H22 CEO and Founder Heather Jerrehian had a conversation with Andrew Roldan as part of our ‘First Rung’ blog series. In a world that is being reshaped by AI and automation, where Gen Z is facing unprecedented and accelerated change, H22 believes that clarity about who you are and why you’re here matters more than ever. The core questions that sit at the heart of this blog series are designed to explore the ways self-knowledge contributes to purpose and passion.
Andrew is a senior at Farmingdale State College on the cusp of finishing his bachelor's degree in Business Management. H22 CEO and Founder Heather Jerrehian was initially introduced to Andrew as he participated in one of our early ‘Founding Student User Cohorts’ providing valuable feedback as he got early access to the H22 platform.
Heather: When do you feel most energized — what are you doing?
Andrew: I feel most energized when I’m doing something I’m passionate about. I don’t think it’s one specific action, but when I have a goal or an ambition and I’m really working towards it, putting other things aside to get it done, I feel very excited. On the other side of that, I also feel my best when I’m near the water or somewhere relaxing. It’s that combination of working hard toward a goal and then finding the things that bring me down to just relax and fill me back up.
Heather: What is a strength you have that the world hasn’t fully seen yet?
Andrew: Definitely my creative side. I have these visions and ideas in my head that I really want the world to see in the future, whether that is through marketing, creating video content for YouTube, or even acting. I feel like I can bring a new level of creativity and a fresh vision that would be great to finally show off.
Heather: What skill are you deliberately building right now, and why?
Andrew: Two things came to mind: discipline and forgiveness. Lately, I’ve been trying to live a more disciplined lifestyle — eating healthier, getting better sleep, and getting my work done on time — because it gives you peace of mind. I’m also working on learning to forgive, both myself and other people. It ties into bettering yourself; if you can learn to let go of things that happened in the past, you can move toward the future with more calmness. The hardest part is forgiving yourself, but you have to make that active decision so it doesn't just weigh you down.
Heather: In a world where AI can do more and more, what should remain deeply human?
Andrew: A lot of people say art or music, but I think advertisements and commercials should remain very human. I use AI for everything — schoolwork, brainstorming ideas — but I’m not a big fan of it taking over that space. You can use the tools to help you and guide you, but you shouldn't fully depend on it to do everything for you. There is a human element to art and marketing that we need to keep.
Heather: Do you have a favorite quote or saying that strongly resonates with you?
Andrew: "Love hidden is love wasted". A teacher said it to me once, and I’ve kept it as my Instagram bio ever since. Whether you have feelings for someone or you have a big ambition or dream, don’t hide that love. If you do, it’s just a waste of your time and your life. You should tell people how you feel and pursue the things you love.
Heather: What does the statement “Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Taken” mean to you?
Andrew: It means there is nothing better than letting the true you come out. We spend so much time hiding who we really are, but that’s just baggage you don't want to deal with. You don't have to be super unique or afraid to fit in; you just have to find your own balance. Be the best version of you, and that’s all that matters.
Heather: What is a common misunderstanding about your generation you'd love to correct?
Andrew: A big misconception about Gen Z is that we’re lazy or don't want to work hard. I think we grew up watching our parents and millennials work incredibly hard and sometimes get almost nothing out of it. Because of that, we want to find better, more efficient solutions. It might look like we're looking for the easy way out, but we just want to live life a little better. Life isn't always about how much hard work you can do; sometimes you need to step back and actually enjoy it to have a better sense of being.
