NU Fencer Gets Inside Look at Hollywood’s Entertainment Industry
9/29/2015 11:53:00 AM | General, David G. Kabiller NU for Life Program, Women's Fencing
By Adam Rossow, Northwestern Correspondent
Learning in the classroom is only part of the experience for Northwestern student-athletes, especially for those involved with the NU for Life program like senior fencer Jen Yamin.
The program provides student-athletes different professional opportunities and networking avenues with which participants can become involved. More specifically, the mission of the NU for Life program, is "to equip our student-athletes with the resources necessary to excel professionally upon completion of their athletic careers."
Each year, five NU for Life members are selected for the Irving Kabiller Memorial Award for Excellence in Character, Commitment, and Community that provides a $5,000 grant to be used toward his or her own personal development.
When Yamin -- a communications studies major who is also pursuing a minor in legal studies -- was chosen as a winner in Fall 2014, the Allendale, New Jersey native knew exactly how she was going to use the financial grant that honorees receive.
"I have always been passionate about, and interested in the entertainment industry, but I also viewed law school as my next step after college," said Yamin.
The fencer used her award to pay for a LSAT prep class and subsequent test, along with a week-long stint networking with legal professionals around the Los Angeles area.
"When you hear entertainment, you think Hollywood, so when I got the award I decided to go there and meet professionals in both fields."
In June, after coordinating the trip with Northwestern alumni in Southern California, Yamin traveled to Hollywood for a valuable week of networking with legal professionals in the entertainment industry. While in the Los Angeles area, Yamin spent time with attorneys at many of the major companies in the industry including: ABC/Disney, NBC, Warner Bros. and Rhino Records.
"I met with a lot of legal council and business affairs employees, and spoke about legal transaction versus legal litigation in the industry," remarked Yamin. "I prefer transactional over ligitational, and they outlined the different career paths to get to my goals."
She was also able to connect with Northwestern alumni stationed at smaller legal firms around Los Angeles to further enhance her experience. One alumna in-particular was Yujin Yi, who works at an entertainment law firm -- Costa, Abrams and Coate, LLP. Yamin said the experience at both large corporations and Yi's small firm helped her gain a sense of the day-to-day work responsibilities for a professional in the industry.
Yamin said: "I also was better able to get a sense of the work-versus-life balance at two different sized firms. At a place like Warner Bros., you work longer hours and with high volumes of people, but at a smaller firm like Yi's, it's more day-to-day work, but less total cases and people to represent."
Along with learning about the specifics of a job in the entertainment law industry, Yamin received valuable advice while meeting with a variety of professionals in the business. "Everyone told me to keep building connections and emphasized using and maintaining those connections in the future, because in the entertainment industry, it's all about who you know," she commented. "They were also very impressed that I was already networking before even taking the LSAT."
Although the week in Hollywood did not significantly alter Yamin's view of the entire industry, she did mention that the problem-solving and communication skills she has developed during her time at Northwestern will be extremely beneficial. She believes this skillset, along with her future work at law school, will give her the jumpstart needed for such a competitive industry.
"It's more than just paperwork and arguing in court. It is a lot of dynamic work, which was exciting to see," Yamin stated.
Upon returning from Southern California, Yamin enrolled in her LSAT prep course and has been busy with the four-month class that will meet until the test date on October 3. She will use the information learned in the prep class and tackle the test, with the hopes of pursuing her J.D., after graduation.
"The Kabiller award gave me a means to actually pursue what I wanted to do, and sat me across the table from people I had only dreamt of talking to," Yamin said. "It provided an amazing opportunity to chase something I am passionate about doing."
"The entire NU for Life program has opened a lot of doors and given me more confidence in meeting and networking with people," said Yamin, who participated in the 2015 NCAA Women's Fencing Championships in March. "The tools it has provided me have made me better prepared for after graduation and beyond."
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To interact directly with the #B1GCats, visit our Social Media page!
Learning in the classroom is only part of the experience for Northwestern student-athletes, especially for those involved with the NU for Life program like senior fencer Jen Yamin.
The program provides student-athletes different professional opportunities and networking avenues with which participants can become involved. More specifically, the mission of the NU for Life program, is "to equip our student-athletes with the resources necessary to excel professionally upon completion of their athletic careers."
Each year, five NU for Life members are selected for the Irving Kabiller Memorial Award for Excellence in Character, Commitment, and Community that provides a $5,000 grant to be used toward his or her own personal development.
When Yamin -- a communications studies major who is also pursuing a minor in legal studies -- was chosen as a winner in Fall 2014, the Allendale, New Jersey native knew exactly how she was going to use the financial grant that honorees receive.
"I have always been passionate about, and interested in the entertainment industry, but I also viewed law school as my next step after college," said Yamin.
The fencer used her award to pay for a LSAT prep class and subsequent test, along with a week-long stint networking with legal professionals around the Los Angeles area.
"When you hear entertainment, you think Hollywood, so when I got the award I decided to go there and meet professionals in both fields."
In June, after coordinating the trip with Northwestern alumni in Southern California, Yamin traveled to Hollywood for a valuable week of networking with legal professionals in the entertainment industry. While in the Los Angeles area, Yamin spent time with attorneys at many of the major companies in the industry including: ABC/Disney, NBC, Warner Bros. and Rhino Records.
"I met with a lot of legal council and business affairs employees, and spoke about legal transaction versus legal litigation in the industry," remarked Yamin. "I prefer transactional over ligitational, and they outlined the different career paths to get to my goals."
She was also able to connect with Northwestern alumni stationed at smaller legal firms around Los Angeles to further enhance her experience. One alumna in-particular was Yujin Yi, who works at an entertainment law firm -- Costa, Abrams and Coate, LLP. Yamin said the experience at both large corporations and Yi's small firm helped her gain a sense of the day-to-day work responsibilities for a professional in the industry.
Yamin said: "I also was better able to get a sense of the work-versus-life balance at two different sized firms. At a place like Warner Bros., you work longer hours and with high volumes of people, but at a smaller firm like Yi's, it's more day-to-day work, but less total cases and people to represent."
Along with learning about the specifics of a job in the entertainment law industry, Yamin received valuable advice while meeting with a variety of professionals in the business. "Everyone told me to keep building connections and emphasized using and maintaining those connections in the future, because in the entertainment industry, it's all about who you know," she commented. "They were also very impressed that I was already networking before even taking the LSAT."
Although the week in Hollywood did not significantly alter Yamin's view of the entire industry, she did mention that the problem-solving and communication skills she has developed during her time at Northwestern will be extremely beneficial. She believes this skillset, along with her future work at law school, will give her the jumpstart needed for such a competitive industry.
"It's more than just paperwork and arguing in court. It is a lot of dynamic work, which was exciting to see," Yamin stated.
Upon returning from Southern California, Yamin enrolled in her LSAT prep course and has been busy with the four-month class that will meet until the test date on October 3. She will use the information learned in the prep class and tackle the test, with the hopes of pursuing her J.D., after graduation.
"The Kabiller award gave me a means to actually pursue what I wanted to do, and sat me across the table from people I had only dreamt of talking to," Yamin said. "It provided an amazing opportunity to chase something I am passionate about doing."
"The entire NU for Life program has opened a lot of doors and given me more confidence in meeting and networking with people," said Yamin, who participated in the 2015 NCAA Women's Fencing Championships in March. "The tools it has provided me have made me better prepared for after graduation and beyond."
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To interact directly with the #B1GCats, visit our Social Media page!
Volleyball - 'Cats Defeat Valparaiso in Home Opener Reverse Sweep (9/9/2025)
Wednesday, September 10
Football - Western Illinois Cinematic Recap (9/5/25)
Monday, September 08
Football - Week 3 Monday Press Conference (9/8/25)
Monday, September 08
Field Hockey - 'Cats Record Fourth Straight Shutout, Blank No. 8 Boston College (9/7/25)
Sunday, September 07
