Image Alumni ’18 Education BS in Entrepreneurial Studies Current Career Account Executive at Media Loft Location Minneapolis, Minnesota Where are you originally from and how did you hear about MCAD? I am originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My high school had a heavy emphasis on the arts and held a Portfolio Day that MCAD attended and reviewed my portfolio at. Why did you choose the bachelor of science program? I was a little lost, swimming through the dozen or so acceptance letters and deciding which institution would be the best path forward. It was when I finally looked deeper into MCAD's bachelor of science in entrepreneurial studies program that I felt like I found a good home. The featured profile on the site, with professor emeritus Jerry Allen describing entrepreneurial studies as "a fit for people who are both visual and verbal," struck me and I was sold. Briefly describe at least one of your internships. My final internship at MCAD was actually for MCAD, as a project manager on the Viewbook redesign project. It was months of coordinating the many elements that had to be accomplished in order to stitch together an exciting and unique new Viewbook for the school. The final product is still something I'm deeply proud of. How have things changed since graduating? Is there anything you miss about being a student at MCAD? No complaints since graduating. I've been very lucky to be surrounded by people, both personally and through work, that make the best of whatever situation is at hand and always manage to find fun and laughter in life. The thing I miss most about MCAD, though, is just being surrounded by the shared obsession with art (and art for art's sake). In the "real world" it is harder to carve time for projects that are only for your own passion or only to better your skills. It's easy to let it fall by the wayside, or get drawn into the gig economy where the focus is on monetization. MCAD students should definitely appreciate the environment of passion and exploration that is fostered on campus. Did MCAD prepare you for life after graduation? In what way? The bachelor of science program certainly had a heavy emphasis on preparing us for what's next. I always appreciated that working with real clients was built into the curriculum and helped boost our resumes. The faculty still being active in their fields was also essential; I definitely believe connections is one of the most valuable things MCAD gave me. Is there anything you wish you knew when you were an MCAD student? Take advantage of all of the equipment you're taking for granted! Take that "weird" course or the one outside your discipline. I've lost track of the number of times the thought "I wish I still had access to 'x' in the print/3D/media lab!" has popped into my head. Name your biggest takeaway from the program? The polish to a great big idea is what counts. Don't get lazy with the little details, because it is those small things that will set you apart. Also—network your butt off! What accomplishments are you most proud of? Honestly, my career as a whole is a great pride of mine. The fact that I have been considered an essential component to my agencies - even in a junior role - is a great compliment to me. The trust that is put in me to manage client relationships and interact with the C-Suite of Fortune 500 corporations speaks volumes. What advice do you have for current MCAD students and/or artists at the beginning of their creative careers? Follow your passion and trust that hard work will land you where you are supposed to be. We can't predict the future, but sometimes if our dream is getting to the letter Z we have to start at A and watch the dominoes fall. Also, get comfortable with asking questions. It will show you care, it will show you want to learn, and you'll probably end up looking smart for it. How do you feel about the Twin Cities? I love the Twin Cities. I truly expected to leave after college but a number of things beyond just my career have kept me put. I love the mixture of green spaces in urban environments. The unique neighborhoods; knowing how food and style will be different in Northeast versus South Minneapolis. There's a lot to explore despite the small feeling the city can have. Describe what you do for work and how you feel about it. As an account executive my role is really that of both a communicator and a do-er. We are the go-between for the agency and the clients, and have to make sure the best-interests of both groups are protected. So when my clients discuss their business objectives, I listen, and work with the agency team to create ideas that help them achieve those goals. When my creatives present great ideas, I figure out how to make shit happen. It's a balance of human-centered connection—being a trusted confidant—and logistic juggling from budgets, to timelines and beyond. The beauty of account management is understanding the project from the tiniest detail, all the way up to the big picture. For someone like me, who is both left- and right-brained and loves a puzzle, it keeps me on my toes and keeps the job interesting. How did you get your job? After two and half years at the advertising agency BBDO I've made good connections in the Minneapolis advertising industry. Through mutual contacts, a talent scout (and former MCADian!) found me and offered that I may be a good fit for the role at Media Loft! Prior to that, my very first role at BBDO actually came to me through former MCAD President Jay Coogan. After watching me present at an admissions event for prospective students, he took my business card and passed it off to his neighbor, who just so happened to be the CEO of BBDO Minneapolis. Favorite project you worked on for a client? My job creates such a wide variety of deliverables, it's hard to cherry-pick. My final project with BBDO, though, was a fun and unusual one. As an extra we pitched the idea of bacon-scented face masks to our client Hormel® Black Label® Bacon. The idea grew and grew into a massive PR initiative, garnering over 1 billion impressions for a sweepstakes where consumers can enter for a chance to win their very own pack of Breathable Bacon. What inspires you/your work? The ever-shifting puzzle that is my job, finding solutions, and adapting when the unexpected happens. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing a final project come together. Current obsession? Crossword puzzles, vintage Edward Gorey paraphernalia, and reruns of America's Next Top Model. Nora K. Creative