Bizunesh Keith
Georgia State has shaped Bizunesh Keith academically and professionally, and expanded her view of the world beyond the classroom. Through leadership, study abroad and professional experiences, she’s discovered her passion for connecting people, exploring cultures and creating meaningful moments that bring others together.
Interview by Zohra Basmadjian
Tell me a few things about yourself.
I’m a senior majoring in marketing and minoring in hospitality administration, graduating this spring. I was born in Ethiopia but I was adopted when I was 5. I then moved to Marietta, Ga., and that’s where I grew up before coming to Atlanta for college.
Why did you choose to major in marketing and minor in hospitality?
In high school I wanted to be a physician assistant, so when I applied to GSU I was bio, pre-med, but I realized that wasn’t for me. I then switched to speech communication, but I also found that wasn’t for me. I finally decided to switch to marketing because it’s used in every field and is very broad.
While I was settling into that, I met Soyoung Boo, one of the professors in the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration, and she’s the adviser for the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE). After joining that club, I found my passion for event planning and bringing people together to share good experiences. That’s how I added my hospitality minor.
What’s your favorite thing about Georgia State?
The culture and diversity. There are so many different people here with unique interests. Every day on campus feels different, and that’s helped shape who I am. It’s taught me to be open-minded, see things from different perspectives and not judge others.
There’s a place for everyone here, and it’s easy to feel like you belong. Plus, being in downtown Atlanta is great. There are so many opportunities, and it’s the perfect place to be a college student.
Are you involved with any organizations on campus?
I’m president of International Association of Exhibitions and Events GSU Student Chapter. It’s the events club in the School of Hospitality. I’m passionate about bringing people together, helping other students grow in their careers and making the School of Hospitality more accessible on campus.
What do you plan to do after graduating?
Initially, I want to work in sports marketing and media — specifically fan engagement and event planning for a sports organization. Later, I’d like to move into the event side of the hotel industry. Eventually, I hope to start my own event-planning company. I like to stay open-minded because you never know what opportunities might come along.
This past spring break, I went on the Dubai Immersion Program through the School of Hospitality, and it opened my eyes to traveling and learning about other cultures. Traveling is one of my postgraduation priorities. I’d love to move abroad — maybe to England — and work for one of the Premier League soccer teams. Sports is such a fun, fast-paced environment, and I know I can learn a lot from it before moving into something more professional later.
Tell me about your college ambassador role with the Atlanta Hawks.
I work with the Atlanta Hawks as a GSU ambassador. I wanted this role for a long time because I love sports and thought it’d be an amazing opportunity to work with an NBA team while in college. We focus on promotions, marketing, social media, events and sales — mainly spreading the Hawks brand on campus through the Hawks Pass program.
What are your long-term and short-term goals?
My short-term goal is to graduate college and find a stable job.
Long-term is to give back — whether that’s volunteering or starting my own charity.
