Alumni Spotlight: Swimmer Emma Vu Lands Her Dream Job
College of Business alumna Emma Vu was a student senator and a competitive swimmer during her time in college. Now she works in her dream job, managing social media for Arena Swimwear. “My post grad life has been so awesome,” she says, noting that while the University of La Verne provided abundant opportunities for students to connect to rewarding careers, there are things students can do to maximize their success, including using university classes and programs to meet people and make connections. Arena Swimwear. “My post grad life has been so awesome,” she says, noting that while the University of La Verne provided abundant opportunities for students to connect to rewarding careers, there are things students can do to maximize their success, including using university classes and programs to meet people and make connections.
“I didn’t view all my interactions as networking,” she says. “I saw it as being myself and making friends. Throughout all my classes at ULV I always wanted to meet the different people in my classes…I also tried to become friends with many other student-athletes on campus. This allowed me to easily start my side-hustle business of being a grad photographer. I offered graduation photo sessions at a low rate for students at ULV and it took off through Instagram and word of mouth…April to May I did sessions for around 30 students and I loved every single one. This gave me the confidence in myself to know that people do like the work that I’m doing.”
The full-time job at Arena was lined up before graduation, thanks to making a great impression on the job as a part-time temp: “I was hired as an interim employee with Arena in Sept 2022 and worked remotely with them. I ended up doing such a good job that they offered me a full-time position in February for after I graduate. This was so crazy to me because I dreamed of working for Arena when I was younger.”
How did she get the interim job to begin with? “I happened to swim with the general manager on a masters swim team in Summer of 2022, and he connected me with the marketing director, and the rest is history. You never know who you will meet or who is connected to who…in summary, NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK.”
Emma is still immersed in the world of swimming, coaching the novice group at the club team where she grew up, Tigard Tualatin Swim Club in Tigard, Oregon. “I knew this coaching job would help keep my life centered around swimming to better understand the culture around the sport,” she says.
While the course content of the business degree was important, Emma says the most valuable part of the business major was the community enabled by ULV’s small classes and dedicated, qualified faculty. The University of La Verne “gave me the tools I needed to succeed, such as strong networking and communication skills,” she says.
