About

Foundational Background (2011-2015)

Education

I received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, & the Arts (U-M LSA) in 2015. I majored in Communication Studies (rebranded as Communication and Media in 2019), with a double minor in History of Art (U-M LSA) and Business Administration (The Stephen M. Ross School of Business).

I had the unique opportunity to participate in a study abroad program called Arts in Paris. The program was structured into two parts: a French language course at the Institut Catholique de Paris and an art history course composed of part in-class instruction, part site visits to many of Paris’ churches, museums, and chateaux.

Internships

During my time in undergrad, I did two internships. My first internship (1.5 years) was in fashion editorial; as one of the (Guest) Contributor writers, I authored the bimonthly DIY column. Link to complete articles written here. I also interned as an assistant to the accounting department at the SuZhou branch of Littelfuse, a multinational electronic manufacturing company.

Post-Grad (2015-2018)

Job Experience

In full disclosure, post-graduation, I wasn’t quite sure as to where to take my career. My personal circumstances led me to look for jobs within my degree in Virginia. In the meantime, I took a part-time/temp-to-hire job at a local screen printing shop doing mostly grunt retail work, as a means to earn some cash to pay off my student loans while I job-hunt. When those future plans were unexpectedly canceled, as well as getting laid off from lack of business, I was at a loss as to which path to take. I started freelancing as a fashion stylist/personal shopper, and in time, begin to think about how to grow the business. I entertained the idea of creating a start-up styling service, similar to a subscription service but with my unique personal touch. Looking at other similar services, I knew I didn’t want to do the standard algorithmic process of choosing items, but rather a more in-depth, client-based service. I identified several areas where my service was more client-oriented than the competitors, and started working on a design to how the site would look and function. At that point, I realized I had no idea on how to take this abstract idea and transform it into a working business-model. I turned my attention into pursuing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), so I took almost a year off to study for the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Ultimately, I decided that the MBA path was not was right for me, but my scores are as follows:

Overall: 227 out of 240.

Verbal Reasoning: 162 out of 170, 90th percentile.

Quantitative Reasoning: 165 out of 170, 85 percentile.

Analytical Writing: 5.0 out of 6.0, 92nd percentile.

Total: 327 out of 340

Current (2018-present)

Graphic Design

Since I took the GRE late fall of 2018, I knew I had to do something in the meantime while I prepped for graduate school. Perusing online job boards, I found an opportunity as an art assistant to the art department at a (different) local screen-printing shop, one that was larger and had stores nationwide and an excellent growth track. I immediately landed the job, and within five months, was promoted to the graphic artist position. During my time there, I quickly rose up the levels of artist, finding myself as a level four artist within a year. Realizing that I learned as much as I possibly could there, I decided to leave and pursue more challenges to further my growth in design.

Back to the drawing board, I found myself perusing online job boards again, and saw an excellent opportunity at the University of Michigan’s School of Education. I knew it was the right job for me at the time, as I could become more familiar with the University in a non-undergraduate setting, as well as build relationships and connections with staff and faculty with the end goal of MBA at University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business in the horizon, as the two schools were geographically neighbors. In addition, I found my previous post somewhat isolated, and this graphic design opportunity allowed me to be more involved in the greater community. The contract length of the position was also inline with my own career goals.

Future Goals

While I do find my current job very fulfilling, it becomes monotonous very quickly. As with any in-house communications, as a designer, you are limited to the organization’s branding. There was only so much I could do with sans serif fonts and the colors, maize and blue (navy) and sometimes gray. Due to COVID-19, I have been indefinitely relocated to the confines of my own home, as Universities are practically incubators of germs and diseases. The pandemic also allowed my superiors and I to negotiate a temporary extension of my contract; the University continues to evaluate and adjust their plans of reopening and continuing with the fall semester, which inevitably affects the staff, including hiring processes. I was more than happy to aid in both restructuring our organization’s 2020-2021 plans as well as the transition of a new communications team, including my replacement.

As Ann Arbor is a college town, the entire city is very academia-based with little to no opportunities for arts and design. Even more so as many organizations and businesses struggle with adapting to COVID-19. While it is difficult to leave home, I know that Ann Arbor is too small for my liking. I’ve always been ambitious and a go-getter, and settling in a quiet peaceful existence is not one for me. I am forever needing to be challenged creatively, and my true passions in art and design can be best pursued in a large, metropolitan city. My life’s dream has always been to do fashion design, and I need to be in the “Capital of Fashion” to try it out to see if it is really for me, or if my passion would divert me to other avenues of design. I remain open to what paths and opportunities will present to me.

Resume

To access and view my full resume, please click here.