When writing about who I am and what I enjoy doing, I have always had a hard time because truly, I enjoy most everything. Learning and being curious about myself, the people, and places around me are what sparks joy for me. The best way I have found to express this intrinsic love for knowledge is through design.
Growing up, I didn’t have access to the internet. Though this was frustrating at some points, it really made me think outside of the box when it came to entertainment. My father was an art teacher who specialized in 3D modeling and got into digital art before it became mainstream. In the computer room, there was a bookcase full of books, but what stood out to me most was the Photoshop case. Before Adobe became a subscription service, they sold physical CDs of their programs. I would spend hours in middle school Photoshopping my dad’s coworkers, putting glasses on one person or swapping facial features on another. This was really my first dip into design.
In high school, I transitioned into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), though I never fully lost my love for art. I enjoyed the rigor and precision that the STEM fields required. Math and science fascinated me. If you asked me what my favorite class was in high school, I probably would have said Earth to Space, our geology and astronomy course, or Geometry. I genuinely enjoyed both, but part of that enjoyment came from learning to find value in every subject. Between extracurriculars, jobs, and sports, I didn’t have time to waste on things that didn’t challenge or teach me something, so I made a habit of uncovering lessons wherever I could.
Even though the arts were supported in my parents’ households, I still felt like it wasn’t a feasible option for me. I had so many varied interests, but they were all so different. What was the through line?
Going to college was always a hope, but never a guarantee. College is incredibly expensive, and I wasn’t sure it was worth the financial risk. When I received my acceptance to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, along with the financial aid that made it possible, I felt both relieved and determined. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity.
At first, I decided to apply to the Wisconsin School of Business. However, after taking a few prerequisites, I was itching to get back into art. I took a low-level art class and immediately fell in love. I especially loved getting to work in Photoshop. I realized that instead of pursuing a general marketing degree and trying to climb the corporate ladder, I wanted to study graphic design and learn the groundwork of the artists I hoped to lead one day.
In May 2025, I graduated from UW-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Art: Graphic Design, but I still felt like I was missing the knowledge needed to be an effective leader. I wanted to understand the business side of arts organizations, and that’s where the Bolz Center for Arts Administration came in.
The Bolz Center has given me the opportunity to not only learn what it means to run a business, but also to engage with different parts of the arts and humanities. Through my Applied Learning Placement (ALP) at the Madison Symphony Orchestra, I am doing just that. Currently, I am writing blog posts and creating content for their social media. I still get to design, but this position has also helped me hone my writing skills by adapting my voice to different platforms and audiences. The planning and organizational structures of my ALP are giving me firsthand experience in what it would be like to manage a creative team.
After graduating from the Bolz Center, I hope to one day become an Art Director for a company that values curiosity and collaboration. Ideally, I’ll continue designing in some way, whether that means refining advertisements or developing merchandise concepts. Ultimately, I want to work alongside creative people who are as eager to learn as I am.
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