Learn more about the President of 180 Degrees Consulting UCLA (2018–2019)
Kyler is a third-year Business Economics and Communications double major. He joined 180 Degrees Consulting in his freshman year, and have been involved ever since — as a consultant, Director of Client Relations, and the President for this year. Besides his work at 180DC, Kyler is heavily involved in the entrepreneurship scene at UCLA and is currently working on a startup.
Q: What is your favorite thing about 180DC?
My favorite thing about 180DC is easily the people. We do get to work on some amazing projects, but the members of 180DC really make the club amazing. You get to be in a room with people who are really passionate about helping other and improving their organization and it’s really contagious. That passion carries over to everyone in the room and you can create a lot of amazing things.
Q: You joined 180DC very early on in your college career. How has 180DC helped you throughout these years or shape you to what you are now?
180DC was actually the very first organization I joined on campus back in the fall quarter of my freshman year. I was the only freshman in the club and it was very interesting because I would have to interact with seniors who were a lot more knowledgeable about consulting. 180DC has really propelled me into consulting and into a professional lifestyle. I’ve been able to get a really good grasp on how to manage a team, how to recruit members, how to execute a project, and how to lead an organization. It has been an amazing learning and leadership experience and I’m so glad I joined back in freshman year!
Q: What’s your favorite project that you’ve ever worked on?
I think my favorite project was working with the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity (CJCC). I had reached out to them about working with us and they surprisingly said yes. Chuck Jones is one of the most well known animators and it was amazing talking to the organization and the grandson of the man who created bugs bunny! CJCC knew they needed some consulting but didn’t know what exactly they needed so they really gave us an opportunity to consult the entire org and tell them what we think they needed.
Q: What did you do last summer? What are your plans for this summer?
Last summer I was an associate at a consulting firm in Hawaii and this summer I am interning at Capital Group, which is a hedgefund/investment management firm. I’ll also be working on a start-up that I recently co-founded.
Q: What are you passionate about?
I’m really passionate about helping others. Whether that’s through consulting or in some other way, that’s what I love doing.
Q: When you first came to UCLA, what did you do think you would do and did that change?
I came into UCLA pretty sure I was gonna be Biz Econ major and then do consulting or something for a couple years and then go to get an MBA. I also came in knowing that I wanted to be an entrepreneur and start my own business. I guess you could say not much has changed. I am a double major in Econ and Comm and I still plan on getting an MBA and working in a traditional role for a couple years. I guess I am technically an entrepreneur now and have started my own business, so it’s great to be able to say I’ve accomplished my goals.
Q: If you could go back to your freshman year self, what advice would you give yourself?
Do all the internships you are already doing, but ask to get paid! Don’t doubt your value as an intern!