Tours beyond the classroom

What does life after Linfield look like? Benjamin Vuylsteke ’29, a business management major, got an early answer during January Term, when a career tour landed him inside Nike’s World Campus and a Portland film studio — before he’d finished his first year of college. The tours, coordinated by the Office of Career and Life Design, connect interested Linfield students with leading companies, and with any luck, students leave with the groundwork laid for internship interviews and other career opportunities.

Titans of industry

Blue Ox Films is a professional film studio that began production in Portland and recently opened a second studio in Los Angeles. The Nike World Campus serves as Nike’s global headquarters. While the two companies belong in very different industries, Benjamin’s takeaways from both locations were meaningful.

“At Nike World Campus, I got to see LeBron James’s customized shoes, Serena Williams’s trophies from the Wimbledon and Australian Open, and the actual authentic greens used on Pebble Beach,” Benjamin said.

Beyond the exhibits, Nike’s campus itself left an impression.

“The atmosphere and environment really felt peaceful and welcoming to all,” Benjamin said. “Who wouldn’t want to work in a peaceful, calm place?”

At the film studio, students experienced a different environment.

“At Blue Ox, they showed my peers and me the actual equipment that they used on certain Netflix films such as ‘Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds,’ which stood out to me the most,” Benjamin said.

But the equipment wasn’t what stuck with him most.

“What really caught my attention was the bond and cohesion that everyone had. You really got the feeling that no one was there for a paycheck but that they cared for each other and their craft,” Benjamin said. “That to me really shows that you can’t put a price tag on pure happiness.”

Lessons learned

What stood beyond the cool sights was the value of building connections early.

“Networking, networking, networking,” Benjamin said. “I’ve come to realize the importance of networking and that getting yourself out there is probably one of the most important things a Linfield student can do to set themselves up for success after graduation.”

After his experience with the career tours, Benjamin believes the opportunity was well worth it.

“One hundred percent, I recommend these opportunities to fellow Wildcats. There are so many opportunities and doors ready to open for each student. I have never seen an institution care so much about its students' success as Linfield does,” Benjamin said.

Even at this early stage of his college career, Benjamin already has a clear sense of direction.

“Just being involved in activities and opportunities this university offers are what truly matters,” he said. “Linfield really wants each student to thrive and prosper and get prepared for life after graduation. It’s up to the individual to decide what to do with that time — and determines their success.”

Linfield’s opportunities extend well beyond the classroom — from career engagement, life design, extracurricular activities and so much more. Benjamin is just one Wildcat seizing those chances to build a better future.

“I’m proud to be a Wildcat and excited to see what the future holds,” Benjamin said.