This week, I interviewed Cameron Kondo, a Haas Student-Athlete on the Softball team. Cameron started her own club on campus called Golden Girls. I have been a part of this club since my freshman year. It has been an impactful, amazing experience. Get to know Cameron and Golden Girls a little more by reading the interview below.
Cameron Kondo
Class of 2021
Major: Business Administration
UC Berkeley Softball
What is something you wish you did differently during your undergraduate experience at Berkeley?
If I’m being completely honest, I have very little regrets about my time at Berkeley. I think one thing I wish I had done was maybe double majored in either political science or public health simply because I find those fields fascinating.
How do you try to empower women in your everyday life, especially in respect to Golden Girls, the club you founded. (Golden Girls is a club for female student- athletes - a group that is dedicated to cultivating community within the females in Cal Athletics.)
I think as a female athlete on a team sport, I am used to being surrounded by incredibly strong women. However, we exist in a world that does always see us that way. I think in terms of small day-to-day stuff, it is looking for ways to build other women up because there are so many things in the world, including the enemy within our own head, that want to tear us down.
How has your role in HBSA built community for student athletes like you in the Haas space?
Prior to my acceptance to Haas, if I’m being honest, I had no idea what HBSA was, and I only wish there was someone my freshman year that told me HBSA existed and that it was for students not only in the Business major but was open to everyone. I think my role has been exciting since it is in its inaugural year so I have been able to make it what I want. It has been cool to see more athlete participation events, and next semester, I am in the works of planning some things specifically designed to engage athletes both in and not in Haas.
What has your experience been like juggling academics, athletes, and club involvement life at Berkeley?
I’m not going to lie, sometimes it is a challenge being involved. However, I would not trade it for anything. I think I have met some of the coolest people through clubs that I otherwise would not know.
How was your experience like applying to Haas? Do you have any advice for young women applying for future years?
Stressful yet super rewarding. I think knowing that I put all of my efforts into my first 2 years to reach my goal and have it pay off made it all worth it. The best advice I can give is to live everyday being your authentic self, doing things you're passionate about, and understanding your “why.” I think this is the biggest thing when writing essays is writing the essay to show who you are and not the essay you think the admissions team wants to hear.
interview by Natalie Weiner ’23
design by Abigail Zhang ’21