Katie Jones, a Graphic Design major, shares her insights on navigating college life, from her experience switching majors to her time working with Treefort Music Fest and gaining confidence through experience and involvement.
Katie’s Story
What is your major and how did you end up there?
“I started college as a biology major, actually, and now I’m graphic design. So kind of, do with that what you will. But I definitely thought I was going to be a zoologist and so I started college fully biology, doing math, chemistry, and biology classes. Now I’ve switched my major, which was one of the easiest processes I’ve ever had to do on campus. I received so much help from people on campus. It was so easy to book an appointment with Career Services, or just talk to my teachers and peers about the difficulty I was having with not fully knowing what I still wanted to do, and having second thoughts. That’s definitely something I’ve always told people, especially incoming freshmen, is that it’s okay to not know what you want to do.”
Tell us about your Treefort Music Fest internship experience. What was a highlight for you?
“At the beginning of college, I didn’t know much about Treefort, and I gradually started to learn more about it, especially when I was a tour guide. I have always loved the music scene and music’s been really important to me. I quickly learned how important Treefort was in the Boise community. I used Handshake, actually, to apply for Treefort. I had a regular interview process, and ended up being really lucky to get the spot. It has honestly now been, I think, the highlight of my college experience. When you get the opportunity to be part of a music festival, go to shows, and be part of a team that truly cares so much about such a big event and so many people. I’m amazed by what a small group of people can kind of pull off in this city.
The highlight for me was just the team of people I’ve been able to meet and network with. Now I am starting to realize it’s something I would want to pursue, potentially in my future. I feel like I’ve been able to make Boise feel a lot more like a larger space for myself, where I know there’s even more opportunities. I can tell that there’s a major difference in who I am, and my confidence within applying to places as a student, or knowing that it’s okay to not have all these skills yet, but to be really open to learning. I think as long as you’re showing that openness to learn and meet new people, that’s really key.”
So if you could go back and give your freshman self one piece of advice based on this experience, what would it be?
“Try and immerse yourself on campus as much as possible, if not, into the Boise city, because that’s where I was able to find a place I feel I belong and really come in tune to who I am. So if I could tell my younger self, something that I now know today, it would be to make sure to not compare myself to other students, or maybe your siblings, or your friends. Everyone’s on their individual path. Nothing you’re doing is right or wrong compared to someone else. I changed my major, I’ve done different jobs, I’ve been involved in different things on campus. Do what you think you’ll be successful in. What plays into your strengths.”
Discover Your Path
Finding your place and your path in college can be a practice in trial and error. Katie’s journey, switching majors from science to arts and embracing her place in the Boise community, has all come from the willingness to try something new.
It’s totally normal to not know your whole life plan as you enter college, or even stick with the same plan during college! Come in with an open mind and eagerness to find your path through new experiences.