Career Path Of A Director Of Finance At Paramount
Tim's career path began with a finance degree from the University of Scranton in 2008, a "tough job market," leading to an initial role in construction before transitioning to NBC Universal in New York City for financial planning and analysis. A move to Universal Studios Hollywood, facilitated by internal networking, and participation in UCLA's MBA program propelled their career to a Director of Finance position at Paramount.
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Media & Entertainment Industry, Career Transition, Networking, Relocation for Career Advancement
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tim Gardner
Director of Finance
Paramount
University of Scranton 2008
UCLA EMBA Class of 2023
Finance
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Finance
Video Highlights
1. Tim's career started during the Great Recession of 2008, highlighting the importance of adaptability and resilience in navigating challenging job markets.
2. His move from a construction contracting company to NBC Universal showcases the value of leveraging a finance background in diverse corporate settings.
3. The transition from NBC Universal in New York City to Universal Studios Hollywood, and finally to a Director of Finance position at Paramount, demonstrates the effectiveness of networking and proactive career planning in achieving upward mobility within the entertainment industry.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
My cricket path began at the University of Scranton. I graduated in 2008 with a finance degree. That was a tough job market, during the Great Recession, so I was just happy to get a job right out of college.
I took a position with a construction contracting company on Long Island, New York. This was a bit challenging because my background didn't necessarily align with the skill sets they were looking for. I lived on Long Island for a few years, then moved back to New Jersey, where my corporate career began to take off.
I had a finance background and got a job at NBC Universal in New York City, working in financial planning and analysis. The beauty of working for NBC is that it's a huge company. I transitioned from New York City to California because I wanted to work for Universal Studios Hollywood.
I reached out to someone within the company, and they were able to move me to California. That's really where I started a new life. Eventually, I moved from the theme park to the studios and have been working in studio finance since. Going through the MBA program at UCLA has accelerated my career. Within the past year, I got a Director of Finance position at Paramount, and that's where I've been.