I grew up in Clements, Minnesota, and went to school in Springfield. I’ve always loved nature, sports, and video games—interests that have stayed with me. In high school, while registering for classes, I picked “Digital Imaging” as a filler course with my friends. We had a fun teacher, and the class was enjoyable, but unlike my friends, I took it more seriously. I found myself excited to go to class every day, and eager to learn more.

One day, after I had signed up for the advanced course in my senior year, my teacher pulled me aside and asked if I had considered pursuing this as a career. Until then, I hadn’t thought about it as more than just a class, but that conversation stuck with me. By the end of my senior year, while still taking the class with my friends, I officially decided that graphic design was the field I wanted to pursue in college.

I enrolled at Southeast Technical College with a couple of high school friends, all starting in the Media Design Technology program. By the end of our first year, they had switched majors, but I remained committed. Compared to my friends, I had always taken it more seriously and saw it as more than just an interest—I saw a future in it.

I love using my creativity and skills to design logos, banners, ads, and more. My strengths lie in the digital aspects of design, and thanks to my high school experience, I already have a solid foundation in design software. Now, after further training, I have become proficient.

What started as a filler class has now become a passion and a career path. I’m excited to keep learning, improving my skills, and creating meaningful designs.