We are a community for Black students, alumni, faculty and staff at the UCI Paul Merage School of Business.
Jordyn Hill, you are Vice President of Specialty Master’s Programs (SMP) for Black Management Association and you’re also a Master’s student with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE) program, graduating this Spring, congratulations! Tell us a bit about your path to Merage and what your plans are post-graduation.
I studied at Howard University and after I graduated, economics wasn't in their School of Business. For a career, I knew that I wanted to be in the business field, but I had no foundational background at all from my undergrad. Econ electives are a lot of general education courses so I was excited to come to Merage and take advantage of some core business classes offered in the MIE program like: marketing, accounting, finance, etc.
One day, I hope to become an entrepreneur myself. The way Merage structures classes definitely intrigued me because they’re designed through the mindset of an entrepreneur.
So, after undergrad, I went straight into this MIE program and I didn't know specifically what kind of business I wanted to go into, because I simply didn't have a business background. Today, I want to go into business development on the corporate route.
After I graduate from Merage, I am going to another master’s program at Columbia University to study sports management.
That’s so exciting, congratulations! I take it you want to work for a big sports company. Are you trying to go the broadcast route, the national team route or even the league route?
I’m definitely interested in the league route since that would give me more flexibility. I think especially at the start of my career, I wouldn't be opposed to working for a professional team, but the league would definitely give me a broader network.
I hope to climb that corporate ladder, either in business development, global partnerships or even corporate communications.
Sports management is an interesting career track, especially with so many grads targeting tech or healthcare these days. How did you come to the decision to pursue this?
My interest in this career track started when I was 18. I had my first internship under Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. I was optimistic about the internship despite not knowing much about the professional sports business at the time. After having the pleasure of working with multiple departments within the franchise, I realized that I wanted to work in this industry.
Aside from your academics and BMA role, are there any other extracurriculars you’re involved in?
I’m actually an ambassador at Merage, so I lead webinars, lunch n learn programs and other types of events to aid with recruitment to the master’s program here.
You’re an Atlanta native but as you said, you’ll soon be moving to New York City for your master’s program at Columbia. Having lived in California for a while now, what things have you done so far on your California bucket list?
I did a Rams game just to see Sofi stadium and that was definitely worth it! It’s a beautiful facility. I did Rolling Loud, a music festival in LA, which was really fun because I got to see YG, Saweetie and Nicki Minaj.
Things I still wanna do: I would love to have little winery moment, maybe do the famous train in Napa. I’d also love to go skydiving!
Well it sounds like you’ve got a few more activities you need to check off your bucket list before New York! I think I speak for all of BMA when I say that we’re excited to see where you go next in your career!
