Alumni Spotlight: Ethan Huynh

Ethan Huynh graduated from Western in 2023 having just co-led the WWU Cheerleading team to the national USA Collegiate National Championships in Anaheim, California in February 2023, competing in the game day division in three categories: band chant, fight song, and situational cheer. The team beat out Division I and II schools to win first place for their situational sideline routine.

Turning his marketing prowess and love of cheering into a career, Huynh is now, just a year later, the Social Content Coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. 

Is there a particular moment or memory that stands out in your mind about your Western experience? 

Becoming a National Champion my senior year. Being on a student-led team, my role as a captain was not always glamorous, but I learned so many great leadership skills. After being a fourth year on the team and a third-year captain, it was so rewarding to work for something with my teammates and coach that we all wanted so bad. The Western community, academics and athletics, were so supportive as well!

What skills or key lessons did you learn at Western that have helped you go on to succeed or contributed to your position with the Seahawks?

Time management and prioritization. I was a big go-getter and always wanted to experience as much as I could to be able to build a resume. Managing my time because school, cheer, work, and a social life was a big life skill learned throughout my years. Prioritizing experiences and people that would better me mentally and professionally. Prioritizing what would be realistic and what was best for me in the long run. Always working towards reaching my goals!

Did you have a favorite professor or other WWU employee who made a significant impact on your life or time here? Any favorite professors or experiences you’d like to share? A favorite course or thing you learned in a course?

Ed Love, Dan Purdy, and Mark Staton really helped me grasp my love for marketing and especially digital marketing. Now having two years of digital/content marketing under my belt, I really go back to many lessons they taught me in the classroom. Mark’s Digital Marketing class and Dan’s IMC class are ones to remember!

Ed really was a key person, guiding me in my professional career towards the end of my time at WWU.
I also worked closely with Dr. Karen Stout in the Leadership department. I found my love for Leadership Studies my freshman year and was hooked since. I knew instantly I wanted to minor in the field and got to work with some amazing people and have some great experiences under Karen.

What advice to you have for undergraduates who are considering their career paths?

Go for it. Never give up on your dreams. Dream big. It’s cheesy but set a goal and run after it. Prioritize yourself and your goals, but don’t forget about those that help you get there in between. Never doubt your abilities. It all starts now, so go for it! You never know what’s waiting for you out there.

We wish Huynh all the best! To read more about his time at WWU in Window, please go here. To learn more about WWU Cheerleading, go here.