KORI BARKLEY
Staff Writer
Graduation is a lot like finishing one book and immediately beginning another. The moment graduates finish celebrating their years of schooling, they must begin preparing themselves for the “real world” of work and relationships.
This can be arguably one of the greatest transitions in a person’s life, and to many, it’s one that is overwhelming and daunting. But to Fredonia graduate Annie Leue, life after graduation has been exciting and extremely fulfilling.
Leue left Fredonia even more invested in her interests than when she started. After she graduated in the Spring semester of 2013, she obtained degrees in both applied music for percussion and graphic design. It was only a month and a half before she started making a name for herself in the graphic design field.
After graduation, Leue settled in Buffalo, N.Y., where she is currently the graphic designer at City Dining Cards, a customer loyalty marketing company. Her responsibilities include designing cards, boxes and various print materials. She is also in charge of the company’s marketing and social media, as well as some sales. Alongside her duties at City Dining Cards, Leue does freelance graphic design work.
“It’s a lot of hats to wear at once,” Leue said. “But I love the job, and everyone I work with is great!”
Though gaining a position at City Dining Cards happened quickly, she admitted it didn’t come easy. Jobs today are scarce and rarely advertised but, fortunately for Leue, she acquired connections through her professors at Fredonia and developed a strong network during her time in college. She mentioned that the design program at Fredonia prepared her incredibly well for the real world and made her transition a lot smoother.
Two of her design professors, Megan Urban and Jason Dilworth, deeply inspired Leue during her time at Fredonia and continue to inspire her today.
“They helped me push beyond my comfort zone and into realms of creativity previously unknown,” Leue said. “They helped me discover new ways of thinking, as well as how to think. I would not be the designer or person I am today without them as my professors. I haven’t told them enough how important they’ve been in my personal and professional growth.”
Wanting another outlet for creativity (not to mention an outside source of income), Leue and her childhood friend Anita created an Etsy shop last summer, called “TheTwistedScissors”. In the shop, they sell a range of products from handmade jewelry and typography posters to hand-bound journals and their photography.
“It’s no pressure and a great way to get a start-up shop going!” Leue explained. They just have fun with it at this point, and that is an element everyone needs in life.
Late nights spent in practice rooms and computer labs sharing the stress with her classmates are some of Leue’s most cherished memories at Fredonia.
“Fredonia means friends to me,” she explained. “I met some of the most amazing people during my time at Fredonia. We were all there to support each other and keep each other going, as well as goof around and make each other laugh. I think this aspect has taught me how to interact with my colleagues from a position of support and friendship, rather than competition.”
Leue’s advice to forthcoming graduates is simply to “fake it until you make it.” She explained that that bit of advice has helped her avoid a great deal of self-doubt and anxiety throughout her college career.
“Just go with it and see where life takes you!” she said. “You’ll be surprised at the results.”