BROOKINGS – Art has always been at the top of the list for Jenna Hildahl. Disney ranks pretty high on that list, too.
As a child, her favorite movie was “The Lion King.” She said it is what got her into art.
“As I got older, I wanted to learn more and more about what I could do with drawing. It wasn’t just a hobby,” she said.
The Montevideo, Minn., native first attended Concordia College to pursue theater and art. There, graphic design piqued her interest.
“I wanted to try and find something in the art field that I knew I could make money doing,” Hildahl said.
Although she was unsure about what major to pursue, Hildahl got an unexpected break right before her junior year. She became sick with mononucleosis and needed to take off a semester. The following semester, she became an intern with the Disney College Program, running rides and other daily operations while working in the parks.
“That was where I started to figure out what I wanted to do and thought that graphic design would be really cool,” she said.
Hildahl decided to transfer to South Dakota State for its graphic design program. During her three years at State, Hildahl got to work with clients such as the South Dakota National History Day program and the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, where she designed logos and other applications for both entities. Now, she will walk in Saturday’s commencement ceremony having earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, a minor in art and a certificate in animation.
After graduation, Hildahl is set for another internship with Disney, this time in graphic design. She will assist with marketing materials, such as infographics and logos. The six-month internship is in Celebration, Fla., just a short drive from the parks.
“I am really excited because I know of a lot of people who haven’t been able to get jobs right away in their field after graduation,” she said. “I get to work for a company I have wanted to work for since I was little and get to find out if I want to work for a large company like that for the rest of my life.”
Although graduation day has been greatly anticipated, Hildahl is excited for her journey beyond campus.
“College went by really fast. I am really excited to be done,” she said. “I will miss the school, but I am ready to use the skills that SDSU gave me and put them to good use.”
Though there were bumps in the road for Hildahl’s studies, she said she wouldn’t change a thing. It was these times that taught her one of the greatest lessons.
“Don’t be afraid to step back and take a second look at what you want to do,” she said. “Take your time and think about what it is that you are interested in and enjoy, and what are the options in degrees that can help you be successful, because you will probably be doing it for most of your life. Also, take advantage of as many professional experiences as you possibly can, it will always benefit you some way in the end.”
