Where a Loyola Degree Can Take You

Maritza Machuca
Senior
Marketing and Information Systems

Today was definitely one of the most packed days of the trip so far.

I started the morning with breakfast at the hotel where I had oatmeal that came with fruit, brown sugar, and walnuts, plus an apple juice. A calm start before a long day.

By 8:00 a.m. we were in the lobby boarding the shuttle, and by 9:00 we were at Sony Pictures Entertainment for our site visit.

We started with an introduction from George Semaan, a Quinlan alum who is now SVP and Divisional CFO at Sony Pictures. Hearing about his path from Loyola to where he is now was a reminder of how far a Loyola degree can take you. It’s always different hearing career stories in person versus just reading about them.

After that, we had a Q&A with Tania Missad, EVP of Insights, Strategy & Analytics. She was especially interesting to listen to as a Mexican-American woman working in a male-dominated industry. Her perspective on leadership and navigating that space stuck with me.

Then we went on a studio tour, which was easily one of the highlights of the entire trip. We saw different sound stages, a Foley Studio where sound effects are created, the scoring room where music for films and shows are produced, and even the set of Jeopardy! It was surreal seeing places you usually only think of as “on screen.”

We also ate lunch in the Sony commissary, which was honestly shocking in the best way. Everything was so cheap. We each had a $20 voucher to spend, and I only used $13, even though I got pizza, a cookie, and a Twix. At a regular restaurant or even a convenience store, that easily would’ve been over $20.

After wrapping up (and stopping by the gift shop), we headed back to the hotel around 3:30. A few friends and I went to Dutch Bros, where I got a mango smoothie with whipped parfait, it was delicious!

At 5:45 we met again and walked to Yard House for dinner with Hector Cuellar, President and Managing Partner of Gassó Capital Markets. I'm looking forward to seeing him again at the alumni reception. I ended up having a great conversation with the Dean of Quinlan instead, which was such a cool and unexpected opportunity. I ordered the BBQ bacon cheddar burger, and it did not disappoint.

We walked back to the hotel around 7:45. I finished up a quiz (because school doesn’t stop) and then went to bed.

It was a long day, but such a good one. I’m definitely starting to see how much access and opportunity this trip is giving us, and I’m ready for another full day tomorrow.