This post was updated February 13, 2017.
I am now working as the Marketing Specialist for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. We have 14 facilities across Ohio and Kentucky as well as many Child Care sites. My graphic design course [at Muskingum] taught me how to use Adobe Illustrator, which I use daily on print ads, internal promotions, and web graphics. My single camera video class taught me the basics of video editing which I use for social media and…YouTube [ads].
I got a lot out of my involvement with the Muscoljuan. As the chief editor for two years (2011 and 2012), I got to practice my graphic design skills and now continue getting to be the creative go-to guy at the association. When applying for this position, I was able to use things in my portfolio.
I always say that it was great that I was able to go to a liberal arts school because as an 18-year-old I didn't know what I wanted to do. So, being an International Business and Spanish major hasn't limited me to becoming the graphic designer/marketer I am today.
This post was first published August 11, 2014.
Michael Besl graduated in 2012 with majors in International Business and Spanish. A Cincinnati native, he was acquainted with Muskingum because of a project he did in the 7th grade on John Glenn. Although he had primarily applied to larger schools, Besl decided he’d prefer a small liberal arts environment.
The year after graduating, Besl taught English to college students for eight months in Cuenca, Spain.
Besl sees how his liberal arts degree has helped him. “Having a liberal arts education allowed me to double major and work on my Spanish to provide me with the unique experience of studying and working abroad.”
Besl now works full-time for YMCA Camp Ernst in Northern Kentucky. He says, “In my position as program coordinator I juggle many tasks at one time and have a variety of skills that I honed through the organizations I was a part of at Muskingum.”
Besl advises current students to “have one strong internship under [your] belt before graduation day and [don’t] worry if you don’t find your dream job right away!”