I’m from Puerto Rico and I chose to come to Columbia because when doing my undergraduate studies also at Columbia, professor Vanessa Wright from the business department, recommended this Masters in Arts management program. Also, I already had a great experience when completing my bachelor’s in audio design and production and a minor in Music Business at Columbia. That also influenced my decision-making when selecting a university.

My experience moving further into the business side of my industry is something I wouldn’t have expected when I was 18 years old. When you’re a kid, you think that the vision you have at the moment is the only vision. With time, we learn there is a whole array of possibilities in regard to what we are going to do in life professionally. I fell in love with the business side of the music industry and can’t wait to keep mastering it.

Well, I never actually made a full switch. It has always been a combination, that’s why I minored in Music Business. Since I feel that both fields are directly related to my goals and dreams, I had to study both. I chose to do my master’s degree in the business side because I felt there is a lot more to learn from it and because of how interesting it is. Studying the business side of the music industry more in-depth gives me perspectives I didn’t know existed.

My experience as an undergraduate was great. Columbia College Chicago’s audio department and its programs are phenomenal. I also participated in many activities throughout my undergraduate years. For example, I was nominated for the 2021 Hokin Honors Exhibition and was also chosen by the Audio Arts and Acoustics department from the university to represent them in the 2021 Manifest Exhibition. My experience of being a graduate student until this day has also been great. I like graduate studies better because I feel that our professors and peers are all on the same page. We are all professionals and everyone is centered and focused on their studies. We are also all adults participating in a much more mature environment.

The Business and Entrepreneurship department has definitely been beneficial in many ways. They have given me very useful tools and knowledge that I now apply in the real world. I have gained opportunities to showcase my work and develop my visions and goals even further. I have also been introduced to great faculty members as well as great classmates resulting in beautiful positive relationships.