Bright Alsoa Piens, a Spring 2024 graduate, completed dual degrees a year early in Business Administration with an emphasis on Real Estate and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Originally from Belgium, Bright describes his Chapman University experience as nothing short of remarkable. “Coming from Belgium, it was very refreshing to study at such an amazing University in California,” he shares. The Chapman community’s welcoming and family-like atmosphere resonated with him deeply. He reflects on how the beautiful campus and the friendly people made his time at Chapman feel like home, adding, “The people at Chapman have always been very welcoming and friendly, which contributed to this feeling of belonging.”

The Real Estate Path: From Classroom to Career

Bright is currently the Real Estate Assistant Manager for his family’s real estate company, with responsibilities spanning both the U.S. and Europe. His passion for real estate developed during his time at Chapman, particularly through his real estate courses. He fondly recalls his favorite classes in the Business School, noting, “My favorite classes in the Business School were by far my Real Estate classes.” These courses, including Real Estate Law, laid the groundwork for his current role, where he focuses on cash flow analyses, optimizing income streams, and evaluating new investment opportunities.

A Mentor’s Impact: Learning Beyond the Classroom

During his time at Chapman, Bright had the unique opportunity to work closely with Dean Henrik Cronqvist as a Graduate Business School Research Assistant. This experience, which lasted over two years, was pivotal in shaping his professional development.

“Working alongside Dean Mr. Henrik Cronqvist was a very unique opportunity and experience,” Bright explains, crediting the Dean for providing invaluable mentorship and exposure to experiential learning programs. This position allowed him to dive into research that elevated his understanding of business education and its practical applications, a highlight of his Chapman journey.

Noteworthy Professors: Key to Success

Throughout his academic career, several professors left a lasting impact on Bright’s personal and professional growth. In particular, Real Estate Professor Dr. David Berkovitz and Psychology Professor Dr. Lawrence Chan played critical roles. Bright recalls, “Real Estate Law with Dr. Berkovitz was my favorite class. I vividly remember studying two days straight for his midterm, diving deeper into real estate law than necessary.” He also highlights the lessons learned from Dr. Chan’s Motivation and Emotion class, explaining, “This class taught me about intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation, which is a significant concept I’ll carry forward into my career.”

An Inspiring Interview: Sharing Insights with Charlie Chang

One of the standout moments of Bright’s journey was being interviewed by Charlie Chang, a serial entrepreneur and content creator known for his YouTube channel with over a million subscribers. This interview, which received around 1.2 million views, allowed Bright to share his insights and experiences with a broader audience.

Involvement Beyond the Classroom: Networking and Opportunities

Bright maximized his time at Chapman by attending numerous networking events, particularly those organized by the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics. These opportunities allowed him to build connections and gain insights into various industries, which were instrumental in shaping his career path. He fondly remembers attending a standout event titled “Safeguarding Brilliance: Protecting Your Creative Capital,” which focused on intellectual property law. “Law-type events and classes always interested me, and this event, in particular, was extremely valuable,” he adds.

Advice for Future Panthers

Reflecting on his journey, Bright offers advice to current students and recent graduates: “I would recommend students to take full advantage of their professors, as these are people who dedicate their life to helping students like you, in your career. Anything you would like to know or any type of advice you want to get, they will be there for you. You just have to ask.”

He also stresses the importance of personal organization, noting that it was key to his ability to complete two challenging degrees in just three years while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. “Being organized shows professionalism,” Bright says, encouraging future Panthers to balance academic rigor with extracurricular involvement to maximize their university experience.

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