Brittany Brown knew immediately Gateway was the right college for her. It offered the exact program she wanted to pursue as well as offering it online, giving her the flexibility she needed at that point in her life.
“I chose Gateway specifically for the Graphic Design program because it was fully remote, which was exactly what I was looking for. I had a job, so I needed to be able to complete my schoolwork at any time of the day,” she said.
The program, taught online and in person on campus, gives students many class format and time options, making it possible for them to fit higher education into their already busy schedules and lives.
But, while the appeal of virtual learning is what hooked Brittany early on, it was her instructors who kept her motivated and engaged throughout her studies.
“I could tell my instructors genuinely cared about us as students and wanted us to succeed. I never felt hesitant to reach out to them and could always count on them for help.
“They let us each explore our unique design styles while still giving us constructive feedback, which further developed our skills. They even built an online environment where we could share our projects with our classmates and receive peer reviews, which was extremely insightful.”
While much of the coursework was specific to graphic design, Brittany also benefited from the classes that had a different focus. In fact, it was a professional development course that was her favorite and perhaps most helpful in launching her career.
She said, “The assets and skills we learned in that class prepared us for the rigorous job search process a few weeks before official graduation. By the time I obtained my degree, I already had job leads.”
Today, Brittany is living out her career dream, working a job she says she loves – and her passion is evident.
“I am currently working in my field of study as an environmental graphic designer,” said Brittany. “I work within the construction industry, specifically the sign industry, and I LOVE it.
“I design anything from wayfinding signs that guide people to their destination, like airports, cities and hotels, to giant monument signs you see driving down the road, or illuminated letters on a building.
“My job is 50 percent creative and 50 percent technical, which is the perfect balance for me as I spend half my day designing and the other half building the blueprints. I never even knew that design existed within this industry until I took the professional development course.”
So, what would she tell others interested in pursuing their dreams at Gateway?
“Gateway is a wonderful college that has mastered focusing on the necessary life skills needed to succeed in the field you pursue,” says Brittany. “Upon graduation, you feel confident entering the professional world.