Hannah Garey
Visual Communications - Ad Design
Hannah Garey originally planned to attend an art school right after high school, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she had to adjust her plans. She soon learned about Delaware's Student Excellence Equals Degree (SEED) scholarship and realized it was the perfect opportunity to explore her passion for design at Delaware Tech—without the burden of college debt.
Garey has always been interested in art, which is what led her to her decision to pursue a degree in Visual Communications: Advertising Design.
"Ad design allowed me to explore the idea of letting my creativity flourish in a more traditional gallery work most people think of then they envision art as a career," she said.
Garey's first day with Delaware Tech was different than most. Her classes began during height of the COVID-19 lockdown, which meant all of her courses were virtual. It wasn't until later in her program that she was able to experience hands-on learning in the campus labs.
"One thing that stood out to me during that time was how present and engaged the instructors remained, even over Zoom," she said. "Despite the sudden shift from in-person to online learning, they made a strong effort to keep the classes interactive and supportive."
The capstone project at the end of Garey's journey was one of her most valuable experiences during her journey with Delaware Tech. For her capstone project, she was required to work with a small business in Delaware, treat them as a client, and develop a design project just as a freelance graphic design would.
"This experience greatly boosted my confidence and reassured me that the career I was pursuing was not only achievable but something I could realistically succeed in," she said.
A few years into her Delaware Tech journey, Garey was able to visit Disney World with her classmates.
"We had the opportunity to explore the different parks and observe how each environment was thoughtfully designed," she said. "It was fascinating to take a deeper look into what makes the parks feel so immersive and how they transport you to entirely different worlds."
Today, Garey works as a marketing specialist at Del-One Federal Credit Union, where she has the opportunity to help develop campaigns and create visual designs seen in our branches and throughout the community.
"My time at Delaware Tech prepared me for my career through valuable, relevant coursework and assignments, hands-on field experience in the Capstone course, service-learning projects, participation in the Presidential Student Leadership academy, and collaborative teamwork in the classes and the Phi Theta Kappa honor society," she said.
With all the lessons Garey learned throughout her journey, she has a few pieces of advice for current and future students at Delaware Tech.
"Take initiative to get involved and remember that the faculty and staff are always there to support you," she said. "Ask questions early and often. If something isn't clear or you're unsure how to move forward, reach out rather than waiting until the last minute or hoping it will work itself out. I also encourage you to get involved with a club or campus activity, even if it's just attending events."
For now, Garey is focused on her work and looking forward to her future in the marketing field.
"I am eager to branch out and develop new skills that will allow me to contribute more meaningfully to the team," she said.
