Monday, January 20, 2014

Successful Before 30 Blog Series--Donald Glover

By: Maureen Corbett

Today is the day I launch my first blog series. As a veteran blogger for the Liberal Arts Career Development office, I have found it increasingly difficult to discover new and interesting topics that students are interested in. I took some time to think about it, and I realized that one thing I enjoy reading about is people with similar backgrounds and interests as me who have grown into hugely successful people.

So for the next several blog entries, my theme will be centralized around the idea of “Successful Before 30.” I plan to feature young entrepreneurs and successful business men and women, all who have Liberal Arts degrees. The goal is that by discussing their achievements and triumphs, that I can convince students who may think Liberal Arts degrees are a waste of time and money that there are always ways students can succeed in their careers.


The first lucky winner is Donald Glover. While he barely makes the cut having just turned 30, this comedian/writer/actor/rapper accomplished most of his current career successes before he was 25. He began in 2006 at New York University pursuing a degree in dramatic writing, where he used the internet (mainly YouTube) to broadcast his talent. He pursued rapping recreationally, and was a member of a sketch comedy club that eventually became a YouTube sensation. Glover’s big break however was getting hired by Tina Fey to write for the show 30 Rock while he was still an undergrad.
As Glover advanced, he became most well-known to the public as the beloved character Troy on NBC’s show Community. He has also pursued a career in the rapping and record producing industry, performing under the stage name Childish Gambino. Glover has already released two successful albums, and continues to pursue his musical career.

What students can learn from Glover is the importance of standing out. In an interview with Forbes, Glover talked about how he constantly thought about what he could do to make a unique impression and offer something that nobody else could. His ambitions helped motivate him to begin writing scripts while he was still in high school, and he claims he thanks the internet for successfully promoting his brand. He’s one to never give up on a dream he’s always had, and encourages other students pursuing similar interests to become as unique as possible.

To learn more about Glover’s success or watch his full interview with Forbes, follow the links below:

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