I am Robert Joseph Regan.
You can call me Joe!
I am completing my Media Arts + Practice degree at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. I’ve focused my interdisciplinary studies towards content creation, marketing and experiential design. I also study Performance Science through the Entrepreneurship Center in Marshall School of Business. This innovative field of study taps into entrepreneurship and personal optimization while reinforcing the professional acumen a creative major ignores. As a member of the first cohort for both MA+P and Performance Science, I’m proud to be an academic trailblazer.
After a few years at USC I faced an unsuppressed desire to travel the world. I chose to spend a semester in Thailand. I “dropped out” of school in the Spring of 2016 and booked a one way ticket to Thailand. I left my phone at home (seriously) and spent the semester reading, writing, couch surfing, motorcycling, meditating with Buddhist monks, earning my advanced scuba certification and volunteering at the largest Thai national forest to document an elephant census project (I wrote a bit about this trip on my blog.)
I did of course maintain a plan for completing my education earlier than originally anticipated. I consistently put forth my highest efforts and hardest work, and I enjoy life in the process. I've been privileged with opportunities to devote myself towards a diverse range of professional experiences.
I’ve learned to preserve a profusely positive attitude. I take full ownership of my circumstances, fortunate or otherwise. I’d rather work to improve an unfavorable situation than expend energy complaining about it. I've had some wonderful highs and crushing lows, but I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything.
I love reading nonfiction, listening to podcasts, scribbling in my notebook (3 pages of stream of consciousness writing every morning), dabbling in photography, and occasionally spending too much time on the internet. I suppose these activities are side effects to my love of learning. They are also the banes of my social life.
Last thing: I maintain an unreasonable appreciation for Tim Ferriss, Seth Godin, Lady Gaga, and my sister. Ask me about them sometime!
If you'd like to reach out (to inquire, to collaborate, to say hello) please do!
My Guiding Principles
Disciplined Resilience.
When I commit to a goal I give it everything I've got. I refuse to set limits on what I am capable of. With a solid dose of persistence and effort, I view roadblocks and hindrances in my path as flexible “guidelines” to be broken. No is rarely the final answer.
While USC rejected my undergrad application in high school, I was accepted after sending a letter explaining why they made the wrong decision. If there is a will, there is a way. I always strive to find the way.
Dynamic Strategy.
Murphy's Law is the golden rule. While I enter the arena with a game plan, I anticipate complete spontaneity. When an unforeseeable bump in the road throws a project off course, I maintain focus and take deliberate action.
During a 4-week USC entrepreneurship challenge, revenue for my team's gift delivery service lagged in the second week. I drove a 300% profit increase by pivoting the team's efforts to crafting and delivering parent care packages. With a level-headed temperament, I swiftly adjust course and discover workable solutions to every problem.
Bold Curiosity.
Spoiler alert: I am not infinitely wise, and I am by no measure perfect. Fortunately, I am invigorated by my own ignorance. With so much to learn and so many ways to improve, I can't help but ask questions. If I don't know the answer, somebody else must!
On the contrary, I don't often take words at face value. I seek alternatives to conventional solutions. The finish line is attainable by many paths divergent from the main road, and I thrive discovering the optimal alternative route.
Enthusiastic Collaboration.
Success is best enjoyed shared. From throwing events for 800+ VIPs to formulating new academic paths within the USC School of Cinematic Arts, I've arrived at the greatest achievements as part of a team.
I am fortunate to lead multiple groups of hardworking students as we work together on a few projects this spring. While I'm unable to enroll in more classes, I'm unofficially taking a collaborative UX design course at USC. I don't care about the grade report, I need an engaging team to produce something incredible.
