I am currently working in Content Strategy for HBO/MAX under Warner Bros. Discovery. My day-to-day job primarily consists of evaluating greenlight/renewal decisions for original content on the streaming platform (think giving the greenlight for HBO to make a new House of the Dragon or The Last of Us season).

 

The path that got me here is by far straightforward! My first college degree was in Finance at The University of Texas at Austin, aiming to be an investment banker/consultant in the oil & gas industry in Texas. However, I found myself not very passionate about careers in energy, but I always kept my interest in the entertainment industry (self confessed entertainment buff!). So I took a leap and applied to internships at entertainment companies all across the industry. I was lucky enough that my enthusiasm showed through, and got a position with HBO in their finance department. This was important to me, as it proved that I had a big interest in entertainment, and I've always referenced the internship for future jobs.

 

After about a year and a half into the job, I again applied back into the industry, and broke through with a finance position at Paramount Pictures. After a couple of more job switches inside the industry, I arrived at my current role back at HBO/MAX in Content Strategy and Analysis, pivoting closer towards the creative decision-making process, while still utilizing my finance background to help creatives evaluate content quantitatively. My big piece of advice to current students is that being aware of alternate career paths and what you are passionate about is just as important, if not more, as getting into a college program!

 

I am based out of Los Angeles, but my family is still living in Houston, Texas. My mom actually helped organize the ASHpat group there for a few years, since there are so many ASH alumni living in that area!

 

Interacting with people and friends of different cultures or upbringings! I have settled down in Los Angeles for my career, but I find my experiences at ASH enable me to better interact with people outside my immediate cultural group. It's crazy to think about, but there are not a lot of places or schools around the world where you can have friends from all seven continents, sharing a common experience, hanging out together or playing games with each other.

 

I spent five years at ASH–from 3rd to 7th Grade–experiencing both Elementary and Middle School. I was involved in the ABF and the ASH U12 soccer team, as well as the Chess Club (where I helped win ASH a local Wassenaar chess tournament!). My mother helped lead International Day, so I helped out with that as well.

 

My 4th grade teacher Ms. Slachta was very kind and cheery, which brought a positive vibe to class. Ms. Galante for 7th grade homeroom and Pre-Algebra was serious, but also very friendly and caring to how I did in class and life. I was so happy to see her when I came back to visit ASH as she was one of my favorites. Mr. Cramer was an absolute legend for the half semester I had him as a teacher in Music Technology, where I was inspired to create my own music.

 

Coming from Malaysia, ASH helped me broaden my perspective on global communities and how our world is quite interconnected. I find myself appreciating different cultural norms and styles from a variety of people, and it has helped me become more curious about our world. ASH is proud to celebrate the achievements of our alumni, where we are committed to build a better world as we become better human beings.