Get to Know UBS: Zoey Chu

Name: Zoey Chu

Year: 3

Major: Communications and Political Science

Career Interest: Marketing in Technology

Position: Director of Public Relations

Q: Any memorable internships or professional experiences?

A: My most memorable internship experience was at my last internship at Dynamic Signal in San Bruno. Not only was my first internship that really aligned with what I was interested in career-wise (product marketing in technology), I learned so much in the four months I worked there. My manager was personable and so supportive of my learning more about business and tech, so I had a lot of opportunities to learn about the company, the business landscape, and different positions in the company. I also owned a lot of projects that allowed me to gain confidence and knowledge in the industry. Two words to sum up the experience - mind = blown.

Q: What networking tips do you have?

A: Networking etiquette varies from industry to industry, so I can only give advice for networking in tech, and that is to keep it conversational and even somewhat casual. As long as you're not disrespectful, most if not all of the people I network with just want someone to talk to about their work and other professional matters. The less of an interview it seems, the better! And always remember to send a thank you email within 24 hours.

Q: Best advice someone has ever given to you, in general, or in relation to your career interest?

A: "Collect as many experiences as possible."

The CRO of the company at my last internship told me that people who know what they are doing with their life are either lying to me or lying to themselves, and she justified this with how we can never be certain of what our future holds. So in preparation for that, we should "collect as many experiences as possible" even if it doesn't necessarily align with what we tell people we are pursuing or internally want to pursue. I feel like this advice is applicable even beyond professionalism; every experience is meant to build us into who we are in the future, so why limit ourselves to just a few narrow experiences?

Also, I use this as an answer to the interview question "What are you looking out of this internship" and it usually impresses the interviewers, so thanks Joelle!

Q: What else are you involved with on campus and why?

A: I am also involved with Product Space, which is a fairly new club on campus that trains and educates people who are interested in working with products whether that be designing, managing, or marketing them. For me, that would be product marketing! I'm involved in PS because I want to broaden my technology industry knowledge considering I'm determined to find a career in it.

Another organization I am involved in is Delta Sigma Pi, one of UCLA's co-ed business fraternity. This was my first business community and extracurricular organization at UCLA so it's my home and introduction to the business world!

Lastly, I'm also involved in the local church, the University Catholic Center, as a Student Leader. This organization allows me to give back to the community and tap into my spirituality. Definitely a great break away from all the business going on in my life.

Q: Favorite or most useful class at UCLA so far and why?

A: People think I'm lying when I say I loved Communication 10 because it has a terrible grade distribution and is the weeder class for the Communication major, but I genuinely loved the class. The class is an introduction to all the communication classes in the major and gives a rough overview of each area in the study, and because all the communication classes I've taken so far have been not only practical, but so insightful, I think of Communication 10 almost like a gateway class to one of the most interesting majors at UCLA.

I definitely recommend everyone to take a least one communication class while at UCLA because some people really don't know how to communicate.

Shoutout to Professor Suman!