“This week I interviewed Haas Student-athlete Sydney Kend, who is working to make green energy available to all. Aside from being on the women’s crew team, Sydney is a member of HBSA where she is responsible for the Haas sponsorships as well as a tutor for the ASC (athletic study center).”
What made you decide to major in Business Administration?
Sydney’s drive is the important issue of climate change. Generation Z and beyond are burdened with past generations’ consequences, and it is in our power to make the planet better. This starts with getting corporations to cooperate with government actions. Covid furthered this drive and her belief that it is the “responsibility of the leaders of tomorrow”.
What is one class in Haas that you really enjoyed?
“UGBA 107 business ethics!”
How have you grown as a student and women in business over your educational career?
Sydney expressed that as a “female in a male dominated space you tend to overcompensate” meaning having to triple major, being involved in all clubs, work to be the best rower possible, and if you don’t do that you won’t be recognized or taken seriously. She grew in her realization that this is not always the case. “I pick and choose my battle now”. She concluded with the idea that being confident is extremely important with this.
What are your career goals? What industry do you hope to work in, and why?
“My fields of interest are political consulting with the emphasis of environment”, and so “Making green energy available to ALL nations” is one of Sydney’s career goals.
What advice would you give to increase confidence in young women at Berkeley and beyond?
“Just own it” she yells, encouraging young women to be who they are.
What is something you wish you did differently during your undergraduate experience at Berkeley?
“I wish that I had the opportunity to study abroad in China!”
article by Natalie Weiner ‘23
design by Carolyn Lu ‘24