Conversations with Hrishika Sharma

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hrishika Sharma.

Hi Hrishika, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story began with movement. When I was 6 months old, my parents moved from India to Uganda with hopes for a better life. By the time I turned eighteen, I had been given the privilege of growing up in seven countries, six of them in Africa, which meant constant adaptation was my second nature. To me, my identity was not one core, permanent self, but rather something which had no centre and was pulled in many different directions, continually in progress. This Postmodernist ideology that I, and many other people have adopted, stems from our lives as immigrants: speeding through sleeping cities, arriving in alien weather and transiting through the lives of friends we love. In the summer of 2017, I arrived in a country whose history was even more complex than mine. A land of diversity, South Africa was truly the “rainbow nation” that I had expected it to be. My family is now based there, but each move taught me to see the world through many cultural lenses and understand how our stories shape connection.

Coming to Los Angeles for college all by myself was my biggest leap yet. I am the first person in my entire family to step foot in the United States and committed to UCLA without ever visiting it. Luckily for me, UCLA quickly became the place I call my— maybe eighth— home, and where my life gained more purpose. I pursued a degree in Business Economics with a minor in Film, Television & Digital Media to combine my passions for analytical thinking and creative storytelling.

Outside of classes, I found myself drawn to projects that rose from the intersection of my interests, whether it was film, dance, tennis, or business. Through my campus entrepreneurship club, I collaborated with numerous companies across media, healthcare, and technology, which deepened my understanding of how innovation drives impact. This curiosity is what led me to my internship at Lionsgate, to learn about the finance side of entertainment, and then to my most recent internship at TCW, working in global marketing within the asset management sector.

Now, as I prepare to move to New York City for my full-time role at TCW, I am excited to keep building on my passions of creative communication and business strategy. Looking ahead, I hope to leverage my international background to help global brands tell meaningful stories that connect people across their differences.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I believe that I have really come to value the spontaneity of my journey. Growing up across so many countries meant I was constantly adjusting to new cultures, new languages, new friendships. Nevertheless, I strived to stay connected to my Indian heritage through watching Bollywood movies and training in Indian classical dance, as this was my one constant thread through all the movement.

When I moved to Los Angeles for college, I felt both immensely exhilarated and slightly overwhelmed. Being thousands of miles away from family was tough as college can undoubtedly feel lonely and confusing when you are trying to, not only find your people, but build your own future in a new place. There were times when balancing my identity felt like walking a tightrope. But those challenges forced me to grow in ways I never expected, teaching me how to be independent and the importance of prioritizing health and balance. To me my attitude towards life and the people I choose to surround myself with were the most important factors that shaped my college journey. UCLA hums with a type of energy that pushes you to grow. Whether in the hurried conversations outside Powell, the packed tables at Kerckhoff, or the way people here speak not just about their ideas, but about what they are changing, this shared sense of ambition constantly gave me the self-confidence to improve.

Now, I see this journey as one of my greatest strengths as it gave me the adaptability to thrive anywhere and the deep appreciation for people who were truly there for me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have always been curious about what happens behind the scenes in media and entertainment, and how creative ideas are supported by real business decisions. Interning as a Contract Compliance Intern at Lionsgate gave me my first look at how entertainment actually functions beyond the screen, and helped me understand the legal and operational work that makes film projects possible. I am now working in Global Marketing at TCW, where I see how storytelling, strategy, and data come together in a very different industry, but with the same goal of building trust and long-term value.

As an international student, building my career in the U.S. has been a learning process in itself. Navigating a competitive job market pushed me to be intentional about every role I took on and to continuously build my skills and experience along the way. I believe moving to New York City full-time is exciting as I aim to keep growing, learning, and creating my place in the business and entertainment world.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
There is a saying that luck is a result of hard work. I believe luck played an important role in my journey because of the years of sacrifices and unwavering support from my family. It is something I never take for granted. I also think that my dedication and firmness in my decision to move overseas was pivotal in shaping my present. I have been incredibly privileged to have a supportive and strong network of people who have guided, encouraged, and believed in me even when I was figuring things out one move or leap at a time.

Their belief in me gave me the courage to take risks, whether it was moving to Los Angeles without knowing anyone, building a strong stage presence in dance competitions and events, or having the self-belief to voice my opinions and lead. Every opportunity I have had, every door that has opened, has been a mix of timing, hard work, and the people who have guided me along the way.

I like to think of luck as fuel as it does not just drive the journey, but it makes the ride possible. My goal now is to pay that forward by creating opportunities for others to make something meaningful out of the opportunities I have had.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: hrishika_s
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrishika-sharma/

Image Credits
Bodhi Vision