Despite her father’s desire for her to pursue law or medicine, graphic design senior Sydney Nakashima chose to study art. Nakashima is drawn to the creative freedom and personal expression art allows. “I think it’s important in design and art to love what you do and not care about the money,” Nakashima said. The Baton Rouge native became interested in art at a young age, with an initial interest in animation. Her use of computer animation programs sparked her interest in her present concentration: graphic design. She has worked in the Graphic Design Student Office for two and a half years. The GDSO is a student-run design studio offering professional design service to local organizations. The projects assigned to Nakashima through the GDSO have given her an opportunity to add to her portfolio, which she said is important to employers. She said GPA is important, but most emphasis is placed on the work an individual can produce and his or her willingness to learn. “Sydney [Nakashima] is the poster child for the value of service-learning and communication across the curriculum,” said GDSO faculty adviser Rod Parker. Parker said Nakashima has excelled at being a voice of authority among men. Nakashima has had to embrace patience while trying to demand respect in a predominantly male field. “She has done magnificently in the face of such issues – neither turning in on herself nor becoming shrill and getting into unwinnable confrontations,” Parker said. Nakashima said Parker is her mentor. She said he taught her the business side of the field, specifically networking. “It really is a service industry,” Nakashima said. “You’re constantly dealing with clients and constantly having to sell yourself.” Psychology courses have improved Nakashima’s understanding of interpersonal skills, which she feels is one of the top qualities sought by employers. “You can know everything under the sun about computers and being an amazing designer, but if you can’t talk to people in such a way that they receive you well, then you’re not going to get anywhere,” she said. Nakashima is working toward a film minor and said her film theory classes have helped her “think more photographically.” She is drawn to the film community of New Orleans and hopes to find work there after graduation in May. Nakashima recently began attending career fairs and interview days for her job search. “Actively seek more and more experience,” Nakashima said. “Find internships, find work, immerse yourself in it – and you’ll get there.”