The four alumni that visited provided me with reassurance on the path that I have chosen. They each explained how important it is to volunteer and do internships.
The first speaker was Nick Swift. He helped create the Swift distillery alongside his wife. He explained how important it was to get to know people at the school because they can support you after college. He expressed this importance of networking and researching. He explained the usefulness in his company of web designers, package designers, food designers, and food and beverage PR people. His company took 6 years before it finally took off. I learned how important it was to work at something for a while and then it would eventually pay off.
The next presenter was Rebecca Marino, who is a gallery director for Pump Project. She gave the best example of how to search for what is the best career choice to follow through taking many internships and volunteering. Many of her jobs tied in to what she was taught in school. Her volunteering paid off as it resulted in her getting a job there. I realized with her presentation that I need to search the field more so I can figure out what would be the best place for me to be in.
The third presenter was Alex Roka, who works in Graphic design, the same major as me. He talked about how we as students need to search around the field. He talked about how he has worked with various large companies through large teams. He explained how he created an online portfolio, and how it’s helped him get more business through people reaching out for his work. His presentation was the most influential to me.
The final presenter was Taylor Browning, an art major. She does basically everything for her company that she works for. She explains the importance of being flexible when it comes to work. She also says that the classes at the college aid in learning later on in life. With her I learned how important it is to be a creative and critical thinker.
