UPAAN Onward & Upward with Tiffany Tran
Tiffany Tran (she/her) is a third year at San Jose State University pursuing a Business Administration degree with a concentration in Management. She chose a concentration in management because she loves to work in teams and learn about the dynamic challenges of being a leader. She notes that another large benefit of being a Business major at SJSU, is their amazing Honors program which allows top students to work as interns with local organizations while earning credits! I graduated from UPA in 2022. She currently works as a Neighborhood Outreach Intern for the Mayor of San Jose (Matt Mahan) at San Jose City Hall. They plan weekly events for the community like mural paintings, tree plantings, or park cleanups where they can build relationships with diverse residents. This intern cycle, she has been taking on more artistic responsibilities to design the new mural paintings and promotional materials. Additionally, she is a small business owner of 2+ years, making handmade jewelry. Collaborations have ranged across Cornerstone Bae Area in Valley Fair Mall, SJ Made, So-So Market, Urban Vibrancy Institute, and local political organizations. Her Etsy and Instagram is @justpeachykimmy.
Are there resources you wish you had used more at UPA?
I wish I stayed in touch with my teachers because connections and relationships are the most important things for your professional success.
What are some of your most memorable high school moments?
My most memorable high school experience was likely the Senior Camping Trip when I was exploring the woods with my friends and boyfriend.
What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?
Learning during the pandemic was definitely the hardest challenge because I thrive on social interaction. Spending lots of time with my family and playing video games with my friends definitely helped me stay sane.
Did you feel that UPA’s courses helped you explore and learn more about your interests?
Being a part of ASB as a Secretary of Spirit made a lasting impact on me because it made me realize that I love to be a leader! AP Psychology taught by Ms. Schwinge was one of my favorite classes and I’m still learning about similar topics in all of my college courses (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Cognitive Biases, etc).
How did you transition from high school to college or the workforce?
One of the hardest parts about transitioning from high school to college is making new friends, so just make sure to be open and to put yourself out there by joining clubs or striking up conversations with strangers! For those considering a business career, make sure that you spend a lot of time building your confidence, security in your identity, and comfort in taking risks.
If you could go back and give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to not take life so seriously because life is more fun when you put yourself out there.
What high school skills or lessons do you still use today?
This doesn’t necessarily qualify as a skill or lesson, but staying in touch with my friends from high school has helped me have a strong support system. Make sure you have enough time for your hobbies and social life otherwise you’ll burn out. I like to designate Fridays for hanging out with my loved ones.
