The Art of Networking

By David Zepeda

Hello, I’m David Zepeda, a fourth-year Advertising student with a minor in Innovation at the University of Florida. As a first-generation Nicaraguan student, I’ve overcome challenges and actively contributed to the UF community. From roles such as Student Senator to internships at Sony Entertainment Pictures, my diverse experiences have enriched my academic journey. I’m passionate about making a lasting impact and inspiring others to pursue their goals relentlessly.

As I approach my final two semesters at the University of Florida, I find myself in deep reflection. As a first-generation Latinx student on the verge of graduating from one of the top public universities in the country, the surreal nature of this achievement is not lost on me. My academic journey has been marked by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in advertising with a minor in innovation. Throughout these moments of introspection, I grapple with the question of the real value of higher education—an inquiry that lingered with me during my high school years.

Being a first-generation student entails grappling with unspoken challenges, and it has been a constant endeavor for me to break generational cycles. The pivotal moment of acceptance into the University of Florida on February 3rd, 2020, is etched in my memory. The sight of Gator cutouts cascading like confetti across my screen invoked both pride and anxiety.

The University of Florida boasts a staggering undergraduate population of 34,552 and offers over 1,000 student organizations, providing an array of opportunities. Reflecting on the past four years, I unequivocally affirm that investing my time and resources here was worthwhile. Yet, the journey was far from easy, marked by countless nights of feeling lost and overwhelmed. Amidst the challenges, one constant buoyed me—my network. Looking back, the most significant lesson I’ve gleaned from my time at UF is the power of networking. My accomplishments find their roots in the relationships I’ve cultivated, emphasizing the importance of saying yes to random events and coffee meetings with fellow students. UF has taught me that freedom lies in having options, and cultivating curiosity and networking skills allows you to shape your path by learning from others’ stories.

As I approach the culmination of my undergraduate career, my advice is to seek ways to surround oneself with people who offer diverse perspectives. While the comfort of familiar faces is undeniable, expanding one’s network beyond the known circle can yield unexpected benefits and opportunities.

To my Innovation Academy family, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Initially grappling with the perceived value of this minor, I now recognize its significance as I enter the workforce. The Innovation Academy has equipped me with the tools to embrace an innovative mindset—a quality highly sought after by employers. In the coming years, fostering innovation in everyday life will be crucial, and this program has been instrumental in instilling the mindset of seeing things not as they are, but as they could be.
Innovation Academy at the University of Florida has been a transformative experience, offering a unique and invaluable opportunity to take classes across different colleges. This interdisciplinary approach has not only broadened my academic horizons but has instilled in me a profound understanding that settling for the status quo is never the optimal choice. Instead, it encourages us to constantly seek better solutions to any problem we encounter.

The diverse range of classes provided by the Innovation Academy exposes students to various fields of study, perspectives, and methodologies. By venturing beyond the confines of a single discipline, we learn to appreciate the interconnectedness of knowledge and the potential for cross-disciplinary collaboration. This exposure fosters a mindset that challenges the notion of accepting things as they are and pushes us to explore innovative approaches to problem-solving.

The essence of innovation lies in the refusal to settle. It encourages a continuous pursuit of improvement and an openness to reimagining existing solutions. In the Innovation Academy, the emphasis on diverse coursework promotes adaptability and resourcefulness. It teaches us that problems are not isolated to a specific domain and that solutions often emerge when we draw inspiration from various sources.

Moreover, the interdisciplinary nature of the program reflects the reality of today’s world, were complex challenges demand multifaceted solutions. By navigating through classes in different colleges, we develop the ability to integrate insights from various disciplines, fostering a holistic approach to problem-solving. This not only enhances our academic experience but also equips us with the skills needed in a rapidly evolving and interconnected global landscape.

My journey at the University of Florida has been marked by diverse experiences and active involvement in various capacities. I have interned at Sony Entertainment Pictures and am an IRTS 2023 Fellow, I have also served as a Student Senator, assumed the role of HSA Keystone Director, and contributed as the Por Colombia Director of Programming. Additionally, I held the position of CALOR Director of Programming, and Casita Ambassador, and served as the Innovation Academy Cabinet Director. My engagement extends further to roles such as MLP Mentor, FGLP Programming Director, and Fact Finder. These experiences have not only enriched my academic journey but have also fueled my commitment to making a lasting impact within the university community.