#SDSUGrad: Kendall Fortner

Over the past year, the San Diego State University community has shown its true resilience. Graduates from the Class of 2021 are no exception. During this unprecedented time in human history, the university has prioritized providing students with important services like virtual academic support, emergency financial assistance and other support services. In particular, SDSU Career Services continues to offer resources for students, including the online career platform Handshake and expanded virtual programming and advising.

In this series, we highlight graduates as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives, including those who have secured jobs and internships or are moving into advanced studies. 

Name: Kendall Fortner
Major: Business management with a focus on entrepreneurship
Hometown: Santa Clarita 

Can you describe a little bit about yourself and what led you to pursue the music business as an area of study?  

When I was in high school, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what it was that I liked. And everything I tried, was something I gave up after like a week or month. It was a very short-lived interest. But I've always been really into music. So I decided that that was something that I wanted to pursue as a full-time career.

Can you describe the position and company you will be working for post-graduation?   

I will be working for Sound Talent Group, a music agency. It's a boutique-style one, so it's smaller and better suited to clients than a larger agency. Basically, what we do is book live shows and festivals for our clients. And right now I work doing administrative work. I keep a lot of things organized and up to date. I'll just be transferring into a full-time role. 

When did you begin your job search and what did that process entail?  

I started interning when I was 16 at a company called BYGMusic in an office in Los Angeles. I did that for the summer and I really liked it. So I just wanted to stay in the industry. When I came to SDSU I interned for a venue in Solana Beach called Belly Up Tavern. I eventually got into Sound Talent Group.

When did you receive your official job offer and what was your reaction?   

I received the offer Easter weekend. I was really excited because a lot of things were up in the air with COVID. And, you know, it's really hard to know if you're getting a job, especially in the entertainment industry during these times.

What advice do you have for fellow students, regardless of their field, looking to jumpstart their career post-graduation?  

Put yourself forward now. I spent a lot of time reaching out to almost every venue and music company in San Diego until someone hired me. Because I didn't really have a whole lot of experience going into it, so I just made calls and sent my resume out to literally anyone who would take it until I found a good fit.

What is it that you are most looking forward to as you kick start this next chapter? How did SDSU prepare you for success not only at the university but after graduation?  

I'm really excited to be here. First of all, it felt like a long time coming. But I'm really excited about all the opportunities I'm going to get to work with really cool artists and go to shows and spend time working on something that I've worked so hard to get to.   I think it was really amazing, all of the support systems that were in place in order to find internships. I took three internship classes through SDSU so I could work through the pandemic. Without them, I would have lost my job. So that was really great.

What experience at SDSU has changed your life the most?  

Joining my sorority was probably the most life-changing. I joined Gamma Phi Beta freshman year. I think that was really important because I got to meet a lot of girls who were very similar to me, and really helped me create a lot of solid relationships that I think I definitely would have missed if I had not done that.