Going way back to 2014…I’m heading into college with no clue if I’ve chosen the right major. Initially, I went into the Nursing program - learning shortly after beginning that blood isn’t something I’m super comfortable around. So, I took a hard left and switched to Environmental Science. I always loved being outdoors so this seemed like something I could get behind. Fast forward to the semester before my senior year, and I realized this also was not something I could do forever. After a lot of talks with my family and friends, I decided to give the Design program a chance; I’d always been “artsy” but never thought it was something I could do for a career. Fortunately, I found my space. I was even nominated and chosen by the Faculty and Staff in the Art & Design Department to be the 2019-2020 Student of Excellence.

Graduating during COVID was challenging - everyone was getting laid off and I was competing for jobs against people with years of experience. However, I was eventually offered a position as the Assistant Director of Athletic Marketing - Creative Design as Utah Valley University. After about a year, I decided it was time to move back home. I moved back to Minnesota after accepting a job as the Content Marketing Specialist at Enlightened Equipment. While I loved what I did there, I wanted to work remotely and (lucky for me) my boss had recently been hired at a fully remote company and they were looking for a Graphic Designer, so she took me with her - which led me to Fountayn (formerly Datatrak). Unfortunately, after about a year at this company, I was laid off due to budget cuts.

I took a few months off because I was planning my wedding, but eventually was offered a position as the Digital Marketing Strategist at McLoone Metal Graphics, where I still am today!