Annie 340

This discussion between renowned meditation teacher Tara Brach and Jesuit priest Father Gregory Boyle really moved me, through its exploration of compassion, mutual healing, and recognizing the inherent good within everyone. Hearing about Father Boyle’s experiences working with gang members at Homeboy Industries truly demonstrated the transformative power and lasting impact of recognizing the inherent virtue and potential in everyone, even those with troubled pasts or tainted reputations. I really appreciated this illustration, and the idea that meaningful change can only come from accepting and understanding others in order to come together and foster true connection. Listening to this interview was a profound reminder that while everyone is going through something different, it is important to convey unconditional compassion to make others feel respected and valued, as every human has the capacity to grow, change, and seek redemption. I appreciated Father Boyle’s reframing of compass...

This quote expresses the power of thinking and acting like a global citizen, and embracing our shared responsibility for humanity. After considering the nuances of this, I think my first step in making the world a better place would be to dedicate my work to creating a initiative focused on equitable access to education, particularly in communities that face obstacles due to their socioeconomic circumstances. Having an education is integral to empowerment– being informed about the world around you, understanding your potential and knowing what you're capable of– and is a vital tool to bridging differences, fostering meaningful dialogue, and providing individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to transform their futures. To achieve the power of ubiquitous education, I would thoroughly address the systemic barriers that hinder the ability for certain communities to receive an equitable education, ultimately creating tangible change by actively building the world we imagine. ...

  1. Write down all the alternatives you had Study abroad for a semester in a country like Madrid, Italy or Australia and have an amazing experience traveling the world with little responsibilities, an experience that I’ll never have again.   Stay at USC and not add extra credits to my schedule, enjoy LA and exploring California, enjoy my last semester with my boyfriend who was graduating, and get a great internship to ultimately focus on my career.  2. Write down why you chose one over the other I ultimately chose to stay home, the main reason being that my major (Music Industry) does not offer abroad options, so I would’ve had to go through another school and add around 20 extra electives to my schedule. I also got an internship, and was excited to have that time to really focus on my career, academics, enjoy my remaining time in LA. However, I also realized that there were a multitude of factors deterring me, such as my intense routine-oriented nature and my reluc...

     The most prevalent topic and question in my life right now is probably what I am going to do post-graduation– my most loathed question. Everyone expects such a black and white answer, a specific job or position already determined, an apartment and living plan already decided, and so on. But the answer is so complicated. There are so many opportunities and fields I want to explore beyond my major focus and internship experience, as I believe there is so much more for me than just a standard 9-5 desk job. I am a music industry major, currently focused on working in Music Supervision, which is the business of pairing music with film and TV, working with composers, producers, and supervisors to create scores and soundtracks. It is definitely my favorite field within the industry so far, as I’ve explored a variety of sectors through internships since freshman year of college – including A&R, coordinating, and licensing at renowned companies like Warner Music, 10K...

Ali Abdaal’s Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You was an amazing read, and I feel very fulfilled with what I was able to take away. I initially chose this book because I was familiar with Abadaal’s philosophies and presence on Youtube, and I was fascinated by his take on productivity which prioritizes wellbeing while working, a value I closely align with. He challenges the “grind” mindset ingrained in society, promoting a balance between intense work ethic and feeling good. He explains that happiness is not a byproduct of success; rather, it is the cornerstone of how we work and live. I think this is an extremely important message, as so many people lose themselves in their work, and forget what makes them happy. I felt very vindicated learning about his philosophies that prioritize meaningful professions that satisfy you while simultaneously challenging you, as I only seek to work in a career that aligns with my passions and interests. I found the book extreme...