As stereotypes go, Chris Castle looks like your average beach bum. His long, long hair, session’s hat, loose checkered shirt, and many surf boards leave most people assuming that his lack of formality means lack of ambition. This assumption, in actuality, is completely inaccurate. “I don’t like half assing things,” he says with a stern face. “I’m kind of a perfectionist and I work really hard when I put my mind to something. Rather than majoring in surf, Chris has chosen to major in Business Administration at Cal Poly. “I’m a boss,” he jokes. Thousands of Cal Poly students major in business, and although it is a highly ranked school, so what? Chris has a unique experience and a fresh perspective on how a business major can help him pursue his dream. “My dream,” he says, “is to do international business. I want to be able to travel around the world, experience different cultures, meet new people. Having a job that incorporates all of those things would be amazing.”
Although his ideas might initially seem idealistic, his background with travel gives his views credibility. ”I’ve been fortunate enough to travel a lot for my age. I’ve actually lived in a multiple foreign countries... Nicaragua, Costa Rica. The experiences there have been life changing for me.”
Chris’s dad is an extremely successful real estate agent, and unlike most, he refuses take the easy way out and work for his dad. “I want to make it on my own merit, not because of my dad. He worked hard for his success and I want to also. Because if I ride on his coattails, my success won’t be mine.” Instead, he has landed an internship at a local business firm this summer, doing what he calls “coffee boy” type work. Chris is fully aware that he has to work his way up, and that the business world is highly competitive, with vicious politics included. I ask Chris, who describes himself as “laid back,” if he can handle the pressure. “Oh for sure. If you work hard and have integrity, you can just ignore all of that bullshit.”
Dream choosing is a fickle process for young people; most college students change their majors at least once in their career. Chris seems to be on the path to success, but how does he know that this dream is for him? “How do I know?” he asks, and pauses. “I just know. I can feel it. My experiences thus far have pointed me in this direction.
Although his ideas might initially seem idealistic, his background with travel gives his views credibility. ”I’ve been fortunate enough to travel a lot for my age. I’ve actually lived in a multiple foreign countries... Nicaragua, Costa Rica. The experiences there have been life changing for me.”
Chris’s dad is an extremely successful real estate agent, and unlike most, he refuses take the easy way out and work for his dad. “I want to make it on my own merit, not because of my dad. He worked hard for his success and I want to also. Because if I ride on his coattails, my success won’t be mine.” Instead, he has landed an internship at a local business firm this summer, doing what he calls “coffee boy” type work. Chris is fully aware that he has to work his way up, and that the business world is highly competitive, with vicious politics included. I ask Chris, who describes himself as “laid back,” if he can handle the pressure. “Oh for sure. If you work hard and have integrity, you can just ignore all of that bullshit.”
Dream choosing is a fickle process for young people; most college students change their majors at least once in their career. Chris seems to be on the path to success, but how does he know that this dream is for him? “How do I know?” he asks, and pauses. “I just know. I can feel it. My experiences thus far have pointed me in this direction.
