Many freshmen are still searching for their career paths, however, Nicholls student Brandon Halfen is one who has already begun his journey to success.
Halfen, business management freshman from Berwick, came to Nicholls to attend college as any normal 19-year-old would and get a degree. Halfen is the vice president of Conservative Nation, LLC, which is a political consultation company owned by Nicholls Alumni John Kerry. He did not expect to own a percentage of a business at such a young age.
“I met the president and owner of the company through networking at Nicholls,” Halfen said. “He offered me an internship, and I accepted because I felt like it was an opportunity to advance and move forward.”
Once Halfen began his internship, he was given feedback about his outstanding performance and was offered the vice president position and nine percent ownership of the company.
Halfen also has a passion for music. Along with his pursuit of a business management major, Halfen is also pursuing a degree in music. He is a member of the Nicholls symphonic band and plans on joining marching band next year.
“Music is my hobby and inspiration for life,” Halfen explained. “It is what keeps me moving forward.”
Halfen said that he tries to incorporate his love for music in every aspect of Conservative Nation by using his innovative skills to generate new ideas of the company.
“That is why Mr. John Kerry wanted me to take the vice president spot because I was innovative and was always coming up with new ideas,” Halfen said. “I pretty much rely on music and everyday I write something and it challenges me and I will bring that to Conservative Nation.”
Q: What exactly is Conservative Nation, LLC?
A: Conservative Nation is a business and political consultation company. Many new businesses will call us, and we construct their whole layout. We do budget reviews and portfolios. Even businesses that are already established will call us just to construct cash flows and accounting. On the political side, people who want to hold a certain office such as state representative or governor will call us to run their campaign, advertise or do public relations. They want to win.
Q: What sets you apart from the average 19-year-old?
A: I now own a company, which not a lot of 19-year-olds do. I am on a daily basis consulting with powerful people. I go to school just like every other 19-year-old and I do my homework just like every other 19-year-old, but after school everyday I go to work. I do my best to make other businesses profitable and make other people do better in life. Our main concern is to make people move forward in life.
Q: Who are you biggest influences and why?
A: Mark Zuckerburg because he was innovative also. He didn’t have the inspiration of music to bring him to creating something new and something that people would enjoy, but he had an idea, worked on it, perfected it, and now it is used everyday by millions of people. He influenced me to think that everyone can do something. You just have to work for it.
Q: What instruments do you want to learn how to play?
A: I want to learn how to play violin. It just astounds me when I watch play people play the violin because I am just mind blown by the talent it takes.
Q: Who is your favorite musical inspiration and why?
A: My musical inspiration is the band Ask Alexandria. Not a lot of people have heard of them. [Their genre] is known as Metal Core, or more popularly known as Scream-o, which surprises a lot of people when I tell them that. However, I look for talent in music and not a lot of people can produce the scream that is so underrated and the percussion part is so advanced. Everything just flows together and I appreciate it. They inspire me to write a lot of rhythms
Q: If you wanted any artist to write a song about you, who would it be and why?
A: Probably Ask Alexandria because of the way they do their lyrics. It is almost poetic, and they won’t just say ‘he is a good person.’ They would actually find a way to make it sound better than what it actually is.
Q: What would the name of the song be?
A: “It Isn’t for Everyone,” because I never saw myself in an office. I worked at two different shipyards, and I loved it. I never saw myself in an office position but now that I am in it I love it. Now looking back at what I did, I am glad I am where I am, but it still isn’t for everyone. Not everyone can hold and operate a business and not everyone wants to be in an office, so it isn’t for everyone.
Q: Who is your most influential teacher at Nicholls?
A: I would have to say Greg Torres.
Q: If you could teach a class what would it be?
A: I would teach History of Rock and Roll because it seems like an interesting class. I haven’t taken it yet though.
Q: What advice do you have for your peers that are looking to get where you are?
A: Don’t close any doors or opportunities. If you are offered something do it. Always do it. It might not work out then you could just do something else.
