Working in the entertainment industry is a dream come true for Serrena Iyer, who after graduating from HBS landed at the aptly named DreamWorks Animation as senior manager of strategy and operations. It’s a passion that grew out of the many hours Iyer spent watching films when she was confined to a wheelchair for long periods—first as a little girl, then as a teen—due to hip problems brought on by a contaminated vaccine she received.

“I especially loved watching behind-the-scenes shows about how a director or producer made a movie,” Iyer recalls. “I knew I wanted to be involved with the business, but there was no obvious path that I could see.”

At DreamWorks, Iyer works with the COO and head of distribution on a variety of special projects, which gives her the opportunity to gain a broad view of the company. “I like working on operational problems. I want to help drive the ship rather than just keep it running,” she explains. While Iyer’s focus is on the business side, she marvels at the creative side. “I’m excited to be in this environment, constantly meeting people such as artists and engineers who had their own dream to be here,” she says.

Finding Her Path
Iyer’s time at HBS helped her clarify what direction her career should take. At the School, she forged lasting bonds with classmates and encountered a diversity of thought, which prompted Iyer to start making gifts to the HBS Fund even before she graduated. “I started supporting HBS while I was still a student for a couple of reasons. One was because of the great people I met there and the friends I made. The other was because of opportunities, such as the section experience and FIELD, where I formed some of the relationships that are most important to me,” she says. “I wanted to pass that experience on to others.”

Iyer’s route to the entertainment industry was circuitous. After graduating from Yale as an applied mathematics major, she worked for four years as a synthetics trader at Goldman Sachs, then decided to pursue an MBA from HBS. Before and after her first year, Iyer did film-related internships, which furthered her interests in movies and television, as did serving as director of the HBS Entertainment & Media Club, coproducer of the club’s annual Entertainment & Media Conference, and director of the HBS Show. Iyer also took on the role of Section A president and was chosen as the 2018 Class Day speaker.

“At HBS, I dove right in and wanted to explore if there was a place for me in this industry,” Iyer says. She tapped into the HBS alumni network, emailing graduates who worked in entertainment with specific questions about how a movie or TV show gets made, what the money and ideas flow is, and what the production process involves.

Supportive Classmates and Alumni
“I got an incredibly good response from many alumni, especially those who were more senior,” Iyer recalls. HBS grads answered her questions, offered sound advice, and even invited her to meet with them, confirming that she was on the right track for a career in entertainment. She also received enthusiastic support from her fellow students, who encouraged her to pursue her passion. “It was so heartwarming to see how excited my classmates were for me,” says Iyer.

Ensuring the continuation of the HBS experience is why Iyer says it’s important for young alumni to support the HBS Fund, even if they are not yet able to make large gifts. “It’s like when you’re in a lower- to mid-level position in a company and you wonder if you can have an impact. You have to remember that you can, and shouldn’t wait until you reach a higher position to try. Just because you’re a small part of it, doesn’t mean you’re not having an impact,” Iyer observes. “Similarly, you can have an impact on the future of HBS by donating, even in smaller amounts when you’re younger. You can still be part of something that’s changing the world.”

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