By Maureen Fox
Daily Titan Staff Writer

The President of the Studios at Paramount Randall Baumberger visited several business classes Thursday to explain to students the importance of having a strong finance and accounting background when applying for and maintaining business-based careers.

Randall Baumberger, president of Paramount Pictures Studio Group, visited several business classes to discuss the importance of having a background in finance. Photo by Maureen Fox

Baumberger said he wanted to speak at Cal State Fullerton because he enjoys giving back to the university and sharing his insight with business students. He also said he believes students need to hear about different industries from people outside academia, as they can share real world experiences.

Baumberger spoke to four different classes, including a section of Management 365 and Accounting 201-B. He joked with students and answered questions they had about the business world.

Kim Tarantino, a professor of accounting and co-founder of the entertainment and tourism management emphasis in the College of Business, invited Baumberger to speak to her managerial and entertainment accounting courses so he could explain to students that they must be prepared to deal with accounting and finance in their careers, even if they are not an accounting or finance major.

“It might help if they see someone who is not an accounting major coming in and talking about accounting concepts, and specifically account concepts that we have just covered,” Tarantino said. “They will more than likely encounter them in whatever job they decide to take, assuming they want to go into a managerial position.”

Baumberger graduated with his master’s in business from CSUF in 1992 and serves on the College of Business advisory board. He has worked at Paramount Studios for the last two years.

Baumberger began his talk by introducing himself and his business experiences.

He started with part-time jobs at a movie theater and on the Jungle Cruise ride at Disneyland. He put himself through his master’s degree by working full-time for PepsiCo.

After graduating, he worked for the Walt Disney Company, eventually becoming a senior vice president. He then worked as president of a video game retailer before moving on to Paramount.

During his visit to Accounting 201-B students, Baumberger emphasized that students need to have a strong finance and accounting background, no matter how far on the creative side of business they end up.

He also stressed that when applying for work, students need to focus on what they bring to their companies, not on what companies will do for them. Baumberger said the value they add to companies should be at the forefront of their minds.  “You add value by understanding business,” he said.

Baumberger followed up his introduction with a question and answer session. Students used the opportunity to ask about his knowledge on current market trends and his experience working for private and public companies.

Students also asked him for advice on applying for jobs and planning careers.

Baumberger said the most important things employers look for are critical thinking and communication skills. He also said employers want people who are engaged and interested in business; companies know recent graduates are inexperienced, so they want people who understand business and who are willing to learn.

He recommended students consider graduate school and get as much work experience as possible, particularly in entry-level jobs. “You grow by doing,” he said.

Baumberger also told the students to have confidence and show their personalities when applying for jobs. “Your influence and your power is what you think it is,” he said.

Baumberger said he hoped the students learned the importance of being well-rounded and the significance of having business fundamentals in whatever career and industry they pursue.

Students applauded his talk, and several thanked him personally for his insight.

Liliana Puga, a fifth-year business major with an emphasis in entertainment and tourism, said Baumberger’s talk was very interesting. “I liked the whole background that he gave on the entertainment business,” Puga said.

Puga also said she appreciated Baumberger’s insight into the hospitality industry, which is where she hopes to begin her career. “He motivated me to pursue that path,” she said.