I always joke that I opted against a four-year arts degree because it would’ve made me too much money, so I got a Bachelor’s in sociology instead. The irony is that I only chose sociology because I was scared off by the ‘starving artist’ myth. But by the time I graduated in 2022, I knew I didn’t want to pursue a graduate degree that would make my sociology degree profitable and that I’d be both poor and unhappy if I tried to pursue a career in the social sciences. So there I was, back at ground zero with six figures in student debt.

Feeling like I had nothing to lose, I googled “highest paying arts careers” and read through a list until my eyes stopped on Graphic Designer. It immediately felt like the perfect fit, and I was mad at myself for not pursuing it in the first place. But the beauty of this pivot was that my sociology degree wasn’t the loss I thought it was, as I gained analytical and communication skills that would give me an edge as a designer. So I signed up for the graphic design program at Austin Community College and worked my way towards an associate’s degree, thrilled to have finally found my place.

Throughout the program, I started figuring out what kinds of design interest me most. I discovered that I really enjoy designing marketing materials, product packaging, and perhaps most of all, brand identities. My personal style began to take shape as well; while versatile, I gravitate toward bold color contrasts, textured elements, and collage work. I also developed a preference for edgy, grungy aesthetics, and I like taking a playful approach to design.

My path to graphic design hasn’t been a straight line, but it feels like the right one. Combining my background in sociology with my newfound design skills has allowed me to finally find a career that blends creativity with purpose—and one that makes me genuinely excited for the future.