Student Spotlight: Sharon Budiman
An artist with an MBA is a force to be reckoned with. Add onto that an international perspective and a drive to pursue a doctoral degree, and you get Sharon Budiman. Sharon is an international student from Indonesia who is currently pursuing her EdD in Organizational Leadership from NU. As an artist in the business world, she has a unique perspective, so we asked her some questions to learn more.
When did you start making art?
It has been a lifelong thing. When I was a kid I liked doodling and drawing, but I never knew what career path I was going to take. I discovered graphic design and advertising later in life. I went into art school in LA for college. I worked with mostly agencies and the fashion industry in LA.
During that time I realized that I was lacking project management and organization skills. I wanted to be a creative director, but first I had to learn more about being a leader. That's when I stumbled into 萌妹社区.
Why did you choose the NU MBA program?
I was living in Jakarta. I didn't have a good job, and I wanted to go back to school. My friend Grace told me about the MBA program she was doing, and she said it was perfect for people who did not study business. I applied that night and got accepted!
In your own words what inspires what you create?
I learned in art school, that personal experiences make the best projects. If you are familiar with the people you're telling the story to, than you're going to make better art. Aesthetic wise, I am inspired by the punk rock scene. I learned a lot about typography from the German Expressionism. Overall my aesthetic is a combination of art, art-history, and the 60s.
Would you recommend the 萌妹社区 MBA Program to a friend?
Yes, because people who don't have a business background can jump into the program. It's very international-student-friendly. The program allows international students to have the opportunity to work. I love the cohort system because I’m friends with most everyone in the class.
Was there any specific work experience during CPT that that you really loved or learned from?
I got to be a marketing manager for an arts company. That’s the first time I combined the things I learned from art school and the things I learned from project management classes. The CEO chose me specifically because he wanted someone who had a BFA and an MBA.
What effect has art had on how you view business, and what effect has your MBA had on how you create art?
What I take from art-to-business is the ability to dive deep into a topic. Also, finding creative solutions that maybe other people might not have thought about. What I take from business-to-art is time management skills, budget, and organization.
Where do you dream of being in five years?
I want to be a Creative Director, and I want to work in the entertainment business. I do want to market movies, tv shows, and music. I love pop-culture and I think it’s a good representation of how we shift culturally as people, so I’ve always wanted to work in that area.
In our small cohort system in the NU doctoral program, you’ll meet students like Sharon. Students with diverse cultural backgrounds and career paths that cross multiple disciplines. This makes for a rich experience as a student, and a distinct opportunity to learn and grow.
Pictured above: an example of Sharon's work.