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CSUN student commits to school, family & reality

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Contributed by: Claire Atiee on 5/4/2008

Like many college students, Kevin Bell, 20, feels he wants a change in his college career.

The problem is, his other career -the family business.

This young student has the tough decision to either stay in Los Angeles, or follow his idea of moving to Texas to finish school. After careful consideration, Bell decided to follow his heart, and stick with what he felt is right.

In his second year at California State University, Northridge, Bell is getting bored with the college scene in Los Angeles. After visiting him at work, it is clear, though, that he is deeply embedded in his family's business, even at his young age.

"I had agreed to be part of the company, and eventually run it with my brother so that our Dad could retire," Bell said. " I would be (hurting) my parents if I left."

Bingo, the problem. Bell has already been working for the company full time for two years, and is fully ingrained.

The idea of making your parents happy, and making a smart career choice, can be a tough decision for a 20-year-old. Trying something new, and getting away for a while is also very enticing. Bell is a prime example of many college aged people, and a good person for young people to relate to.

Cinetyp, the Bell family business, is a company that does subtitles for films. It is a small business withfewer than 20 employees. They average about 800 films a year.

Bell's parents, being Swiss natives, started the business when they moved to Hollywood, but the original location is in Switzerland.

Now that Bell's family owns the Hollywood location, he said it would be hard for him to leave something they all worked so hard for. It is located in the heart of Hollywood. It is the blood and flesh of Bell family.

"It is my parents livelihood, without it, they wouldn't have anything," Bell says. " Everything they have is from working so hard and making that company a success."

Bell handles the information technology and web master at Cinetyp, and also does a lot of the subtitling. He explained that it would be too difficult for them to find another employee to fill his place few a few years, because the training for this difficult job takes about that amount of time.

Bell is making $18 per hour right now, and says that that is hard wage to give up at age 20. The other issue, he explained, is that they want to keep both Bell and his brother in the business, rather than bring someone else in.

"The family business ensures work within the film industry for him, especially in subtitling" explains Britt Hysen, Bell's good friend since high school. " It gives him the option of working internationally, so a little time will lead to great opportunity!"

Last summer is when Bell discovered his interest for Austin. On a trip with a friend of his, he saw the campus. He instantly fell in love. At first, he was not sure why he loved Austin so much. Could it be the amazing barbecue? All the live music? The balmy summer nights? No. He realized it was the way of life. Slower.
"It's a calm L.A., everyone is nice and sincere there," Bell said.

Changing colleges can be an amazing and positive experience. It can also be a stupid decision. For Bell, following his head may be better than following his heart. Bell also understands that going to that university could be a time of expansion and exploration.

"Given the current state of our economy, as we are in a recession, Kevin would be foolhardy to walk away," said Patrice Evans, a family friend. "It is a stable family business, and he would pursue a state and career that would be unknown if he left."

Bell listened to those who care about him, and decided to finish school in Los Angeles.

"If I had the opportunity to be part of a family company like the Kevin does, I would never give that up," said Hysen, 19. " I understand him wanting to leave, but this is too good to pass up."

"Family is too important to just leave," Bell says. "They have never abandoned me, why would I do that to them?"

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