Alumni
Business Management Student Kyle Kilgore-Ragland is the SVA President
SVA President and Navy Veteran, Kyle Kilgore-Ragland earned his A.A. in Visual Communications and is currently working on his Bachelor's in Business Management at FIDM. "He has done an amazing job making changes with the new SVA board, posting new content, and increasing SVA outreach activities," said Patty Martinez, VA Education Benefits Coordinator for FIDM. From a young age Kyle knew that he wanted to pursue a creative career, and he said he has every intention of opening his own shop one day while also pursing a career as a stylist. We caught up with him to learn more about his journey.
Tell us a little about yourself: I have my A.A. in Visual Communications and am currently working on my Bachelor's in Business Management. I plan to go for a degree in architecture a few years after FIDM. I'm a sucker for little cafés and flower shops, and I live for what-ifs and daydreaming. My biggest weakness is communication; I suck at holding a conversation with new people but awkwardness tends to break the ice on its own.
Tell us about your experience serving in the military: For me, the Navy was a good moment wrapped up in a hard time. I joined for the benefits I would get after I got out. It’s a high-stress environment fueled by tradition and rules, but I did enjoy visiting many countries, participating in different cultures, and trying different food. Despite the challenges I experienced in the military overall, I wouldn’t change my choice to have joined the Navy as it has afforded me to be where I am today.
When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in the creative industry? At some point, I realized I differed from my family. In a sense, they were the left side of the brain I was the right side. They liked the outdoors and hunting; I liked the indoors and America’s Next Top Model.
Tell us about your experience as a student at FIDM: My time has been mostly good. I am always learning new skills no matter what classes. Networking is a must. Dr. Gwen Matos and Dr. Monica Carbajal are my favorite instructors.
What are your career goals and how is FIDM helping you get there? I want to join a company and open my own shop (either a café or a flower shop), all while expanding a stylist career. Live my life. FIDM helps by simply teaching me skills I need to know, not just from the instructors but also from the students with each of their own experiences.
What advice do you have for someone thinking about applying to FIDM? Take a moment, ask yourself as when you were asked as a child, 'what do you want to be when you grow up,' because you’re always still growing up.
Anything else you’d like to share? Life is not a race; people just make it so. So slow down or you’ll miss a lot of opportunities.
Categories: Business Management Visual Communication Alumni Military Veteran Student
