Campus Celebrity: Sean Burke

Sean Burke, who was a first-year last year at HWS is currently taking time off to pursue his dream, returned to campus recently. And the results were entertaining. Maybe it was his seemingly effortless preppy sophistication, his impressive success over the past year, or his connection to both HWS and the world of Kiel James Patrick. Whatever the reason may be, as Sean sat down with Her Campus for an interview, girls and former classmates attempted, but definitively failed, to whisper about his presence. Between stifled giggles and stolen glances from the neighboring table, this week’s Campus Celebrity gave us an insight to his dedication and strong-will that encouraged his work and adventures over the past year. 

Hometown: Wayzata, Minnesota

Currently Living: Providence, RI

Position at KJP: Assistant Creative Director at Kiel James Patrick (KJP)

HC: Why did you choose to come to HWS last year?

SB: It’s a well-known liberal arts school, and for their sailing team.

HC: What were you involved in when you were on campus?

SB: Mostly just the sailing team. 

HC: How did you become involved with KJP?

SB: First I was just posting pictures capturing the classic American lifestyle. Mostly preppy stuff. It was during my junior year and I didn’t really know what I was doing at the time. My (then) girlfriend bought me a KJP bracelet, and Kiel and I started connecting on social media. I followed Kiel and he followed me back on Instagram, and his account motivated me to go out and pursue my photography and lifestyle pictures. So I’d take pictures of classic old cars and preppy stuff. I applied for an internship at KJP in 2013 and I got denied, but we kept following each other on social media. During spring break of 2014 I went out to visit the KJP factory and we hung out and really connected. We hit it off that weekend and Kiel said I could be an intern that summer, so that’s what I did the Summer of 2014. The first event as an intern was the Greenwich polo match. I started picking up the camera, and happened to take the position of the photographer. Kiel was impressed, and I starting learning about how he used social media, and what worked well for promoting the company. The whole summer went well, and when the time had come when I was about to go back to school, Kiel said he wasn’t ready to have me leave. The next thing I knew, I was at NYC fashion week hanging out with Kendall Jenner. And now here I am.

HC: What was the process of choosing to take a leave of absence and join the KJP team like?

SB: My dad never finished college, so he was all for it. My mom is really pro-education, no matter the money being offered. She just wants me to have a well-rounded education, so it was basically me deciding what was best. In a pretty short time, I signed a contract and called KJP. My mom freaked out a little, and everyone was telling me I was making a mistake. Except for my dad. 

HC: Have the people who didn’t previously support you changed their minds, now that they’ve had the opportunity to see what you’ve accomplished and learned at KJP?

SB: My mom supports me, but she’s still adamant about me going back to school. 

HC: What are some lessons or important values you’ve learned from transitioning from a student to being fully employed?

SB: Just go with what your gut tells you. There are some great opportunities out there. School is always there for you, and the deans are very understanding. You can go back to school when you’re 30, but you can’t always go back to a single opportunity.

HC: What are your main responsibilities for your job?

SB: I collaboratively work with Kiel to handle all the marketing, which includes creating all the social media marketing such as photo-shoots and lifestyle related things.

HC: What has been the most rewarding thing or biggest accomplishment since joining KJP this past year?

SB: My biggest accomplishment has been being able to work with big companies like Brooks Brothers and Vineyard Vines. Also having a piece of my photography published in Town and Country magazine was a huge accomplishment. All the doors that have opened and events I’ve gone to, and forming working relationships with Brooks Brothers, Vineyard Vines, and LL Bean have been incredible.

HC: What’s the next item on your bucket list you want to accomplish?

SB: I want to sail from Maine and go to every single hotspot on the East Coast, and end in Bermuda. I’ve been looking into beautiful old wooden sailboats, like what JFK loved to sail. Taking one of those for a few weeks and stopping for promotional events and parties at spots like Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket is something I’ve been gettting really excited about. Also I’m going to Japan with Brooks Brothers this summer to promote KJP, so I’m really looking forward to that.

HC: What’s some advice you would give a student regarding how to pursue your dream?

SB: While you’re in school, don’t wait around and just go through the motions of college. You just don’t know what you’ll be doing after college, so go after what you’re interested in now. Find an individual mentor who you look up to in the field you’re interested in, and also contact every notable individual in that field. Reach out, and ask them to go to lunch and tell them your interested in their work. I connected to so many people who I never imagined would respond to me, and they reached back and were very welcoming and interested in me. When you email them, it’s important to say what you can do. People are looking for someone who can benefit their company, not an entrepreneur. It’s always worth a shot to reach out. 

To find out more about Sean and follow his adventures, you can find him on Instagram and Twitter (@seangaleburke).

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