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Some business majors may have a vision of the working world as an endless sea of cubicles and boring meetings, but alumnus Seth Haye said that his work brings him joy.
“I love my work because I get a chance to help people all day long,” Haye said. “I have an opportunity to educate people, help them dream and then help them attain those dreams.”
As a 2002 graduate with a degree in organization communication with an emphasis in business, Haye now works as a part of the Smith Barney group of financial advisors in Glendale, Calif.
As one of three partners in his wealth management practice at Smith Barney, Haye works with business owners as a comprehensive wealth manager.
“In Pepperdine terms, we are like OneStop for all the financially related needs of business owners,” Haye said. “Any questions in regards to personal finances or business finances, they can call us to help them with all those issues.”
Though an organizational communication major, Haye’s completed much of his upper-division work with the business division, and said he feels that a lot of the business opportunities available on campus have proven to be helpful throughout any walk of life. While at Pepperdine, Haye was involved with activities on campus such as Student Government Association, Student Activities and Rotaract, which he started at Pepperdine. However, it was through the Pepperdine Ambassador’s Council that Haye was able to break into the business world.
“One of the biggest influences on my future, without a doubt, was the Pepperdine Ambassadors Council,” Haye said. “I was speaking to the Crest Board on behalf of the council and was placed to sit next to a board member. He ended up being the partner in the practice I am in now, and through meeting him was how I got the job I have now.”
With this experience in relationship forming, Haye said it is one of the most important things a student can do. “Develop as many relationships as you can early on,” Haye said. “The financial business side can be taught in your first year on the job. Getting ahead is more about the connections you make while in college.”
The Business Division offers degrees in accounting, business administration and international business, as well as contract majors in areas such as finance and computer science for business.
Haye said one of the best things that an undergraduate student can do in preparation for the real world is too take advantage of the many opportunities that Pepperdine offers.
“So few students take advantage of opportunities like the career coaching program, student alumni organization, Rotaract and Pepperdine Ambassador’s Council,” Haye said. “All the opportunities that you need are right there. We have a lot of student interns and a lot of students wait until second semester of senior year to start looking beyond college.”
Business students, such as junior finance major Jonathan Dinise, said he believes the school is providing them with the classes that will help them in the business world.
“There are a couple classes that prepare us better than others, but I am definitely getting an adequately balanced education while studying here,” Dinise said.
Even students who are new to the division are getting the attention from professors to advise them on their future at Pepperdine and beyond.
“The entire business division has been helpful for preparing me in the classes that I need,” said junior business administration major Erin Herrera.
Similar to Haye, senior James Pitts, a contract major in pre-med and business, said if students take the principles that professors offer in the classroom and apply them, they will take a lot away from the program.
“I am going into the medical side of business, either medical management or running my own practice, and my classes have been a good foundation for basic business practices,” Pitts said. “I do wish that we had some more options for more specific areas of business, such as what I am planning on going into.”
Haye said Pepperdine business classes prepared him not only for his work outside of college in the financial field, but also with life.
“One of the most practical classes I took at Pepperdine was my Real Estate Investments class with Dr. John Elliott,” Haye said. “He taught us how to buy a house and get into the real estate market. In fact, I bought my first house while in that class.”
Through his work with clients and colleagues, Haye has found that a Pepperdine degree carries a lot of clout with people in the business field.
“I am shocked at how highly respected Pepperdine is in our field,” Haye said. “It’s nice to see Pepperdine touted in that same high circle as those that my partners attended like USC and Michigan.”
Submitted 03-16-2006
MALIBU, CA
