Pizza with Professionals Fall 2015

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Event Summary: The Fall 2015 Pizza with Professionals event was a success! Attendees enjoyed delicious pizza while hearing professionals share their college experiences and advice for surviving and thriving in the “real world”.

The panelist spoke about their undergraduate experiences and shared their tips for success after graduation (which have been added to this post below each panelist’s bio).

Panelists:

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Rachel Dowell

Rachel Dowell was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii.  Rachel graduated from Punahou School and attended University of Hawaii at Manoa for her undergraduate studies.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.  She continued pursuing her education and obtained a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.  Rachel spent her collegiate years working in Real Estate deviating from her passion and studies of counseling.  She learned skills through her working career to help with property management, property sales, and investment strategies.  She currently works as a Property Manager with Colliers International in Honolulu, HI.  She manages nine buildings between Oahu and Maui.  Rachel enjoys singing, the arts, traveling and eating.  She recently returned from a two week trip to Italy and hopes to continue her annual European adventure next year to either northern Europe (Sweden, Norway, Finland) or western Europe (Spain, Portugal).

Advice:
– Find your passion
– Don’t be afraid to ask for help
– “What you have in mind might not work, but get back up and try again”

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Marissa Nishimura

Marissa grew up in Waianae, Hawaii and graduated from Waianae High School. She then went on to The University of Hawaii at Manoa where she graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration majoring in Management. She currently works as a Senior Analyst at Hamada Financial Group, LLC. In her spare time she enjoys watching Netflix and YouTube. Marissa is also the proud mommy of a four-month-old Pomeranian puppy called Lily Aldrin.

Advice:
– Learn what you are passionate about
– Make friends with your classmates
– Make connections
– “Learn to roll with all the punches thrown at you”

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Kamana Seymour

Aloha! My name is Kamana Seymour and I am a two time UH Manoa graduate, having received a BA in American Studies (2008) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2011) from our Manoa campus. I currently work in our Student Housing Services (SHS) office as a Residence Director (RD), which is a full time live-in position that encopases student development, staff supervision and training, and facilites management. My work is part of the larger fields of student residential life and student affairs in higher education and involves daily interaction with UH students, particularly sophomore level students. I enjoy working professionally with students and advising on goal setting and achievement as well as identifying opportunities and paths to success. I’m a Native Hawaiian local guy and was raised in Kona on the Big Island as well as in Nuuanu, Oahu. While I live on campus now, Kona will always be home for me. I enjoy spending time with friends, traveling, and training in martial arts; specifically Muay Thai.

Advice:
– Make the most out of your internships
– “Take your experiences and look for what interests you and apply for it”