Finding Her Fit in the Business World: Paulina Bueno ’18 MS (Marketing)

For Paulina Bueno ’18 MS (Marketing), combining multiple passions into one job was not only possible--it was also the opportunity that propelled her towards her ideal career and future. With two separate interests in both the entertainment industry and the business world, Bueno found that marketing was the path that crossed both. 

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She attended the University of Arizona early-on, graduating in 2016 with a bachelor’s in Psychology and Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Shortly after graduation, she decided she wanted more from her education: “I’ve always been intrigued by the entertainment industry, but in order to get there I knew I needed to enhance my education,” she says. “After some research and decision making, I knew that Eller’s master’s in marketing program was the perfect opportunity to do this.” 

One of the largest challenges for Bueno was taking the first leap into the program: “I had no previous experience in business or marketing, and I felt largely unprepared, but I was determined. After receiving a lot of support and help from Eller faculty and staff, I was accepted,” she says. “I soon found that the decision to pursue my master’s in marketing would make all the difference in my career.”

Using Eller’s career resource center to her advantage, Bueno applied to 70 different marketing internships based in the entertainment industry to refine and sharpen her business education. She received an internship offer from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and was able to participate in the Academy Gold Program, designed to enhance and extend industry-wide diversity. Little did she know this internship would lead her to a job opportunity at The Walt Disney Company.

The Academy Gold Program gave Bueno the chance to learn more about the entertainment industry and meet professionals in her field of interest who are spearheading marketing campaigns and movie studios, such as Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Studios. It’s also where she made the connections that enabled her to start her current job as creative marketing coordinator for Disney Channel, where she works closely with writers and producers as well as coordinates motion graphics for promotional campaigns for several Disney Channel shows and movies.

Bueno credits her marketing education in helping her achieve her goals: “My time at Eller allowed me to collaborate with different people and bring ideas to life, which helped me navigate through my current workforce and collaborate with my colleagues on different marketing campaigns and promotional spots,” she says.

Bueno has also made it a point to stay connected to Eller. She remains in contact with the faculty and staff and also mentors current Eller undergraduate students. “The Eller Marketing team supported my goals and helped me get to where I am today,” she says. “I definitely want to remain connected to the Eller community throughout my career.” 

In her future, Bueno sees herself as a marketing executive for the Walt Disney Studios. “I love that I have had the opportunity to combine both my passion for marketing and for the entertainment industry into one career,” she says. “I’m excited to see where this path takes me.”