Summer Nelson has turned her UCLA experience into a digital diary for thousands to enjoy.
Serving as her own creative director, editor, manager and negotiator, Nelson, a fourth-year communication student and former Bruin Media Group contributor, has cultivated an account with over 70,000 TikTok followers. What started as a 14-year-old posting videos from her bedroom in Maryland has evolved into a story filled with brand partnerships and competitive internships. Whether she’s filming her walks to Erewhon or day trips to Malibu, Nelson said she has integrated her personal and professional life into content that reflects her experience as a UCLA student seeking to pursue all of Los Angeles’ rich opportunities.
“Just being in the hub of LA has been so helpful to my content creation journey because there’s so much to do in the city that expands on college,” Nelson said. “People want to watch things they aspire to, and that’s why having both those pockets, both the college and LA life, really helped shape my content because there’s just so much opportunity.”
Starting each day with a coffee run, Nelson said she relies on time management to balance her professional and academic ambitions. Having spent her senior year working three jobs while finishing her studies at UCLA, Nelson said she is still able to create daily content by compartmentalizing. She added that staying active on social media and “doomscrolling” helps her uncover inspiration as she adapts trends to match her digital identity.
Kendall Karnig, a fourth-year political science student and a close friend of Nelson who met her through their sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, said Nelson is not only an inspiration because of her work ethic but also because of her loyalty and compassion. Karnig added that when friends go to Nelson for career or emotional advice, she consistently serves as someone they can rely on.
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“She puts in a lot of work behind the scenes that no one will or could ever understand, and she makes it a priority while also keeping her friendships a priority,” Karnig said. “She’s one of the best friends I’ve ever had while still being a complete entrepreneur in her own way.”
Rory McMahon, a fourth-year economics and psychology student and another close friend of Nelson’s, said Nelson motivates her to apply for new opportunities by modeling determination. As Nelson’s sophomore year roommate and a firsthand witness to her busy routine, McMahon added that she felt inspired to step outside her comfort zone. Specifically, she said Nelson advised her to apply for summer internships and get involved in opportunities she first felt discouraged by.
While most of Nelson’s content focuses on lifestyle and fashion, this year, the Maryland local transitioned to an internship in the sports industry after working at Barstool Sports as a first-year student. At Fox Sports, Nelson said she has taken on various roles, from recording and posting both NFL and college football games to working on graphic design – a task she will continue heading into the 2026 World Cup. Nelson added that the experience provided a deeper understanding of the sports industry and the immense role digital media plays within it.
In the early days of building her platform, Nelson said she often posted without receiving attention or feedback despite her vast effort. Motivated by an inherent love for creating, Nelson added that she continued to post and gradually learned which videos resonated most with her audience.
“So much of life is being in the right place at the right time, and so even when it seems hard and times seem tough, you just need to know in your heart what you want and that your big dreams are going to come true if you keep working at it,” Nelson said.
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As Nelson looks to her future after UCLA, she said she is excited to see how the media landscape continues to evolve. Through partnerships with companies like Apple, Nelson added she was able not only to network but also gain insight into the corporate world, leading to her desire to pursue a career in business. With plans to move from LA to New York, Nelson said she is looking forward to everything the bustling city will bring in her new personal and professional chapters.
“I think it’s an advantage to have had a phone in my hand since I was so young and know all these editing things and know the trends and have developed this eye for what works and what doesn’t,” Nelson said. “I’m just really excited for all the work and time I put into content, media and marketing to pay off in a full-time role and live my dreams back in New York again. I’m sad to leave LA and UCLA, but I’m just really excited for what’s next.”
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