Over multiple days, 192 students at the BYU Marriott School of Business stepped into a small recording space and spoke about choosing their majors, securing jobs and internships, and overcoming self-doubt. Looking into a camera, they shared advice they would give to their younger selves—advice to encourage future BYU Marriott students.
The video project was organized by the Business Career Center, which helps students at BYU Marriott find internships and prepare for careers. “We wanted to provide a resource that would help not only current students but also future students as well,” says Noelani Wayas, the experience design and management career director at the Business Career Center.
As future students search for direction, resources, and advice, Wayas says she hopes that the videos help those facing imposter syndrome to build confidence: “These videos will inspire them to build confidence and to move forward boldly in the next step.”
After listening to students share their experiences, Wayas reflects, “They’re able to recognize some of the strengths that they’ve used to get to the position where they are. When they can respect and embrace and love themselves for what they’ve done and what they’ve accomplished through tribulation, then they can start to respect and love those around them.”
In his recording, global supply chain management student Derrick Anani shared how he chose his major because of the experience he had starting a small business in his home country of Ghana before coming to BYU. He said he would tell his younger self to become a better listener. “The more you listen, the more you ask better questions . . . and the more you understand the world around you,” he said.
Advice from students ranged from practical to more emotional. “Whenever you’re feeling the most stressed,” shared Sasha Rowberry, “it’s probably because you need to trust the Lord more.” Rowberry, a marketing student, says she leaned into her love for creativity when choosing to study marketing. She also shared how she was able to work on her personal goals and build her photography business while at BYU Marriott.
Students offered an array of experiences applying for the different programs. Treven Elliott shared that although he doubted whether his application to the accounting program was competitive, his strong desire to be in the business school propelled him through the process. “Aim high,” Elliott advised future students—even as they face doubts.
Strategy student Sarah Sun Kanell shared how in an effort to secure an internship, she spent time at the Business Career Center learning about resources and practicing for interviews. Her efforts resulted in securing a consulting internship at Bain & Company, where she has continued working since graduating. “Coming out of this experience feels so validating, because I know this is an internship I had to work for,” she says.
Sharing their experiences is one way that Wayas says students exhibited Christlike leadership. “Their unselfish willingness to pay it forward to future students exhibited just that,” she says. “They’re passing on the inspiration to other students, and that will hopefully pay it forward throughout every cohort for years to come.”