Student Spotlight: Hana Bae of the Univeristy of Texas Student Chapter

Each month AWC will feature a shining star from one of our local Austin student chapters. This month we highlight Hana Bae, Vice President of Speaker Relations with the University of Texas student chapter.

AWC Austin: Tell me about your background, where did you grow up and how did you land at UT? What are you studying and why?
HB: My name is Hana Bae and I am a Korean American born and raised in Dallas, Texas. Growing up in a large family with four siblings (2 older brother and a younger brother and younger sister) under a single mother has been a fun and sometimes difficult learning experience. My family has been such a strong support system all throughout my life and they are a big reason why I am pursuing the things that I am pursuing. Being the first in my family to have the opportunity to graduate from college has given me the determination to work hard, academically and non-academically. I am currently a junior studying public relations with a minor in writing/rhetoric as well as business foundations. Internships in the entertainment industry have given me a taste for what I want to do in the future. Working on the set of a television series(It was called Lonestar, however, Fox canceled the show) as a production studio intern and implementing marketing campaigns for big name films (like Transformers 3 and Captain America) as a Paramount intern has given me the opportunity to be more specific in my studies. Although I am unsure of the exact profession I hope to be, I feel as though my academic goals will be beneficial in this career field.

AWC Austin: When did you join AWC and what has it meant to you so far?Is there anything special you take away from AWC over other organizations you may or may not belong to?
HB: I joined AWC Spring of 2011. I was looking for ways to get more involved at UT and found AWC on the communications website. I went to the first meeting by myself, so I was a bit nervous, but I was immediately welcomed by the student officers and was able to build quick and comfortable relationships with the other members as well. I went to several other student organization meetings before AWC, but found AWC to fit what I was looking for. The close-knit environment and the relaxed and fun atmosphere that the UT-AWC student chapter brings was definitely something that kept me coming back. Currently, I am the Vice President of Speaker Relations for the UT chapter and I hope that I can continue to promote this welcoming environment to other UT women in communications as well.

AWC Austin: Any advice or tips for new student members?
HB: It’s always nerve-wrecking to be in environments that are out of your comfort zone. It look a lot out of me to get myself to take that first step in going to that first meeting – and by myself too! – but, I’m glad that I did because I made such awesome relationships with UT students and Austin professionals that I would never have had a chance to meet if I hadn’t of gone to that first meeting. I feel that I have grown a lot since taking that first step and it really has given me more confidence and the boldness to put myself out there.

AWC Austin: Tell me your favorite part about living in Central Texas.
HB: I love Austin! I grew up in Dallas, and to be quite honest, I was getting a bit sick of it. When I first visited Austin, I didn’t think much of it because I expected Austin to be quite similar to Dallas, but I was definitely wrong. I came to Austin and it didn’t even feel like I was in Texas! There’s so much to do and so much to see that there is always something new and interesting. If I had to choose one thing about Austin that I love the most, I would have to say that it’s the amazing food trucks. There are so many different choices, it’s always an adventure to try something new.