Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month: Spotlight on Business Student Rylie Jennings
Rylie Jennings (Junior, Finance)
In honor of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month, the Fowler College of Business News Team is highlighting students to help spotlight the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our community and in the United States. Exceptional student Rylie Jenning (Junior, Finance) shares what Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month means to her, her cultural background, experiences at SDSU, and more.
Are you someone in the Asian American or Pacific Islander community who is interested in telling your story? Email [email protected] for the chance to be featured!
Background
Where are you originally from?
I’m originally from Yakima, WA.
Why did you choose to attend San Diego State University?
I grew up in a smaller town known for agriculture, so I wanted to experience a larger city with more diversity and opportunities. It was the best decision I’ve made for myself.
Why did you choose to get a degree in finance from the Fowler College of Business? Please describe your experience thus far.
After researching different colleges in California, I saw that SDSU had a ranked business program amongst public universities and a strong study abroad program, so I thought SDSU was the best place for me. I was Senior Class Treasurer in high school and was always naturally curious about entrepreneurship so I chose to pursue finance here. The programs that SDSU provides such as the Lavin Entrepreneurship program and the Zip Launchpad have enhanced my experience as a student and has challenged me with opportunities that I would’ve never dreamed about before coming to SDSU.
Jennings and the film team after one of the football games last season at Dignity Health Stadium in Carson, CA.
As a student leader involved with organizations at SDSU, can you share why you got involved and what your experience has been like so far? Is there a particular organization that has had a profound impact on your college experience?
The first organization I joined my very first week at SDSU was the Pacific Islander Student Association (PISA). I knew I wanted to make friends who shared similar values as I did growing up, and PISA has been a home for me ever since. They were my first college friends and now feel more like a family. Some of my favorite college memories are with PISA at different events. We would perform cultural dances on campus and even traveled to UCLA to perform. I have held positions such as Social Chair and Treasurer, and these experiences really showed me how important business elements are to running an organization, even one as small as PISA.
My freshman year, I attended an Entrepreneurship Society meeting and after hearing one of the Lavin Centers Co-Directors speak, Bernhard Schroeder, I was inspired to just take the leap and apply to the Zip Launchpad. How the Zip Launchpad works is students apply with an idea of a product or business that could improve the lives of others, and if you are accepted, you are challenged with making that idea a reality using the network, teachings, and resources provided by the Zip Launchpad. I was one of two freshmen accepted and this was evolutionary to what I believed I was capable of in business. I presented my idea at community events, worked with organization founders from UCSD and the community, and learned how to prototype a mobile application. That experience in itself made my tuition worth it.
After a year in the Zip Launchpad, I decided to apply to the Lavin Entrepreneurship program to continue learning from the industry professionals provided through the cohort center including David Turner, Alex Denoble, and Bernhard Schroeder. The last six months, I have been working with my mentor, Gary Weiss, who is a principal real estate partner for his firm, LA Realty Partners, in Century City. Thanks to the Lavin Program, I have been able to continue to challenge myself to explore all the experiences and network opportunities the center has to offer while continuing to learn how to create and monetize a valuable business idea. I want to work in investments after I graduate, and I would’ve never found my passion for this industry without these programs.
Lastly, for the last year I have been a video assistant for the SDSU football team and the NCAA Mountain West Network. This is by far the most fun yet stress-inducing job I have had, and it has been an incredible experience to be able to travel to Carson this last year to watch all the football games in the old Chargers stadium, and being able to watch/film all the SDSU sports events as my job.
What is your favorite memory from SDSU?
Jennings after presenting to a panel of advisors to continue in the Zip Launchpad Program her freshman year.
I have so many, but if I had to choose one or two, one would be PISA’s roadtrip to UCLA for a performance the day after Dance Marathon. My roommate (VP of PISA) and I went the whole day on 1 hour of sleep. We got to meet Tenelle, a popular Islander Artist, and met some amazing students from the other Pacific Islander Organizations in California. Not only was the food amazing, but there were also some incredibly talented individuals amongst these cultural organizations. It's mind blowing.
What is the best advice you have received during your time at SDSU?
The best advice I have received was to get involved with as many organizations as possible and always do the things that make you uncomfortable. There are countless times where I would spontaneously jump on a new opportunity that I had no idea if I could handle but ended up being the most rewarding experience. It's those small decisions that change the direction of your life.
What career aspirations do you have following your time at SDSU?
I want to be an investor in different sectors of the industry. I’m currently studying finance and integrating my mentorship experience of real estate with what I’m learning in school. I have participated in Venture Capital Competitions and this has made me realize how much I love researching start-ups that have the potential to make a lot of individuals' lives way easier.
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month
What is your cultural background?
I grew up with my Mom (Samoan) and my Dad (white) and my younger brother who’s in highschool. My grandparents moved to the United States from American Samoa, where my grandpa gave his chiefship to his brother so he can give better opportunities to my family here on the mainland. They are so strong and my grandma is the absolute matriarch of our family. I grew up with a very large Samoan family with 27 cousins and a majority of us are very close. Weekend BBQs were common with the family in my backyard. All my cousins, aunts and uncles would come over, we’d eat until we couldn’t anymore, and play volleyball a little too competitively.
Jennings and her roommates attending the overnight Dance Marathon in support of Rady's Children's Hospital.
How have you celebrated your cultural heritage during your time at SDSU?
I am the current Treasurer for the Pacific Islander Student Association. I was previously the Social Chair. Growing up my family and I would perform at small banquets, weddings, and graduation parties, so being able to continue that at PISA is amazing. We perform cultural dances at university events and host an annual Luau at the end of the year where we reward a scholarship(s) to Pacific Islander Highschool Seniors to support them in their college endeavors.
What does Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month mean to you?
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month is taking a moment to appreciate the accomplishments, culture, and traditions of Asian American Pacific Islanders. A very small percentage of universities’ overall populations are Pacific Islander, but these populations hold some extremely inspiring individuals who are bound to be change-makers. There is so much beauty behind the Pacific Islander culture and it is so much more than a one-week getaway to Hawaii. This month is an amazing opportunity to celebrate as a cultural community and spread the love for each other's cultures.
There has recently been a surge of anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S. Do you have any advice for people who do not identify with the Asian community and want to be an ally/take action?
I myself can’t speak on behalf of the Asian community, but I believe that ignorance is a huge driving force for such crimes to be committed and the best way to fight ignorance is through education, research, and speaking to individuals impacted by these events. The more exposure you have to the problem, the better the solution you can come up with.
What advice would you give Asian Pacific students wanting to get involved at SDSU? Are there communities and/or student organizations you would recommend?
A powerful mindset can really take anybody where they want to go, so go out there and expose yourself to as much as you possibly can. I would 100% encourage students to get involved in the cultural organizations at SDSU such as APSA, BBS, AB Samahan, etc. It is such a strong community, and the exposure to other cultural traditions is so inspiring. It’s incredible the amount of different stories you can hear. Of course, I would also encourage students to get involved in entrepreneurial programs or programs directly related to your major. There are so many to choose from - you just have to look. This is a great way to see what your interests are and whether what you think you want to do as a career is actually what you want. The key is to get as involved as possible and there's no such thing as jumping in too early or too late. Also, service-oriented organizations such as Dance Marathon and Mustard Seed Project are a whole different type of educational opportunity. I’m grateful to attend a college where we can receive an education both in the classroom and outside of the classroom through the many opportunities student organizations provide.
The 2018 Pacific Islander Student Association Conference with the highschool students who performed in the annual event competition.
Who inspires you? Do you have any mentors that have positively impacted your life?
My mom and dad are absolutely my inspirations in life. They have pushed me to go beyond average expectations and knew that I was always capable of more. They challenged me to go beyond my comfort zone and always had an entrepreneurial mindset with what they did. My mom would change careers according to my brother and I’s school schedules. My dad, regardless of how tired he was after working long days in construction, always came home to play with my brother and I or practice whatever sports we were in that season. They have made sacrifices and taken unbelievable risks to better the lives of my brother and I. They are the most hardworking people I know, and whenever I feel that my limits are being pushed to the edge, I always think of them and it pushes me forward.
*Group photos were taken prior to March 2021
