I’ve always wanted to start a blog, but like many of us, I kept finding excuses: work, homework, social life, etc. However, I’m currently taking a class on Social Media for my MA in Communication with a concentration in Integrated Marketing Communication, and one of the assignments requires me to write a blog—this exact blog you are reading right now. So, I am done with the excuses and ready to share with you, future clients, colleagues, family, friends, and whoever is behind the screen the different life lessons I have learned, often the hard way, as I strive to become a fully independent young adult thriving in a new country.

My name is Valeria, but I am better known as ValeWalle. Why? It’s a combination of my first and last name; it rhymes, and it has become a part of who I am today, both personally and professionally, as a Graphic Designer. The journey you’ll find here starts when I was a senior in high school and took an elective class on Graphic Design. Until then, I never knew I had creative skills; I was more into math and business. However, I was taught how to use Photoshop, and when assigned to design a cereal box, I was immediately mesmerized by this profession. As college application time approached, I had to decide what to study and dedicate myself to for the rest of my life. Since I enjoyed using Photoshop, I enrolled in Graphic Design and chose the university that appealed to me most regarding the program. Believe it or not, my parents were shocked I chose a creative path, as I had never shown any creative tendencies before. However, they trusted and believed in me, and I will be forever grateful.

Starting my BA, I realized I did no know what I had enrolled in. However, I liked it, and I liked the challenge. Soon, I was doing internships at different marketing agencies, learning from my professional mistakes, and traveling to Madrid, Spain, to do a semester abroad and expand my horizons. Before I knew it, I graduated and looked for a full-time job. As I transitioned into adulthood, hopping from one agency to the next and shifting between full-time and freelance work, I learned many things. These experiences might not have always been enjoyable, but today, I am grateful and proud of everything I have lived through and what the future holds.

I invite you to continue reading my blog, comment, or reach out to me. Let’s make this journey a collaborative and inspiring experience for us all!