Levon Arabian - Class of 2017
Levon currently lives in San Diego.
Q: Current occupation
A: Finance
Q: What post high school education did you pursue?
A: Double Major, Business Administration + Marketing & Advertising
Q: Describe your career path and current occupation
A: I attended Grand Canyon University following graduation from Julian High School, where I obtained my two degrees. While being a full time student, I found my first job outside Julian with the clothing brand, Hollister. Much of my positivity, and let’s get it done attitude, led me across positions a few times from the entry level position at Hollister to being an Assistant Store Manager at our flagship brand Abercrombie and Fitch post graduation. From there, I obtained my first “Finance” career job in Scottsdale, Arizona in Wealth Management and had fallen in love with the career. A few years and a move or two later, I find myself back in San Diego and currently a Senior Associate in Operations of one the fastest growing, now global, private Wealth Manager, CORIENT.
Q: What JHS experience(s) helped prepare you for your future career?
A: Having the opportunities we have in Julian helped prepare for the future. Being a part of varsity sports, ASB, yearbook, etc. gave me the opportunity that others in larger schools may not have had. Personally, I believe that the ability to be involved in so many activities and juggle different hats at a young age, helped me be successful at doing so in my college years and career.
Q: Do you have a favorite high school memory you would like to share?
A: Some of my best memories are with sports and yearbook. I also have great memories from building our class homecoming floats, with late nights filled with music and last-minute tweaks, but always a bunch of fun.
Q: How did attending JHS help form the person you are today?
A: One of the unspoken core principles at JHS is the fact that were all in it together. We helped each other, no matter how big or small, and we were ultimately one team. We don’t wait for others to take action because there are only so many that can do so. Being a part of a school and community that not only helps each other, but takes pride in taking action, has ultimately led me to be the person that I am today.
Q: What are you most proud of achieving since leaving JHS?
A: I’m most proud of not losing sight of things that are important for me, like positivity and always seeing the glass half full. These traits are something that stuck with me since high school and I’m proud to still have. Also, I’m very proud of what friends and family have achieved over the years - shoutout to my little sister Lara who is a JHS Senior this year.
Q: What were you passionate about in high school?
A: Was always passionate about helping others and being a part of activities that brought people together.
Q: What are you passionate about now?
A: Still very passionate about helping others! I have also loved staying active, which has been a passion of mine since graduating college. On the not so serious side, coffee is definitely a passion.
Q: What obstacle(s) have you faced that have helped mold you into the person you are today?
A: One of the things that is an obstacle for me is keeping a balance in my life. I have now seen the light of “seasons.” There are seasons where work or your career will be a priority, or your personal life or family may become a priority. Juggling these seasons, and taking time for yourself, has been an obstacle for me to overcome. Ultimately I have learned to embrace the different seasons, and simply put, enjoy my life.
Q: Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your high school self?
A: Keep moving forward! Having a positive attitude and getting things done always seems to make things right in the end.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: I would love to continue growing and step into a leadership role in my career to foster the next generation. Personally, I still see myself in San Diego, and am really enjoying discovering new places here locally.
