How did your education at Chaminade University of Honolulu contribute to your professional success?
Chaminade University does a tremendous job at creating a business work place environment in the classroom, where students are tasked to communicate and collaborate with one another, critically think and problem solve, research and apply what was learned and present on the assignment. With these core skills taught, I have been able to thrive in work and group discussions.
Having entered the Bank of Hawaii Management Training Program in 2017 right out of college, then going on to manage six branches on Oahu and now being a Senior Vice President & Senior Market Manager of Bank of Hawaii’s Branch Division overseeing our West Pacific Branches (Guam, Saipan, and Palau), I credit the majority of my success to my education I learned at Chaminade and I take great pride being a graduate of Chaminade University of Honolulu.
Can you recall a specific moment or experience during your time that had a significant impact on you, either academically or socially?
It is truly hard to pin point one specific moment or experience that had a significant impact on me, as I have had great professors, coaches, and mentors along the way at Chaminade that truly cared for me and made an impact on my life.
I initially attended Chaminade to play basketball on the Men’s Basketball Team coached by Coach Eric Bovaird. However, through the encouragement and challenge from Coach Bovaird and the rest of the coaching staff to immerse ourselves in the student body and join school clubs, I was able to gain experiences more than just playing on a basketball court that has shaped me who I am today. I am proud of myself for listening to Coach Bovaird and challenging myself to participate in as many clubs as I could, joining the Hogan Entrepreneurial Program, Accounting Club, attending the Campus Ministry retreat, Marianas Club, and Student-Body Government.
How did your Chaminade education shape your perspective and personal growth?
My education at Chaminade has shaped my perspective and personal growth tremendously. After my first few weeks of attending Chaminade, I quickly knew that I did not need to be at a largely attended university to get the full college experience I dreamt and heard about growing up. I have been able to call former classmates of mine friends for life, better yet brothers and sisters. I have been able to view my professors as more than just teachers teaching a subject, but mentors who truly care and still message me to this day. I learned more than just a subject in class, I have learned how to adapt in a community filled with students with different values, beliefs, cultures, upbringings, and passions, and knowing how to communicate and succeeded with one another which has helped me in my personal growth and perspective.
How have you continued to invest in your professional development since graduating?
I have referred back to old notes that I took in college to refresh my memory on the core lessons being taught, reached out to former classmates of mine, seek mentorship from established professionals, enrolled into and graduated from the graduate program, and have joined various business boards.
How has your education influenced your personal goals and achievements?
My education has influenced my personal goals and achievement by being able to understand that change is inevitable and if you get comfortable in change, you will be successful in life. What I have learned through my education and time at Chaminade is that many times we set goals for ourselves to strive for but we have to understand that there are many times how we achieve those goals will not be the easy dotted line we thought would happen. There will be bumps in the road and we will have to jump over those hurdles to reach and achieve our goals.
