Donor support helps FIU students turn their interests into experience, leadership skills, and connections that can shape their future. 

Building a career takes more than a classroom. It takes opportunities to put ideas into practice, skills developed through experience, and the confidence to dream big. 

For Alonso B., an Arts major at College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (CARTA), that opportunity came through BOLD, a donor-supported student-run, faculty-managed Strategic Communications Agency at FIU where students gain hands-on experience with clients and connect with professionals across communications, advertising, public relations, media, and marketing. 

Through BOLD, Alonso is building more than professional experience; he is building leadership skills, networking with industry professionals, and developing a clearer vision for the career he hopes to create in media and entertainment. 

His story shows what can happen when students have the opportunity to build on what they learn. We asked Alonso to share what he has built through BOLD and how the experience has changed what he believes is possible for his future. 

Q: Before coming to FIU, what did you think was possible for you, and what feels possible now? 

Alonso: Before FIU, pursuing a successful career in a creative field felt out of reach. Growing up in Lima, Peru, I never imagined the opportunities and connections I would have today. At FIU, you are given the opportunity to apply the skills you learn and the space to explore what you are passionate about. I found BOLD, which gave me the opportunity to have hands-on career practice. I am now the Director of Culture in BOLD. I get to connect with leaders in the industries that I am interested in, and even Emmy Award-winning executives and professionals. I started in the arts, then discovered the world of public relations, media, and entertainment, and I loved it. By the time you graduate, you will have had opportunities to put what you have learned into practice and explore where those skills can take you. Now, after gaining exposure to the industry I am interested in, I feel one step closer to my dream life and career goals. 

Q: How has your FIU experience empowered you to accomplish what is next? 

Alonso: My experience at FIU, specifically BOLD, has given me the confidence to believe that anything I set my mind to is achievable, because I have proven it to myself. I started out feeling hesitant. I was doubtful about my skills and what I could bring to the table in a professional environment, but stepping into this leadership role at BOLD changed that belief. When I became Director of Culture, I realized BOLD operates like a real business. I started reaching out to professionals, executives, and leaders in the industries I am interested in, including media, entertainment, technology, sports media, and hospitality. We host guest speakers every week, and I began inviting people I admired to share their experiences with our students. It became real for me when I saw how responsive these professionals were. I was creating value for leaders by giving them a platform to share their experience, and in return, they were creating value for our students by educating the next generation of leaders. Along the way, I noticed I was developing skills that were already useful for BOLD and will be useful in any business I decide to start. By putting myself out there and absorbing the knowledge of every professional I meet, I’ve found the inspiration to pursue my career with confidence. 

Q: What would you say to donors who make experiences like this possible for FIU students? 

Alonso: To donors, your support changes lives. If a student gets to stay in school thanks to a scholarship, that means they have access to leadership opportunities at FIU. They get access to learning from professionals, who could be their professors or even other students. They get many resources on campus to start building their careers, so once they graduate, they will be well-equipped to succeed. Scholarships give me reassurance that what I am doing is right and that my efforts do not go unnoticed. Scholarships are an acknowledgment of my hard work and the extra boost of confidence I needed to keep going.  

To my FIU community, get involved as much as you can. I would tell students that while your classes definitely matter, a lot of your real career learning happens outside of the classroom, through hands-on training, like student programs, labs, and extracurricular activities.