UCLA Extension alumni, friends and partners gathered on Oct. 9 for the inaugural event of the new UCLA Downtown Bruin Collaborative, a space that will serve as a gathering place for future classes, workshops, civic forums and more. That night, people came together to examine and celebrate the power of certificate programs and the impacts they have on career pivots, upgrades and wholesale changes.
“We’re really excited for this panel tonight,” said Eric Bullard, dean of the Division of Continuing Education and UCLA Extension. “Being in this building is quite significant for us. Please use this as an opportunity to stay connected to UCLA and UCLA Extension.”
The Certificate to Career Panel and Networking Reception invited three distinguished UCLA Extension alumni to share insights from their professional journeys, lessons learned and how UCLA Extension shaped their careers. A networking reception followed.
“Tonight really is all about transformation,” said Nisha Chauhan-McGrath, director of UCLA Extension Alumni Relations, citing the alumni stories and the adaptive reuse of the building space.
The panelists agreed that confidence was one of the most important outcomes from participating in UCLA Extension certificate programs. William Samayao said he began his journey to complete the Business and Management of Entertainment certificate in 2021. He graduated this June.
“It took me about four years to do this program, but that was the most rewarding and exciting thing about the UCLA Extension experience. I got to really do this on my own time,” he said.
For Rosa Costanza, working toward a UCLA Extension certificate meant she found a pathway to pivot in her career. Previously, she worked more on the technical side of the Hollywood profession. Then a script she workshopped in class ultimately became a short film that was selected to the Cannes Film Festival. Her life completely changed. She cited having relevant instructors who are actively working in the industry as an incredible advantage.
“When you take classes from your peers and people in the industry, that means you’re staying current and staying on the cutting edge of the industry,” she added.
Dulce Gallardo’s life was completely transformed through a certificate program. Born and raised in Mexico City, she was accepted to UCLA Extension as an international student, seeking a sustainability certificate – a far cry from the marketing job she left behind to move to Los Angeles.
“There was just a point where I wanted to do something more meaningful with my work,” she said. “When I received the acceptance letter, I was so excited, but I was also scared because it meant I had to leave my family and friends to Los Angeles. But it was the best decision, and I would never change it for anything.”
Gallardo has since gone on to work at a software company, but she said she carries with her the drive for social wellbeing and a positive outlook on being able to do what she sets her mind to.
“It really shaped the way I approach my work ever since,” she said.
For Gallardo, she had the confidence to make a change. For Constanza, she had the confidence to pursue her dreams.
“Confidence,” Samayao reiterated. “I really found my voice throughout this business management program at UCLA Extension. Every course I took immediately informed my work the next day.”
After the panel, attendees spread out across the new space to enjoy light snacks and networking, appreciating the company and venue. Ryan Stanly, a creative director, and Robert La Rocca, an alumnus of the T.V. and film writing programs at UCLA Extension, said they struck up a conversation admiring the historic building.
“I’m able to really appreciate the value of keeping such a building and repurposing it,” Stanly said. “Adaptive reuse aspect is very unique for universities, especially here downtown. Being able to explore the bare bones of this, the exposed steel and framing, the terracotta windows, it is very unique as an event space and a great social and conversational opportunity.”
