As a student at Great Bay Community College, Raven Burwell created numerous academic opportunities when they decided to major in liberal arts. Instead of specializing in one subject, they
“With the liberal arts path, I was able to explore everything I wanted to explore, and I explored psychology, social work, and the arts,” they said.
And when it came time to focus on career choices, Burwell met with an advisor in the college’s Center for Academic Planning and Support (CAPS), a multi-service center that supports students with their academic needs. Burwell took a career interest assessment, and through discussions with the career coach confirmed their true passion was art, and specifically illustration.
The career coach suggested getting involved in the local art community, and through connections in the art community, the support of art professors at Great Bay, and the opportunities provided by a work-study job at the Heron’s Nest, Burwell now believes combining art and the desire to give back to the community will lead to a satisfying career.
“They helped me realize that what I want to do is something I actually can do,” said Burwell, who is on track to graduate in May with an associate degree and intends to enroll in a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree. At this time, Burwell is considering continuing their education at either the University of New Hampshire or Maine College of Art & Design in Portland with a focus on illustration.
“I have always loved art, and thanks to Great Bay my love for art is as strong as it has ever been. It has given me a real, true passion for art.”
Burwell’s career options are numerous. Professional opportunities include roles in publishing as a book illustrator, in the entertainment industry as a storyboard artist, animator, or conceptual artist, and in advertising and marketing to help a company or organization with visual storytelling. They could design graphics for products and packaging, work as a medical illustrator, a technical illustrator, a courtroom sketch artist, an art director, or in many other capacities.
“The career center at Great Bay helped me realize just how many options I actually have with my degree,” said Burwell, adding that Fine Arts and Digital Media Professor Thomas Devaney also has been supportive and encouraging.
“He is an amazing teacher, and he is good at helping people with their pieces and figuring out what is missing or what I need to do next,” they said. “When I told him I was worried about completing my portfolio, his response was, “We will work on it together and we will get it done.’”
In addition to professors and the Great Bay support staff, Burwell received inspiration from another source: Their mother.
“I actually learned about Great Bay from my mother,” Burwell said. “She graduated from the nursing program right before I enrolled, and she said it was the most supportive environment she had ever experienced. She said it was amazing, and she really loved her experience here.”
Both agree, their Great Bay experiences have been life changing. “This school is the only reason I can attend college at all. The affordability of a Great Bay education makes all the difference in the world. It allowed me to explore my interests and figure out what I want to do.”