Josh Mason, a BYU–Hawaii alumnus, addressed the Students for Light Club on Nov. 1, encouraging them to take every opportunity in college. Although Mason said he double majored in psychology and music at BYUH, he now has a job in politics.
“Take advantage of every opportunity. Do not be a passenger. When I was here [at BYUH] many were passengers, they wanted their life plan given to them, and they didn’t want to take responsibility. You are at one of the greatest schools because it is so small. You can advance easily.”
During his address, Mason said his experience from working for the university magazine, the Ke Alaka‘i, was what led him to his current job as director of communications at The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a nonprofit which promotes individual liberty, economic freedom, and limited accountable government.
“Your degree only matters to a degree. It was not my music and psychology degree that got my job... [The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii] found me because of social media, but they hired me because of my experience working at the Ke Alaka‘i for almost four years.”
According to Mason, he gained the most experience at the Ke Alaka‘i when he set the goal to improve the newspaper’s online presence. He said he was able to double the newspaper website’s page views from 55,000 to 109,000 in a year. Through this experience, he learned valuable skills which ultimately lead him to his job in politics.
In addition to developing skills in college, Mason shared the value of following promptings. He said he and his wife were thinking about leaving Hawaii, but they ended up staying due to spiritual impressions.
“Don’t forget to follow the spirit... This job was the dream I never knew I wanted. I wouldn’t have found this job if we hadn’t followed the spirit’s impressions.”
To conclude, Mason told the attendees to act now if they want to be competitive in the job market. “Do not just hope graduating with a degree will give you the job you want. That is the biggest problem with our generation... My biggest tip is to develop skills, not just your knowledge.”
Chloe Hironaka, a sophomore majoring in businesses management from Arizona, said she agreed with what Mason said. Although she said she feels her degree is a good foundation, she explained how you have to diversify yourself to get a job. “You have to develop the skills now and network yourself. College is a great time to make connections with other people in addition to getting good grades.”
Hironaka said she thinks joining clubs and getting a job on campus are good ways to market yourself to a future employer. She encouraged students to expand past their major and to focus on human interaction.“I think some people get stuck on their major. College is more about human connection. Not enough people talk to each other, and some are afraid to be themselves when they need to do the opposite and take control of their destiny.”
Dominik Lyzwinski, a junior majoring in business management from Poland, said his biggest takeaway from Mason’s speech was nothing happens until you put forth effort and act.
Lyzwinski is the president of the Students for Light Club. He said the club is partnered with the Economics Department, but is open to all majors. He encourages anyone to join who wants to find solutions to societal problems.
Writer: Noah Shoaf