When Mike Mariner and Nate Gebhard found themselves without
direction in regard to their future career paths, they did what
they always do when they face a problem: They went on a road trip
in a lime green and blue RV.
The goal of their ensuing quest was to interview people and
professionals from all walks of life to gain a better understanding
of available career options.
For Mariner and Gebhard ““ who were undergraduates at
Pepperdine University at the time ““ the future held many
uncertainties.
“The big problem with our lives was that we didn’t have
good exposure,” Mariner said.
On a road trip taking them from Los Angeles to Maine, Mariner
and Gebhard interviewed all types of people ““ from lobstermen
to a color consultant for Apple Computers ““ and asked them
how they landed their current jobs.
After being on the road for three months and acquiring $30,000
in credit card debt, Mariner and Gebhard found they had a
collection of great stories about what it takes to be
successful.
Now, they are taking their findings ““ which they turned
into a documentary and a book, both titled “Roadtrip
Nation” ““ to college campuses around the country.
“We’re hitting up colleges super grassroots-style
because we see it as a movement ““ to get students to see
what’s out in the world,” Mariner said.
The pair have boiled down their insights into a philosophy they
will share with UCLA students today. They will meet with students
throughout the day in front of Pauley Pavilion, and will emcee a
presentation in the evening.
The event will feature a panel discussion with Mariner, Gebhard
and professionals such as the CEO of Paul Frank and the stylist of
Courtney Love and Madonna.
In addition to the panel discussion, the two will show clips
from “Roadtrip Nation” and hold a question-and-answer
session, said Philip Green, director of Marketing and Sponsorship
for Spectak Productions and event organizer.
Both Mariner and Gebhard said they want to mobilize young men
and women to explore and experience the world.
One of their main hopes is to battle the idea that students
should be financially stable and choose their career paths when
they are young.
Most of the people they interviewed said they were unsure of
their future career plans when they were 20, Mariner said.
“The guy who decoded the human genome almost flunked out
of high school physics. … His only plan for life was finding
something that excited him,” Mariner said.
The discussion is open to all students and will be held in
Korn Convocation Hall at The Anderson School at UCLA at 6
p.m.