How have your personal and professional goals (including your Personal Quest) evolved during your time at Quinnipiac?
When starting at Quinnipiac, my goals were typical goals student would make. I wanted to end every semester with above a 3.0 GPA. I wanted to graduate being an AT as well as get into the PT graduate program. I wanted to join 2 or 3 clubs I wouldn’t be interested in. I wanted to get an internship that would help my future. Some semesters were better than others, per usual. After freshman year, I had achieved my goal of getting above a 3.0 every semester. Fortunately, I am no long an Athletic Training major so my goal of graduating as an AT and furthering my education in PT dissipate after freshman year. I did join a club as well as get a job. Myself nor my parents expected me to have a job throughout college. I started working at the Technology Center my sophomore year. I joined a sorority which never in a million years did I see myself doing that.
Discuss how the knowledge acquired and skills developed in your Interactive Media + Design coursework have prepared you professionally and/or personally.
I originally came into Quinnipiac as an Athletic Training major. Since I was younger, my parents, friends, friends parents, etc. have told me I should have gotten involved in something having to do with computers or art. I switched into the IDD program my sophomore year at Quinnipiac. Coming into the program, I had no idea how to use anything having to do with Adobe Creative Suite. I always enjoyed drawing and playing around on my computer with programs such as Paint and Windows Movie Maker so I was excited to learn new ways of showing my artistic abilities. Each of my professors have taught me different skills that have helped me become a stronger designer. I learned more of the technical aspects of programs as well as how to use different design techniques. I learned how to not take criticism to heart. Critique was all part of the field. My professors have taught me more life skills as well as design skills. I learned how to be more creative and open minded. I learned that there is never just one solution to any problem or any ideas.
What impact did the classes outside of the School of Communications, including your UC/general education coursework and your minor, have on your overall educational experience? Describe how the knowledge acquired and skills developed in those courses have prepared you professionally and/or personally.
I have taken a lot of classes outside my major that have benefited me in my future. Classes such as art, public relations, and Spanish have benefited me. Art classes have furthered my design abilities by allowing me to be able to work in different formats such as drawing or painting as opposed to using my computer. It helped my style and understand the design principles. I have taken Spanish my entire school career until I got to college. I took a Spanish class sophomore year to refresh my mind. Spanish can benefit me a lot. You never know if your client or boss is going to be bilingual and you’ll need to know or recognize the language. I’m aware public relations classes still fall under School of Communications but the classes have helped me tremendously. I wanted to be more involved in the business or social media side of Graphic Design. Public relation classes have helped me develop good social media management and marketing skills as well as helped me be able to see graphic design from the public relation aspects.
- How did your internship experience/s prepare you for your chosen career field?
Throughout my time at Quinnipiac, I have had the opportunity of having two internships. My first internship took place at the end of my sophomore year going into summer. I worked for Park Group Solutions in Monroe, Connecticut. I was the Digital Intern. I created email blasts and illustrations for several clients in the Long Island area. At the end of junior year, I was offered an internship with Volt Digital which is actually a startup company from a Quinnipiac alumni who graduated a year before me. I was the Digital Marketing intern for the summer and it eventually turned into a part-time job as Account Manager. I ran several clients social media pages and created engaging, visual images and illustrations for each client’s audience. Both internships helped in different ways. My internship at Park Group Solutions helped me learn more about InDesign and Illustrator while my Volt Digital experience helped me realize that I wanted to be involved in the marketing aspect of Graphic Design. It also allowed me to be able to use what I learned in my Public Relations classes.
If you pursued additional experiential learning opportunities (ex: study abroad, QU in LA, service learning, alternative spring break, a QU travel course, etc.), reflect on what you learned from those experiences.
I traveled to La Romana, Dominican Republic for QU301 this past summer. I took part in a mission/service trip with other QU students as well as a church in Wallingford. The experience I had was eye opening and I will cherish it forever. I learned not to take anything for granted. The people in the Bateyes were some of the kindest and wonderful people I have ever met. The children were all so loving and so accepting which is completely opposite of how children in the United States are. The adults of the Bateyes were extremely interesting to talk to and learn more about their lives. I encountered a blind man who knew his way around the village and made a living for himself. My trip to La Romana will always hold a special place in my heart.
What role did co-curricular activities play in your overall educational experience?
I participated in a few intramural sports such as volleyball and basketball. It made me meet some new people as well as stay active and involved. I joined Gamma Phi Beta sorority my sophomore year and it was a great decision. I met most of my lifelong friends from joining Gamma Phi. It has given me several connections that I never imagined having. I also work at the Technology Center and it has helped me learn more life skills such as patience, customer service, etc.
Overall, how would you assess your Quinnipiac experience?
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