More

  ---

• Interview Strategies for Success

  

  Landing a job, particularly your first, is nothing short of intimidating. The most challenging part of the process is the pressure to execute a stellar interview. This undertaking is not limited to those entering the workforce for the first time; it applies to everyone at all levels. Let's face it, interviewing is nerve-racking, especially when…

  Read More

  ---

• What to Know About Recruiters

  

  Being contacted by a recruiter is one of the best feelings you can experience, personally and professionally. The experience of being acknowledged as a possible candidate often comes with feelings of accomplishment, recognition and pride. But are all calls from recruiters the same? Not necessarily. What varies are the types of recruiters that reach out…

  Read More

  ---

• What Steps to Take to Land Your Next Job

  

  It's that time of year again when we revisit resolutions we've made for 2023. For those who have stuck with their goals, congratulations! Unfortunately, some of us didn't and feel guilty about breaking our promise. But the good news is that it's never too late to restart. For example, if one of your resolutions was…

  Read More

  ---

• Where to Work

  

  After two and a half years into this pandemic, the workforce is redefining what constitutes the optimal workplace. For individuals seeking a greater work-life balance, the flexibility to work from home offers several health, financial and productivity benefits. For others, returning to the office offers distinct advantages in relationship-building and access to key resources. As…

  Read More

  ---

• Why References Matter

  

  When a company begins to evaluate a final candidate for a position, they often do a thorough background check prior to extending an offer. Unfortunately, some candidates overstate their experience and don't realize they are putting their candidacy and reputation at risk. This is why references matter. Because they help validate the candidate’s achievements. But…

  Read More

  ---

• When a Job Search Feels Wrong

  

  It was hard not to get excited when a recruiter called with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She was looking for a corporate leader to oversee talent management for a global pharmaceutical company. The job description had my name written all over it. My experience and credentials aligned perfectly with the role's requirements. And the best part…

  Read More

  ---

• Selling Yourself

  

  Congratulations! You've applied for your dream job and made it to the interview stage of the process. However, preparing for the job interview can be stressful and dominate your attention when thinking through every possible scenario that could come up during your face-to-face interaction with the executive recruiter or hiring manager. The key is to…

  Read More

  ---

• Who Gets Hired and Why?

  

  The ideal executive candidate is the sum of multiple variables. Yes, we expect the résumé to shine and the interview to be stellar, but what is the DNA of the ideal candidate? Integrity is in the genetic code of an honest, sincere and principled leader. It is an ever-present code of conduct that is noble…

  Read More

  ---

Bruin Professionals: Who We Are and What We Can Do for You

W

hat do you get when you take the best of business networking organizations and mix in some Bruin fun?

Bruin Professionals (BP), of course. Now in its 20^th year, what began as a network within the Alumni Association now has 12 chapters and three affinity groups across Southern California, with over 8,000 subscribers on their BP Exchange forum. It has become one of the top professional networking organizations among UCLA alumni, and even that other school across town doesn’t have anything like it. 

At its core, Bruin Professionals is about Bruins helping Bruins. They do this by following their three Cs: commerce, camaraderie and community. Whether it’s referrals or advice, professional references or friendships, meetings or mixers, the group operates with the mindset that everyone who joins BP has something to gain or profit from their involvement.

Rodnell Ponce ʼ06, the president of Bruin Professionals, first got involved nearly 10 years ago as a small business lender from First Republic Bank. He said, “I literally had never heard of it. I figured this is a good time to do some networking and business development, so I attended a couple of meetings and then made a lot of really good contacts up front. I thought, ‘OK, this can be a meaningful network.’ I started getting referrals right away within the first few months. I met a mortgage guy who was also a lender (Eddie Neiman ʼ80, another BP member) who introduced me to a ton of people and he also referred me a lot of business. It completely revolutionized my practice and I became not just a good banker but literally the top guy at the bank.”

Although Ponce makes it clear, BP is so much more than about making money or growing your business. “I started out looking to see if I can get business out of this, but now even more so, it’s turned into a source for places and resources that I can refer my friends and family to, or connecting my clients to well-known professionals that I know and trust,” he explained.  

Business referrals are a constant staple in Bruin Professional meetings and forums. Examples of these are mentioned in every correspondence.

• Bruce Berman '85 from The Berman Law Firm, referred a client to Eric Lawton '69 of Law Offices of Eric Lawton years ago that is now in litigation. 
• Carolyn Hori '92 from LuxxeLife helped Andrea Best '66 of Andrea Best Luxury Real Estate find a virtual assistant. 
• Christina Rath, MBA '17, from Vego helped Tiffany Chin '10 of The Tiffany Chin Group at Keller Williams Realty Larchmont build out her website and brand.

The selfless connections made each day are what gives this community its value. But its uniqueness is derived from the members’ shared Bruin experience.

Tiffany Chin, a residential realtor and president-elect of Bruin Professionals, started out by attending a BP holiday party. She said, “After about three years of dabbling in it, I realized that I really liked the people there. It made sense for me to be part of a UCLA-affiliated community. I attended an actual meeting for the first time and I just really enjoyed the energy of it. I could tell that people were very passionate about the organization and helping people build their businesses and referring clients to each other. So I was just drawn to the organization.”

Since her first dabble more than six years ago, Chin has participated in a breadth of BP events which are both chapter-wide and chapter-specific. The annual holiday party is their most well-attended event, along with the popular Sangria Mixer, which is held in someone’s backyard, allowing members to get to know each other better in a more casual setting. Chin explains, “When I was appointed as VP of programs and events, that was a big deal! I never had so many people with opinions as to how [the Sangria Mixer] should be run. Because clearly, it was their baby and they wanted to make sure that it continued on.”

Matt Winefield, MBA ʼ00, of Winefield & Associates, Inc. and Hyperion Fund, LP, quipped, “I don’t want you think this is just a drinking organization, but there are a lot of happy hours.” Winefield has been a part of other networking organizations before and found them to be a little stiff, taking a while to get to know one another. He said, “With BP, there was immediate camaraderie. In BP meetings you made instant friends and it wasn’t all about just getting the next lead.”

Loving what he saw, Winefield helped start the Long Beach chapter and later the Real Estate Affinity Group. He marveled at how their launch party for the Long Beach chapter brought out 90 people and many leads were generated that night.

BP has a robust events calendar comprised of monthly chapter and affinity group meetings, social mixers and all-chapter events. There are also sports outings like golf tournaments and Dodger games, and collaborations with other alumni networks such as the Spring Social Mixer with Asian Pacific Alumni of UCLA and the Latino Alumni Association on June 25. Most BP meetings include an educational component or high profile speakers by industry. “We’ve definitely had some heavy hitters. We’ve had a state senator, the L.A. controller and a couple of real estate billionaires,” said Winefield, but the main purpose of meetings is to allow the attendees to network, exchanging Bruin warmth and information.        

Non-members are welcome to attend up to three BP meetings for free. To continue participating, BP follows a dues-based tiered membership model that ranges from $125 annually for young alumni to $500 per year as its regular membership price. The dues cover a member’s attendance for unlimited events, provides member discounts to certain paid events and finances the paid administrative full-time staff who keeps the organization operating smoothly.

During the pandemic, meetings shifted to a virtual format like most businesses, and at first, attendance skyrocketed. Chin recalled, “It took a lot of scrambling and problem solving, but we can thank Kate Pletcher ʼ07 (BP vice president of special projects) for figuring this all out for us. It really worked well for a good amount of time and it made it a lot easier to attend those early morning meetings that start at 7:30 a.m. We adopted a format where we could still have breakout sessions and network within smaller groups. But now people are ready to be in person again.”

President Ponce agreed. “I’m particularly proud of how fast we mobilized and pivoted towards Zoom. We didn’t skip a month of meetings and it was pretty seamless. But yeah, attendance started pretty good at first and slowly dwindled with Zoom fatigue.”     

Out of the pandemic was born the West Coast Chapter of Bruin Professionals. They used the virtual opportunity to link up more cities up and down the West Coast to broaden the reach of BP. “The goal was to take over the nation and the world, but when we realized different time zones meant even earlier meetings, we settled on just the West Coast,” Ponce joked. The chapter continues to meet monthly on Zoom and may spearhead new chapters in the Midwest, New York and D.C. in the future.

Across Southern California, three affinity groups were formed to address some of BP’s niche factions: the Lawyers Affinity Group, Real Estate Affinity Group and the Young Bruin Professionals. Their events vary from monthly to quarterly meetings, and almost always include a speaker meant to broaden their members’ professional development.

There are some assumptions that the type of fields who stand to benefit from joining a networking organization like Bruin Professionals are mainly those in sales, real estate, lending, finance, attorneys, etc. And while it’s true that client referrals are the bread and butter of the group, Winefield suggested people think of it a little differently. “If they’re social scientists or doctors or a researchers, there’s something to be gained from these meetings. Those alumni connections and friendships all contribute to learning about other organizations and enhances your networking circle, which is always good in just about any profession. Plus, they’re seeing great speakers,” he said.

Winefield’s suggestion to those who don’t typically think they need to network was to give BP a try, as it might open up their eyes to the power of the Bruin brand. He lamented, “I find that one of my biggest regrets is not joining an organization like this when I was younger, rather than doing it in my 40s. I think had I joined in my 20s, I would have invested in real estate a lot sooner, so ideas like that can always help anyone.”

Beyond the benefits to its members in generating business referrals and Bruin camaraderie, BP has also given back to the UCLA community through their BP Endowed Student Scholarship. Thanks to the generosity of their donors, especially their BP 200 Club members, they were able to award their first Bruin Professionals Scholarship in 2021 to freshman Liana Posselt for four years. Now, they’re aiming to endow a second scholarship student and are close to reaching their goal.

At its core, Bruin Professionals has always been about Bruins helping Bruins. It may begin as a venture to acquire more business through networking, which then turns into meaningful relationships and an expanded network of Bruins willing to help you and your contacts, and eventually the community, of which you’re now a part, seeks to give back to the next generation of Bruin professionals. 

Matt Winefield summed it up best when he said, “Networking is a long term outreach program that everyone should have. Things don’t happen overnight and the old adage, ‘the more you give the more you get’ is very true for Bruin Professionals.”

To learn more about joining Bruin Professionals, visit BruinProfesionals.com.

Recent Articles

Updates From Ukrainian UCLA Student Olha Shevchenko

A

s the crisis in Ukraine continues, we checked in with Ukrainian UCLA student Olha Shevchenko, exp. Ph.D. ʼ26, to see how she is holding up since we last spoke with her at the start of the war. Olha came to UCLA from Kharkiv in September 2021 and is wrapping up her first year of doctoral studies in mathematics. We first met Olha when she reached out to us to bring awareness to what is happening in her homeland and how people can help. 

In the months since the war began, Olha has had many difficult days. She says, “For the first few months, I was in need of support and people to talk to. I didn’t know many Ukrainian students at UCLA and it’s been hard to find people.” She shared that she has met a few Ukrainian students through a UCLA-hosted support group and a seminar to discuss emergency grants. She hopes UCLA will schedule more similar events in the future.

Studying remains a challenge as Olha continues to worry for her family and friends. She says, “At first it was impossible to concentrate. My productivity is lower than it used to be. It’s been a process of adjusting and doing the things that I need to do.” She recently received a call from one of her closest friends who had been forced to leave Ukraine and resettle in Europe. Her friend’s boyfriend, 29-year-old Serafim Sabaranskiy, had enlisted at the beginning of the war to defend Kharkiv. When he was killed by a bomb dropped from an airplane, Olha immediately flew to Vienna to support her friend.

Kharkiv is Ukraine’s second largest city and home to 1.4 million people. Less than 25 miles from the border with Russia, it is estimated that since the war began as many as half of the city’s population has fled. Until recently, her family remained in the city apartment Olha grew up in. Facing constant shelling and more than one missile strike on the building, her family fled to Olha’s grandparents’ apartment, squeezing six people into a two-bedroom unit, a common situation in these times. Recently, they moved again to a somewhat calmer location in the countryside, although it is not an ideal situation and remains far from safe. 

Olha’s mother, an art teacher, has been volunteering with children sheltering for safety in Kharkiv’s metro tunnels. It is difficult for children to be underground, not knowing when they will be allowed to leave. Through her art lessons, her mother is trying to distract children from their worries, bring them hope and a little bit of beauty. Olha says, “It is incredible how people are doing everything they can to support and help each other. It seems like people found a way to be helpful in what they do best.”

Olha is putting her mom’s strategy to work and looking for ways to volunteer her talents. She is part of a group organizing “Let’s Get Distracted” which offers Ukrainian children free online lessons on a variety of topics including English and Chinese speaking clubs, math games and computer science lessons. She says, “Even for children in somewhat safe regions, life is nothing like it was. Most haven't seen their friends for three months and that is why we're trying to bring a little joy to their lives.”

Growing up in Kharkiv, Olha discovered her love and talent for mathematics. In 2016 and 2017, she competed on a team of four students representing Ukraine facing off against 44 countries in the prestigious European Mathematical Olympiad. In 2017, Olha achieved a perfect score and led her team to tournament gold, beating the Russian team by 1 point. Unfortunately, since we last spoke with Olha, this memory has turned bittersweet.

In late March, Olha’s Math Olympics teammate and friend, 21-year-old Yuliia Zdanovska was volunteering in Kharkiv when she was killed by a Russian-fired missile strike on a residential building. Olha, who had known Yuliia since the seven-year-olds met at a math group, told us, “It’s unimaginable. If you are in Ukraine you are a target — civilians, kids, everyone. Yuliia was such a great person and a talented mathematician. She stayed in Kharkiv to volunteer and help people.”

Olha also introduced us to her friend and fellow Ukrainian, Ivan Pereverzev, exp. ʼ22. The two met at UCLA in a club for Russian speakers. Ivan is from Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital and largest city. At the start of the war, Kyiv came under assault from the Russian army, who faced a stronger-than-expected Ukrainian resistance. His family remained in Kyiv until recently, when they escaped to safety. Their drive from Kyiv would normally take four hours, but instead it took a harrowing four days because the roads and towns surrounding the city have suffered relentless bombing and destruction. He says, “They are safe now. That’s all that matters.”

Since the war began, Ivan and his Ukrainian friends and family have experienced an exhausting cycle of emotions — each setback for Ukraine is an extreme low, while good news from the front brings an emotional high.  

In addition to his studies, Ivan is a talented musician who believes in the power of art and music “to forge an emotional connection which transcends conscious thought.” In February, far from home in Los Angeles and unable to sleep, Ivan composed a song to Ukraine, “2.24” signifying the start of the Russian invasion. The lyrics share his disbelief and sadness,

“I’m afraid how I feel, I can’t say this is real

I know nobody lives forever

I’m an idiot still but I don’t need to be healed

I know we’ll always stand together

‘Cause we stand for nation

Rise, generations

We got one place for your love, one place for your love

One place for salvation, one place for the people

One place for to love, one place for to love

And I just want the rain down, weather crying

Backs to backs, I’m reckless

Dying out, they’re dying out

And we will stand forever, and we will stand forever, and ever

Everlasting wars they wage

Can’t you stop this now, we say stop this now

WE STILL NEED TIME TO LIVE”

Ivan took 16 hours to write the song with two goals in mind — to share his love and support for Ukraine and to express his belief that there is never any justification for war. Ivan had planned to return to Ukraine following his graduation from UCLA, but is unsure now what the future holds. However, he tells us one thing is certain, “We promised our parents we would live, we would carry on the traditions and culture. And that is what we will do.”

Like Ivan, the strength she sees in her fellow Ukrainians continues to inspire Olha. She told us, “I’ve never been more proud of Ukraine. It’s amazing how people are working together, supporting each other and doing all they can to help.” She is currently volunteering on a project at the Ukrainian Culture Center of Los Angeles making first aid kits to send to the Ukrainian army. She shared the project’s wish list for Bruins who want to help. The finished packages will go directly to those in need.

Olha’s hope is that people won’t turn away from Ukraine. She knows that some may hesitate to ask her questions about the situation, but she wants them to know that she is glad when people reach out. She says, “I’m ready to talk about it any time. I feel so glad to know that people care. I feel supported and acknowledged. It’s been very traumatic, I think about it all the time and I’m glad when I can talk to someone about it.” 

Related Articles:

Ukrainian Student’s Plea for Help (March 11)

UCLA Audience Hears Insights About War From Ukrainian Professor as Rockets Fall (March 16)

Podcast Examines Ukraine-Russia Conflict Through the Lens of History (March 22)

Is Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine a “Holy War?” It’s complicated (April 14)

UCLA, Professors Call on U.S. to Provide More Support for Ukrainian Refugees (April 27)

Recent Articles

• The Fire Within: Leo Rochman’s Story of Resilience
• Bruins Who Played in the Men’s FIFA World Cup
• UC Inspires Honors UCLA Alumni
• Volunteer Gratitude Experience - 2026
• Alumni Mentor Program: Dinner in the Dorms

Distant Dreams to Reality: Experience the World With Alumni Travel

I

magine yourself strolling through a city in Vietnam as French-accented buildings cast silhouettes onto the busy streets strewn with merchants and motorbikes as you eventually find yourself in the cascading nature and waterscape of Ha Long Bay. Or visualize yourself floating through brisk Antarctic air as you sail from Ushuaia to Antarctica, staring off your cruise ship, taking in the pristine wilderness of Earth’s last frontier. Or maybe picture yourself walking through the provincial French countryside in Monet’s famed Giverny gardens and then getting acquainted with Paris as you take in the City of Lights.

In the last two years, the concept of travel became as foreign as these lands we hope to one day see, but as the world opens up, traveling is closer to becoming a reality. The best part about dreaming of these places is that UCLA Alumni Travel can help you plan these trips with ease. Established in 1941, Alumni Travel has expert tour professionals to aid you with worry-free travel from beginning to end, and on most tours you’re accompanied by a UCLA professor who provides educational insights for your journey. Your experience includes 4- to 5-star accommodations and little concern about what to do, what to see and how to get there. With Alumni Travel, you can also see the world with like-minded, friendly Bruin travelers, where your past shared experiences lends itself to creating new memories and lasting friendships. These Bruin travelers will tell you why they travel and why they choose to do it with UCLA time and again.

WHY TRAVEL?

To some it’s about taking a break from the mundane, escaping to see life through a new perspective. For Linda and Charles ’62 Philipps (five trips with Alumni Travel), they “travel to broaden our horizons and better understand the world we live in.”

They explain, “We enjoy connecting with people from other cultures and sharing our experiences with them and other alumni. We have forged lasting relationships with some of the alumni.” Building these connections is made easier during travel where the shared experience brings forth a curiosity about others and an openness to engage. These moments of interaction can turn into lasting memories because of where we go and whom we’re with.

For Judy and Bob ’74 Woolsey (16 past trips and two upcoming), traveling is something that “provides us with the personal experiences associated with other cultures, and we have been fortunate to experience how they differ from our own.

Traveling isn’t just about getting away from what you know, but getting to know what is away in the unfamiliar and the unknown. It’s not only an exploration of a destination, but insight into oneself, the world we live in and what we want to learn. When it’s all said and done, these moments and memories are brought back home to become a part of you. In most cases, the memories last longer than anything you may have bought on the trip.

THE WORLD IS YOUR CLASSROOM

Exploring and understanding are at the core of why people like Tu-Chen Chiang ’84 and Dean ’82, M.S. ’85 (one trip taken and one booked for 2023) travel. They enjoy being able to experience other cultures and histories. Dean says, “I’m a big fan of history so learning is a big part of travel.”

As a historical enthusiast, Dean and other members of his tour benefitted from having a world class professor guide them through their journey on the Amalfi Coast. In the company of Professor Kathryn Morgan from the UCLA Department of Classics, they were able to experience Naples, Pompeii and the Isle of Capri through rich details and knowledge that goes beyond a normal tour.

One of the many benefits of going with Alumni Travel is getting to learn from UCLA professors as they guide you through the history, biodiversity or geology of your destination. The Woolseys advise that when traveling with an accompanying professor, “Ask the questions you want to ask. You will find them to be an incredible source of information about the sites and cultures you are visiting.”

Professors offer a wealth of stories and facts that go beyond what you can quickly read online or what typical guides will present. Some examples of this are:

• Ravello is known for its annual music festivals
• Amalfi is one of the most significant medieval trade and mercantile centers
• Positano is the classic town of pastel-colored houses and shops ascending up the side of coastal cliffs
• Pompeii and Herculaneum are two of the ancient Roman cities destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D.
• There are Three classic Greek temples at Paestum

Travel Made Easy

Another benefit of using Alumni Travel is the level of care and organization that the staff ensures with every trip. After the Chiangs' first trip with Alumni Travel to the Amalfi Coast, they marveled at how hassle-free and wonderful the tours were, how they were able to experience “a safe and comfortable trip during the pandemic.” They said most, if not all of the minutiae associated with planning were taken care of, such as flights, lodging, meals and places to see. Linda and Charles Philipps agree saying, “It takes the guesswork out of travel by sourcing knowledgeable tour directors and local guides, and creating an itinerary and activities that highlight the area and maximize your experience of a new culture.”

These tours are structured to optimize for time and experience, but there is also opportunity to explore freely and through expert recommendations. The Woolseys recall, “We had very memorable activities and a great effort from Alyson Beckman, our accompanying UCLA tour host.” They explain that “due to her persuasion and encouragement, we participated in a helicopter tour to the local Alaskan glaciers that will forever be one of our special memories.” Each tour has its plans and itineraries, but by engaging with the guides and tour group, which is usually a small size of around 24 people, these moments become personalized experiences that grow into irreplaceable memories.

Let Alumni Travel ease your concerns as you turn that dream into reality with your next vacation. Perhaps that place will be a 12-night adventure on a Journey to Southern Africa or perhaps an exploration of New Zealand as you find your way through the Land of Long White Cloud? If you’re seeking a comfortable, educational, enjoyable experience with Bruins, just choose your destination and Alumni Travel will help take care of everything else.

Visit UCLA Alumni Travel to learn more.

• 310-206-0613
• Open Monday – Friday
• Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• travel@alumni.ucla.edu

Recent Articles

Going Global: A Lifetime of Learning From Studying Abroad

I

n-person summer study abroad programs are returning for the first time since the pandemic. It’s the chance of a lifetime to learn about distant cultures and broaden horizons, but it’s really just the beginning of how much students have to gain from international travel. From finding new career paths to forming lifetime friendships, UCLA alumni reflect on the value of studying abroad and serve as a reminder that it is never too late to go global.

For John Arboleda ’96, going global is a mindset. Since participating in the University of California Education Abroad Program (EAP), Arboleda’s passion for travel has taken him across the world. Arboleda, who is also a former member of the UCLA Alumni Association Board of Directors, says that the perspectives he has gained abroad enables him to effectively communicate with people of all backgrounds and navigate a range of challenges—from exploring Machu Picchu by himself in the summer entering his senior year at UCLA to making the decision to leave everything behind and move to Germany to begin his life working abroad. His dedication to exploring the world beyond Los Angeles long after graduation only proves that traveling is a timeless way of engaging in continued learning and exploration.

While Arboleda began his international journey in Argentina and Chile as an EAP student, he has worked in Europe for the past 18 years and currently lives in Barcelona with his family.

“This is a life we never imagined, so for me, it's never stopped,” Arboleda says. “It's just been the next chapter of my EAP experiences.”

As Arboleda navigated unfamiliar public transit systems and balanced the demands of his courseloads in Latin America, he also forged lifelong friendships. In Santiago, Arboleda encountered a UC Berkeley student who was also looking for housing. Together, they sought out a local family renting the extra rooms of their home.

Today, Arboleda says, that UC Berkeley student has become his best friend. She continues her own travels abroad during her regular visits to Arboleda and his family in Barcelona. The former EAP participants, whose friendship was formed across continents, have enjoyed watching their children grow up together during the families’ yearly reunions—a testament to the unexpected benefits of studying abroad.“

For me that was like, ‘Wow, that was a great program,’” Arboleda says. “But I think that program can be as much as you want it to be, and it was definitely much more than I expected.” Years after his own experiences abroad, Arboleda has helped other Bruins make the most of their travels. Four years in a row leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Arboleda invited UCLA students in the Spanish department into his Barcelona home. As he introduced students to his children and showed them around his apartment, Arboleda proved that connecting with UCLA's vast alumni network can enrich the student experience.

For Megan Jensen ’08, studying abroad in Italy and Mexico was initially a way of strengthening her language skills and earning credits toward her degree. However, she returned to the U.S. with a greater passion for international education and a career path that would take her across the globe.

Jensen built upon the international development coursework she had taken in Mexico and pursued a master’s degree in international education. She has since continued to grow her global mindset and expand on her travels abroad after receiving a Fulbright grant to work in South Africa and develop literacy programs for local high schools.“

Being in Mexico and doing that program helped me to explore how different communities experience literacy,” Jensen says. “That exploration, it really just validated for me my own desire to support people in local communities in accessing education.”

When asked what she anticipates students will get out of their experiences abroad this summer, Jensen says that she hopes Bruins will find whatever they’re looking for as they embark on their international journey. She believes the return of in-person study abroad programs can bring happiness and fulfillment to students’ lives after living in a largely virtual world throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“(Study abroad) can also just serve the goal of having some fun, because life during the pandemic has not been very fun for a lot of people,” Jensen said. “Being able to have the opportunity to travel again, I hope, just brings some joy and adventure.”

Malika Pandey, a third-year student majoring in political science and public affairs and minoring in education studies, hopes to follow in the footsteps of Arboleda and Jensen by forging her own adventures in Colombia this summer as a member of UCLA’s Global Internship Program. After growing up in Southern California, Pandey says she is excited to learn more about Colombian culture and art, while also building upon her own Spanish speaking skills and passion for educational policy.

“I wanted to move somewhere that was different, somewhere that I would learn a lot about myself as well as the culture in the country,” Pandey says. “My view of the world is limited by the fact that … those around me, we all come from the same kind of common culture and the same kind of knowledge base.”

However, upon the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year, Pandey was no longer a stranger to the world beyond Los Angeles. As a participant in the UCLA Quarter in Washington Program in spring 2022, Pandey developed a new set of skills which empowered her to live over 2,000 miles away from home for the first time. From learning to take advantage of D.C.’s professional networking culture to navigating the metro system on a daily basis, Pandey successfully passed a 10-week crash course in adapting and adjusting to a new way of life.

Perhaps most important, Pandey says that living in D.C. has helped her realize that she can find happiness beyond California—something that she hopes to continue to learn this summer.

“I have a lot of appreciation for other people and other ways of living your life,” Pandey says. “Applying that to Colombia, I think it'll be the same thing, but on an even more drastic scale.”

The opportunities UCLA provides through its study abroad program are invaluable. For many Bruins, it’s just the beginning of what can turn into a career exploration and a lifelong learning experience.

Recent Articles

• 
  The Fire Within: Leo Rochman’s Story of Resilience
• 
  UC Inspires Honors UCLA Alumni
• 
  UCLA AAP Alumni Spotlight - Adrianos Facchetti ’01, J.D.
• 
  The Story Behind Jackie Robinson’s 1946 Reintegration of Organized Baseball
• 
  UCLA Prytanean Celebrates Its Centennial

Lessons I Learned at UCLA By Antonia Klima, Class of 2021

W

hen I began my studies at UCLA in the fall of 2017, I was thrilled to be attending the No. 1 public university in the nation as a psychology and theater minor. I was hopeful that I would make lifelong friends and create memories that I would cherish forever. But most of all, I couldn’t wait to enjoy the delectable food at the famous UCLA dining halls. While my time at UCLA may not have gone exactly as I had originally envisioned, I am grateful to have learned lifelong lessons that will hopefully help future Bruins.

Be Present
It is easy to get caught up in the blue and gold spectacle that is UCLA, with the sports games, tailgates, bonfires and celebrations. But make sure to consistently take mental pictures because you will want to remember everything when you’re gone. Even the little things: picnicking on Janss, walking back to The Hill from class or even grabbing dinner with someone on your floor. You never know what the future holds so be present in the now.

Be Confident
As a student at UCLA, you will find yourself in classes with the highest achieving students from all over the world. Don’t let your classmates intimidate you or make you feel like you don’t deserve to be there. Push the urge to give in to imposter syndrome aside and remember that you worked your butt off to get to this moment and you can do it again!

Be Flexible
College is full of unknowns. Don’t get stuck in a fixed mindset of needing to take certain classes at certain times or live in certain areas. You never know, maybe not being able to take that geography class sophomore year will allow you to take something completely different and will help you find a new interest. Or maybe a fire near campus will cause you to evacuate but will ultimately allow you to make some great memories with your friends away from Westwood. Planning is always helpful, but make sure you have an eraser handy.

Be Yourself
Nobody knows you better than yourself, so why not ensure that those you meet get to see the true, authentic you? Obviously, this is much easier said than done, but at a place like UCLA, don’t try to be someone you’re not just to fit in with a friend group or organization on campus. Don’t be afraid to sing your heart out at your dorm’s karaoke night or go on and on about your favorite movie. As Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.”

Antonia Klima graduated in June with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in theater. She will be attending The George Washington University this fall to pursue a Master’s in Forensic Psychology to further her career goal of becoming a criminal profiler for the FBI. Originally from Studio City, Klima founded the Hellenic Student Association at UCLA her freshman year and served as a marketing assistant in the Alumni Association in her final three years.

Lessons I Learned at UCLA Series:

• 
  Lessons I Learned at UCLA, by Barbra Lyons, Class of 2023
• 
  Lessons I Learned at UCLA By Antonia Klima, Class of 2021
• 
  A Letter to My Freshman Self: Five Things I Learned at UCLA

Recent Articles

• 
  The Fire Within: Leo Rochman’s Story of Resilience
• 
  UC Inspires Honors UCLA Alumni
• 
  UCLA AAP Alumni Spotlight - Adrianos Facchetti ’01, J.D.
• 
  The Story Behind Jackie Robinson’s 1946 Reintegration of Organized Baseball
• 
  UCLA Prytanean Celebrates Its Centennial
• 
  Building Community: UCLA Disability Alumni Network Focuses on Belonging and Visibility

A Letter to My Freshman Self: Five Things I Learned at UCLA

D

ear Hedy,

Congrats on becoming a Bruin! You’ve worked so hard to get this point, and you’re finally about to start your first quarter at the (soon-to-be) #1 public university in the nation!

If you’re reading this, it’s probably September 2016, and you’ve just moved into your new dorm in De Neve Dogwood 104. You’re worrying about how you’ll possibly make friends and wondering what the next four years of your life will look like. As your future graduated self, I won’t tell you exactly what will happen, but I can tell you that everything works out the way it’s supposed to in the end. To assuage some of your worries, I’ve included some advice that I wish someone had told me when I was in your position. The points in this letter aren’t profound pieces of wisdom, but they are simple truths that will make your time at UCLA a lot less stressful the sooner you grasp them.

Your major does not define your career or your future. Don’t feel pressured to pick a more “practical” major that you’re not actually interested in. It’s fair to be concerned about post-grad financial stability, but unless you’re going into a highly specialized field like accounting or anything in STEM, what you choose to study will have very little bearing on your career outcomes. Because at the end of the day, it’s the soft skills, work/extracurricular experience and social/professional networks gained outside the classroom that will land you that dream job or get your foot in the door in a particular field. So don’t spend all your time studying, and get involved on campus! And go ahead and major in what you’re truly passionate about – whether that’s communications, Asian American studies or history. Don’t listen to people who will try to dissuade you from pursuing any major because it is “useless” or “impractical.” Even if a particular major doesn’t align exactly with your career goals, the critical thinking and communication skills you learn will carry you far anywhere you go, and the genuine passion you hold for your studies will shine through to those around you in the way you naturally seek to challenge and push yourself to greater heights.

It’s not the end of the world if you fail an exam or have to retake a class. You’re probably used to getting A’s on all your tests and in most of your classes in high school, so getting a D on your first college midterm in that lower-division math class is going to be quite jarring. But don’t put so much pressure on yourself to get the same grades you did in high school. UCLA is supposed to be academically challenging! Chances are, even some of the smartest students here have probably also failed a test or retaken a class at some point in their college careers. Encountering these problems doesn't make you a failure. If anything, it is a testament to your tenacity and ability to pick yourself back up after you’ve fallen. At the end of the day, your grades do not define who you are, and success is about so much more than achieving a high GPA.

Don’t feel pressured to become best friends with the first few people you meet in college or feel bad about not finding a friend group your first year. When you don’t know anyone on a campus as large as UCLA, it can be very tempting to cling onto the first few people you meet in orientation, in the dorms or in class. While it’s fantastic if you’re actually able to find genuine friends in these situations, it’s perfectly fine if you don’t have anything in common with them either. They are just the first of dozens of new people you will meet on campus in your first year, so don’t feel rushed to be friends with everyone right off the bat. You may feel lonely at times, but remember that the majority of other freshmen are also in the same boat. Forming close-knit friendships will take time, and they won’t come right away. As you become more involved with various campus activities over the next few years, you will slowly find like-minded people who share and understand your values, interests and goals, and when you do, you’ll know you’ve found your people.

Moving away from your family and living on your own isn’t as scary as you think. By the time you’re reading this, you’ve probably already said goodbye to your family and cried as you sat in your new dorm room, feeling the most alone you’ve ever felt in your entire life. It’s daunting — the act of moving hundreds of miles away from home to live on your own for the first time in a new environment where you don’t know anyone. But as cliche as it sounds, it gets better, and you will get the hang of it over time. You will still feel homesick every now and then, especially during this first year, and find yourself counting down to the next time you’ll be able return to the warm, safe cocoon that is home. But each day you will find yourself missing home just a little less and feeling just a little more confident. Learning to be independent and self-sufficient will make you realize just how capable you are and push you to reach for greater heights in other areas of your life.

You deserve to be here, and don’t let yourself or anyone else tell you otherwise! Given the competitiveness of UCLA, it can be very easy to fall prey to imposter syndrome. It is terribly easy to start comparing yourself to others who are seemingly smarter, more ambitious or more successful. But the truth is, nobody has it all together, no matter how perfect they appear in public and on social media. Moreover, other people’s achievements do not negate your own, and you deserve to be here just as much as everybody else. You’re going to do great things, just you wait!

Sincerely,
Hedy Wang, Class of 2020

Hedy Wang graduated in June with a B.A. in economics and communications and a minor in film, television and digital media. She recently obtained a full-time position as an assistant media planner for RPA Advertising in Los Angeles. Originally from San Jose, Wang was heavily involved with the Daily Bruin for all four years of college and served as a marketing assistant in the Alumni Association in her final two years.

Lessons I Learned at UCLA Series:

• 
  Lessons I Learned at UCLA, by Barbra Lyons, Class of 2023
• 
  Lessons I Learned at UCLA By Antonia Klima, Class of 2021
• 
  A Letter to My Freshman Self: Five Things I Learned at UCLA

Recent Articles

• 
  The Fire Within: Leo Rochman’s Story of Resilience
• 
  UC Inspires Honors UCLA Alumni
• 
  UCLA AAP Alumni Spotlight - Adrianos Facchetti ’01, J.D.
• 
  The Story Behind Jackie Robinson’s 1946 Reintegration of Organized Baseball
• 
  UCLA Prytanean Celebrates Its Centennial
• 
  Building Community: UCLA Disability Alumni Network Focuses on Belonging and Visibility

Image Gallery