GaBrielle Boyd

Production Assistant

Due to being extremely busy and focused on getting everything done, the countdown to graduation didn’t actually begin for me until three weeks before the final day, and wow! I can’t believe it’s almost here.

Four years ago, I transferred to Idaho State University from the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Idaho.

I chose to go to C of I right after high school because I thought I wanted to be an art teacher. I quickly discovered teaching was not for me.

Now, coming from my hometown of Jerome, Idaho, one would think that Idaho State University should have probably been one of my first choices right after high school, but it wasn’t.

Luckily life events and the help of my momma led me to the doors of the Graphic Arts/Printing Technology (GART) program in the College of Technology at ISU. Thus began my four-year journey to getting my Bachelors of Applied Science (BAS) degree, and what a journey it has been.

I’ve been a part of so much and have had many wonderful experiences.

I went to the GART program for two years to get my Associate’s and then continued my studies in the Communication, Media and Persuasion department in the College of Arts and Letters right as the Mass Communication and Communication departments were merging. 

I’ve been involved with many activities which include (take a deep breath because here comes a lot of big words): being the Vice President and then the President of the American Advertising Federation– ISU Chapter; Public Relations for the International Studies Travel Association; Account Executive for the 2015 National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC); Graphic Designer for the College of Science and Engineering and The League of Legends Club; and Ad Designer/Production Assistant for “The Bengal” student newspaper. Phew! And aside from all of those school related activities, I work part-time as the graphic designer for Pocatello Magazine in addition to doing freelance work.

I may have done a lot of things, especially in my last year here, but a really cool occurrence that happened with my transferring, was not related to education at all: I got to come to school with my brother, who is a year younger than me.

Though we still have occasional fights, this experience of attending ISU together has made us really close. I can actually call him my friend, not just my brother, and that is something that I don’t believe would have happened if we went to different colleges.

I was also blessed in meeting my best friend and boyfriend here at ISU. We literally met at New Student Orientation, so I can definitely say that, right from the start, attending ISU was one of the best choices I could have made.

I would like to say a quick thank you to my parents, professors, and certain members of ISU’s faculty: without their incredible understanding with the department merger in relation to the course for my BAS degree, I would still be wishing I would graduate already, instead of actually graduating this year!

Once I officially graduate, I will almost immediately celebrate my twenty-third birthday before becoming a manager for Pocatello Magazine and working on the transition phase of being involved with all these clubs, classes, and working part time at three jobs, to working full time at one job.

I can honestly say that I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and am still feeling very anxious for it to start.