>> I have received an associate's in graphic design degree
and a bachelor's in business management degree.
The associate's was at our community college in Elgin, Illinois.
And the bachelor's degree was from National Louis University.
When I first started to determine what I wanted to do with my life, I had always grown up,
you know, doodling and drawing and painting and a very creative aspect.
Concentrated on fine arts through high school.
But then, looking for my career path, I felt I probably wasn't that good
of a fine artist to make it as a fine artist.
And it can be a challenging career path.
My perception.
Maybe other people don't agree with that.
So I felt that I wanted to be creative and so I wanted to find a career that would take
that artistic love of mine and focus it in a way
that somebody would actually pay me to do something with it.
And I felt like, at that time, graphic design was the way to go.
So I went to our community college because of very restricted funds.
[laughs] And I got my associate's degree in graphic design.
I was fortunate enough to get into a company that's a junior department store,
that's no longer in business.
But it did not go defunct when I was there, just so you know.
[laughing] So I started out as a graphic artist and then, after a year,
they offered me the position of advertising manager
for the junior department store's, you know, company.
Which I thought, well, this is great!
Not only do I get to practice my creative aspects in art, I can get more money
for coordinating the activities and the advertising.
So that, you know, gave me my foot in the door for management.
After being there for five years or so, I started my career path at shopping centers
and I've been with shopping centers ever since.
And what I've discovered is, I can still do some of the creative, but of course,
there's a lot more managing skills that are required now.
Which are, you know, the budgeting and writing and communications.
So I then went back and got my bachelor's degree in business management and then have
since worked for regional shopping centers, outlet centers, lifestyle centers,
and worked as regionals-- you know, over multiple properties and then have come to GK
where I get to work with seven properties throughout the country.