Name: Emily McCaleb
Hometown: Coon Rapids, MN
Graduation Year: 2016
Major: Advertising
Meet the ingenious beauty behind the new Instagram account Curly Q Crafts and discover her niche for everything timely and creative!
Her Campus (HC): Why did you choose WSU?
Emily McCaleb (EM): Well, for the longest time I was so dedicated to going to University of Minnesota Duluth just like my sister. I had UMD apparel and paraphernalia and was 100% certain I would be going there. It was almost like the Rory Gilmore āHarvard vs. Yaleā situation in Gilmore Girls because I was so set on UMD but when I toured Winona I was suddenly met with a conflict because I never expected to like another college as much as UMD. I definitely pulled a Rory Gilmore and went with WSU versus the college I wanted to go to for the longest time but I have really enjoyed my time here; itās lovely and Iāve met great people.
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HC: You are graduatingā¦ in a few weeks! How does it feel?
EM: It still hasnāt hit me that itās happening. Both my siblings who have graduated college say that it wonāt really hit me until next Fall when itās all āBack to Schoolā stuff and I wonāt participate. Overall, Iām excited. I think Iāve done all I could do here and I am ready to move on to whatever is next.
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HC: What advice do you have for incoming freshmen that choose to start their paths at WSU?
EM: Donāt be discouraged if you donāt know what you want to do. I came in as an Education major and I was so unhappy and did not do well in any of my classes, so much so that I was constantly thinking of dropping out. Sometimes it takes failure to push you toward what you are meant to do. It took me until my junior year to find Mass Communications and Iāve never been happier with a decision; so be patient, and explore your options before you jump into a major that you arenāt 100% sure about.
HC: Any post-graduation plans?
EM: I am currently on the job hunt (says every soon-to-be grad ever) but havenāt found many opportunities that Iām really passionate about. While job hunting is definitely a priority, my biggest plan after graduation is simply to spend time with my family and friends after being away at college for 4 1/2 years! It will be a nice change to be home! As far as adventures, I am hoping to visit one of my friends who currently lives in New York, and I will also be traveling to Chicago to see Hamilton the musical for the second time!
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HC: What is your greatest accomplishment?
EM: Iād have to say my greatest accomplishment is my college career, academically and socially. I wasnāt the best student in high school and I definitely struggled my first year here at WSU but as I stated earlier, once I jumped around a bit and took some risks I really found where I fit in academically and really surprised myself with how much I could enjoy school and do well in my classes. I am also very proud of who I have grown into as a person whilst being at WSU. I came in as a very shy and unconfident person but through meeting new people, exploring new fields, and taking on leadership roles I really feel that I have flourished into a more confident person and Iām glad to have experienced that all here.
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HC: Tell us more about your new Instagram page for your artā¦
EM: Iāve always been a very crafty person; itās just something that I do to relax. Before the semester started I bought myself a watercolor palette because Iād never really dabbled in that area before and started working on hand-lettering quotes and incorporating water color into that and I was very surprised at the reaction I received after posting a few of the pieces that I had done. My desk is practically flooded with different pieces I am working on for people who requested them, and I am also working with my uncle to start selling them in a gift shop at an art gallery he is connected with!
EM: I donāt know if Iāve necessarily left my mark on WSU, but I hope along the way I have left my mark on people Iāve been in contact with, especially being an RA for two years. I think that WSU has left its mark on me though; Iāve changed so much as a person over the last 4 1/2 years I donāt even think Iād recognize my freshman self. Itās been a journey with plenty of ups and downs but I have made some of the best friends here and have been given so many opportunities through WSU and itās really been a great experience that I know I will miss.