Everyone wants to find their place in the world. Everyone wants to succeed, wants to accomplish their goals, wants to feel proud of what they’ve done. And me? I want to be the person that helps others achieve that. In many ways, I have already started. Working as a mentor and teacher for three years to undergraduate students in the Judy Genshaft Honors College, I fulfilled my want to guide others to success. I helped students set realistic goals that meant something to them, regardless of if they were conventional or expected. Some students wanted to set academic goals and career goals and follow traditional paths— but others had something else in store for them. Creative goals, personal goals, experience goals; All things just as important as the rest but sometimes overlooked, but I refused to let my students push them to the side. As someone who pursues the arts myself beyond my academic career (and sees it as just as important) I see the value in all goals, and how all people benefit from a little bit of guidance. Many times I have had students reach out to me many semesters after their time in my classroom to tell me they would have never found journalism or joined a band or done undergraduate research if I had not pushed them to look beyond what was expected of them.I do this in my work as a graphic design specialist as well. I push clients to think further, to think outside just what is necessary. What are the larger goals of the company or campaign, how do you want people to think of it in 5 years? Have you thought about both the long term and the short term? How can we communicate that to your audience through colors and shapes and images? Walking with clients on their journey to create something meaningful and memorable, I provide guidance and support every step of the way.I am unsure what the future of my career life has in store for me, but I know one thing: wherever I end up, it will be leading and improving the lives of others.
