What? So What?
Another year just passed by so quickly that I just can’t imagine it would. Although I am still in the second (academic) semester of my sophomore year, I can say that I have just spent another year at UC. Comparing to my freshman year, when I learned a lot in adapting to new culture and life style, acquiring new skills and knowledge, gaining self-confidence and committing myself in social activities, my sophomore year has been a little bit different. I have gained deeper and more professional design knowledge and experiences, served the community more, and improved myself as a leader.
One of the most important events happening during my sophomore year that probably changed my point of view was the co-op experience. I was lucky enough to be able to get into the co-op program in DAAP and landed my first co-op job after a few interviews. Working at Valentines Research Inc. was a great experience for me, that I had a chance to apply my skills and knowledge in graphic design to the real world. I got my hands on a variety of different design fields: Information design, app design, and magazine ad design. I got to talk with a lot of people from different fields and learned from them. After my first co-op, I started to know where I want to focus on in my design future, that I wanted to go for interaction design. This is my passion that I have identified during this time. Since then, I actively searched more sources to learn coding, and followed more interaction designer in the world. Whenever there was any new trend that required new and innovative coding techniques, I always tried to find tutorials or sources so that I could learn myself. I also collaborated with a few friends for several personal projects: One is an industrial design friend in DAAP who would design a spice bottle and packaging with me for print design experience, the other one is a computer science student who would collaborate with me in designing a cooking or recipe app for the spice company mentioned above. Although these projects are just at the beginning phase, we are really excited and eager to learn and experience with projects that are out of DAAP.
As since last year, I have been the vice president of the University of Cincinnati Photography club, and we have been doing pretty well in organizing events and photo walks for our members. One time we planned a trip to a pumpkin farm in Kentucky in October so that we all could take pictures and have fun like other American natives. The members took a lot of good pictures and learned a lot in brightness, white balance, and composition in photography. The photo walks are also successful because members are always excited about sharing their pictures of the day and sharing camera kit experiences.
Now What?
From what I have experienced in my sophomore year, I would say to myself: “Try to reach out more, and give back more to the society.” Reaching out does not always mean just communication but also means reaching out for knowledge and experiences also. I am able to expand beyond my boundaries. Being a DAAP Ambassador since the fall allows me to give back to the community more, which means I can promote DAAP and UC image to high school students, and also to my international friends. Whenever they have any questions or concerns about DAAP, I am always the first one they come to ask. I got one tour last semester in which the girl and her family drove all the way from Detroit to see how awesome DAAP is. She was a junior in high school. I took them around and gave interesting information about DAAP. After the tour, her family and she thanked me for helping them finding the way around DAAP and around campus as well. I felt happy, and a little bit proud of myself for giving DAAP, in particular, and UC, in general, a chance to be the “Hottest College in America”. Personally, I have changed the way I feel about myself. I am no longer just a proud Vietnamese girl, I am now a proud Vietnamese graphic designer. Because of all the experiences I have had, I am more confident in the career path that I am taking.
Another year just passed by so quickly that I just can’t imagine it would. Although I am still in the second (academic) semester of my sophomore year, I can say that I have just spent another year at UC. Comparing to my freshman year, when I learned a lot in adapting to new culture and life style, acquiring new skills and knowledge, gaining self-confidence and committing myself in social activities, my sophomore year has been a little bit different. I have gained deeper and more professional design knowledge and experiences, served the community more, and improved myself as a leader.
One of the most important events happening during my sophomore year that probably changed my point of view was the co-op experience. I was lucky enough to be able to get into the co-op program in DAAP and landed my first co-op job after a few interviews. Working at Valentines Research Inc. was a great experience for me, that I had a chance to apply my skills and knowledge in graphic design to the real world. I got my hands on a variety of different design fields: Information design, app design, and magazine ad design. I got to talk with a lot of people from different fields and learned from them. After my first co-op, I started to know where I want to focus on in my design future, that I wanted to go for interaction design. This is my passion that I have identified during this time. Since then, I actively searched more sources to learn coding, and followed more interaction designer in the world. Whenever there was any new trend that required new and innovative coding techniques, I always tried to find tutorials or sources so that I could learn myself. I also collaborated with a few friends for several personal projects: One is an industrial design friend in DAAP who would design a spice bottle and packaging with me for print design experience, the other one is a computer science student who would collaborate with me in designing a cooking or recipe app for the spice company mentioned above. Although these projects are just at the beginning phase, we are really excited and eager to learn and experience with projects that are out of DAAP.
As since last year, I have been the vice president of the University of Cincinnati Photography club, and we have been doing pretty well in organizing events and photo walks for our members. One time we planned a trip to a pumpkin farm in Kentucky in October so that we all could take pictures and have fun like other American natives. The members took a lot of good pictures and learned a lot in brightness, white balance, and composition in photography. The photo walks are also successful because members are always excited about sharing their pictures of the day and sharing camera kit experiences.
Now What?
From what I have experienced in my sophomore year, I would say to myself: “Try to reach out more, and give back more to the society.” Reaching out does not always mean just communication but also means reaching out for knowledge and experiences also. I am able to expand beyond my boundaries. Being a DAAP Ambassador since the fall allows me to give back to the community more, which means I can promote DAAP and UC image to high school students, and also to my international friends. Whenever they have any questions or concerns about DAAP, I am always the first one they come to ask. I got one tour last semester in which the girl and her family drove all the way from Detroit to see how awesome DAAP is. She was a junior in high school. I took them around and gave interesting information about DAAP. After the tour, her family and she thanked me for helping them finding the way around DAAP and around campus as well. I felt happy, and a little bit proud of myself for giving DAAP, in particular, and UC, in general, a chance to be the “Hottest College in America”. Personally, I have changed the way I feel about myself. I am no longer just a proud Vietnamese girl, I am now a proud Vietnamese graphic designer. Because of all the experiences I have had, I am more confident in the career path that I am taking.