Hi everyone! My name is Jillian Nalezny and I am a senior studying graphic design. I am the Graphic Design and Content Creation Assistant for CCM, so I make the videos and graphics advertising the upcoming events in the office. My college experience has flown by and I have loved my time at DePaul!
I went into college knowing I wanted to major in graphic design because I’ve always loved art and wanted to major in something where I could be creative. I fell in love with graphic design instantly, and it has been a huge part of my life ever since. I didn’t minor in anything, but I did make it a point to take classes unrelated to my major to broaden my perspectives and add some variety to my schedule. One of my favorite classes I’ve taken at DePaul was called Pictures of Injustice: Narrative Arts in Social Justice Movements with Professor Ken Butigan. It opened my eyes to social justice movements and leaders that I hadn’t been familiar with before.
I found CCM early on in my freshman year when I attended the New Student Retreat and it became a core part of my college experience. CCM was important to me because I wanted to continue living out my faith in college and I wanted to be around people who share similar beliefs as myself. I met some of my best friends in this community and learned a lot more about my faith by staying involved both as a member and employee of this office. I am also a part of the Catholic Women’s Group, which is another big reason that I love being a part in CCM.
Besides CCM, I’m also involved in the College of Computing and Digital Media as president of the club HerCDM and a Student Ambassador. HerCDM is a club based on empowering women who are emerging into the tech industry. I have loved getting the chance to meet some incredible women who are paving the way for so many young women in this industry.
My plans for the future are all over the place, but I know I want to stay in Chicago. I would like to find a job in design, specifically having to do with branding and or packaging design. I’m excited to have time to work on more personal projects and hopefully pick up a few new hobbies.
My advice to anyone starting college is that it’s okay to not know what you’re doing. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed being in a whole new environment, trying to navigate the new independence you have. Everyone, whether they admit it or not, is feeling the same way. Take it one step at a time and know that you’ll find the community where you fit best. You’ll hear this so many times, but it’s true, make the most of your time in college because it’ll go by fast.
