Hello! My name is Lauren Urbanski, and I use She\/Her pronouns. I have been working at the University Center for a year as a Graphic Designer in the UC Graphics and Marketing department! This fall semester, I will be a junior majoring in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design (BA) and minoring in Marketing. I enjoy capturing nature through photography, binge-watching great TV shows and movies, discovering new music, and spending quality time with my family, friends\u2014and of course, my mini Goldendoodle, Biscuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell us a little bit about your department.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Working with the UC Graphics and Marketing department has been incredibly inspiring. It\u2019s a team full of dedicated, hardworking individuals who truly care about what they do. Everyone is so supportive and kind, creating an office environment that feels genuinely welcome. Each person brings a unique and special set of skills, making the department wonderfully diverse. Every time I walk into the office, my heart feels warm, and my soul is uplifted. I’m truly honored to work alongside such a talented group of people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What does an average day look like working for the UC? What does your position<\/strong> entail?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As a Graphic Designer, I start my workday by greeting my coworkers, then checking my email, Webex, and project planner to review my schedule and priorities. Depending on what needs my attention, I either continue working on current design projects in Adobe Illustrator or print posters for the University Center. Once a design is approved, I create different formats of the poster to meet various needs. After finalizing the files, I print everything that needs to be delivered. I also take on mini tasks around the office to help in any way I can. As a designer, having other eyes on my work is crucial\u2014I regularly receive and provide feedback on projects alongside the other designers in the office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why should students visit the UC?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The University Center is a great place to get involved in what interests you. One of the best things about the UC is its welcoming environment and the wide variety of events it hosts\u2014there\u2019s something for everyone, and it\u2019s a space where you can truly be yourself. UC offers opportunities for students to engage, learn, and grow. It\u2019s also a perfect place to relax, study, or even sing your heart out at karaoke night. College can be overwhelming and stressful at times, but stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to discovering new passions and connecting with people who make the journey worthwhile. So, when the next UC event comes around, don\u2019t overthink it\u2014just go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n How will your position at the UC help you in your future career?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My position at the UC has been the most rewarding experience of my college career. When I first stepped into the role of Graphic Designer, I felt overwhelmed and unsure if I had the skills needed for the job. However, looking back, I can confidently say that I\u2019ve grown, not only as a designer but as a person. This position has helped me build a level of confidence I never thought I could achieve. I\u2019ve also developed a wide range of skills that will support my future career, including working with Adobe Illustrator, understanding professional workplace etiquette, managing projects, and improving my time management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Explain a little about the connections you have made working in the UC.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The connections I\u2019ve made while working at the UC have allowed me to collaborate and expand my social network with employees and staff across the entire University Center. Not only within the Graphics and Marketing department, but also with people from various departments throughout the UC. Since starting here, I\u2019ve found mentors I look up to and formed genuine friendships with some truly amazing individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you balance school, work, extracurricular activities, and a social life?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Balancing all of your commitments and social activities can be very challenging. However, finding a scheduling method that works for you is essential. Personally, I have found that for work, using Trello helps me stay on track with project deadlines related to both designing and printing. For school, I rely on a physical planner where I can write down everything I need to accomplish each day. This helps me stay organized and on top of my assignments. One thing I always remind myself, something my mom often tells me, is to \u201ctake one day at a time\u201d and \u201ctake one task at a time.\u201d That advice has helped shift my perspective and remind me not to panic about what is coming next. I focus on what is in front of me and continue to do my best.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"