Alumni
Advice From Alumnus and U.S. Coast Guard Sean Kam
Sean Kam graduated in 2018 with his degree in Fashion Design. Prior to FIDM, he served eleven years in the U.S. Coast Guard. We caught up with him to ask his advice for any military considering applying to FIDM.
Any advice for someone in the military who is considering going to FIDM? You’ll have many opportunities to get assistance with your class material. Worried about how you did in high school? That was your past. You made it through the military, you can make it through this. If you’ve changed while in the service, you’re likely to handle school with a different approach, maturity and a focused attitude. Don’t worry if you’re feeling lost when it comes to career searching. Keep your options open. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and DON’T close yourself off to any opportunities, even if it has nothing to do with your degree program. At some point everything you learn whether it pertains to your degree or not, will have a positive effect on your career choices and reinforce your affirmations about who you’ve become. Please, don’t give up!
What went into your decision to attend FIDM? What helped me make my decision as a first time college applicant, was the admissions process, more specifically, the admissions counselor I had. Her name is Janette Guevera. She didn't make me feel like just another applicant. She was patient and understanding. I felt like she was invested in the process and made every opportunity to learn about me. We got so close, to the point where I felt safe enough to have a little man cry. For someone exiting of the service, it’s comforting to know that an institution isn’t just after the free money coming from our Veteran benefits. Having some sense of direction regardless of the destination can affect someone’s outlook on life, dramatically. I didn’t feel lost anymore. I was found.
What connections have you made with other students/grads at FIDM who were also in the military? I’ll be honest, making friends wasn’t at the top of my list. But after a few courses and many talks with Career Center advisors, I quickly learned that connecting and networking are so key to paving many paths to experience in and out of the workplace. I’ve met a lot of great people who are so talented and have so much to offer. So I’d like to take this opportunity to say to those thinking about getting an education at FIDM—this school has so many opportunities to succeed and get you ahead in the workplace. Get involved and get out there.
Anything else you’d like to share? Funny story—I was hired by the campus as a representative to emcee at on campus related events. At an Open House I had to interview an alumni and current student panel. Alumnus Devlin Braswell sat on the panel. After meeting him, it turned out that we were stationed at the same unit at the same time on Yerba Buena Island, located in the San Francisco Bay. We worked in different departments on totally different schedules, so we didn’t really see each other. Everytime we cross paths at events it’s always great to have discussions about change and our different directions that took place after departing the military and what we’re doing now.
Categories: Fashion Design Alumni Military Veteran
