The Third Year

As a little recap, this time last year I was returning from a frustrating, albeit rewarding and eye-opening, co-op that challenged me to question both myself and my role in the workplace. From there, things only got messier. Over the summer semester, I completed my first, full semester, industrial design project, which subsequently pushed me to question both my design skills and my selection of the industrial design program at UC. Through that roller coaster of a process, I grappled with choosing my next co-op. Do I apply to new companies in search of a "traditional industrial design" experience or do I risk returning to Bilstein as a part of the marketing team? To me, this was between missing a semester of industrial design work experience, which could potential set me back in comparison to my peers, or taking a unique opportunity to explore a non-industrial design career path that interests me. I decided to go for it.

I finished up the semester and packed up to move across the country to California. It was one of the best choice I have ever made. I don't know if it was the incredible team, the amazing new friends, or just the California sunshine, but California changed me. My co-op mentor showed me that everything truly would be okay. My new friends and co-workers showed me how to be open to new experiences and that sometimes I'm not fine and that that's ok. My job allowed me to find a passion in my work and to explore new areas of interest that I wouldn't have found otherwise. Overall, I left California a lighter and better version of myself.

Now you are all caught up to the spring 2018 semester, which, can I just say, what a blast. I made some amazing new friends. I explored an entirely new area of design, that again, while not "traditional industrial design", challenged and pushed me in new ways that I never expected. Looking back on it, that's the funny thing about design school, projects, and life really. They all start out as such clean slates with endless possibilities. Eventually, as you bump along, you develop an idea of where you want to go. But, by the end, you end up somewhere completely different, not sure how you got there but damn proud that you did. Or maybe that's just me.

Looking ahead, I'm on a roll. I am currently co-oping at a branding consultancy in downtown Cincinnati and I couldn't be more excited as I think I've found my "widget", as the infamous Beth Ann Herrin calls it. This fall I will be studying abroad in the Netherlands taking brand strategy courses and, for the spring, well, who knows. But, I'll make sure to update you next time. 
 

Until next year,
Alexis Begnoche