Gayle Gatchalian
Class of:
2008
Current Occupation/Field of Work:
Senior Associate, Knowledge and Communications
Women's World Banking
I manage Women's World Banking's digital marketing and social media presence. Women's World Banking is a global non-profit dedicated to empowering low-income women worldwide with access to financial services.
Work Experience
Day One New York, a non-profit tackling teen dating violence in NYC
Disney Consumer Products
Warner Brothers Music
Turner Broadcasting (TNT and Cartoon Network)
Asian Journal
Balikbayan Magazine
Why did you choose Comm Studies as your major?
I was originally an English major, but had quite diverse interests that it wasn't catering to. When I saw the Comms course listing and projected the variety of professions it could cater to, there was no question.
Favorite UCLA memory and/or professor
Definitely the Bruin basketball heydays with Jordan Farmar and Aaron Afflalo.
And of course, how could I not love Professor Steve Peterson, thesis advisor who humored (haha, pun unintended) my crazy idea of categorizing comedic mechanisms in prime-time television.
Also, Jane. Jane Bitar. Biggest heart of all. How could I have survived UCLA without her?
How has Comm Studies empowered you in your professional and personal life?
It has given me such a breadth of background and empowered me to pursue opportunities outside my expertise and comfort zone. Doing CS at the time I was doing it secured that I was on the cutting edge of media scholarship, aware not just of the technological innovation but of its political, social and business impact as well.
What was the most valuable or applicable lesson you learned from a Comm Studies class?
That everything old is new again--you just have to look closely and think a little deeper. One thing I keep coming back to is the critical eye and open-mind I see the world in, be in work or personal relationships.
What advice would you give to a current Comm Studies student?
Soldier on friend. But enjoy yourself. And take it seriously. Comm Studies more fun than most majors so you can risk value by skating by, but if you work hard, it gives back. A lot.
