Creative Advertising Major Uses Passion for Dance to Work Toward Her Career Aspirations
By: Becca Gawenda
Michigan State University offers hundreds of clubs and extracurricular activities giving students opportunities to get involved in many ways. For Bella Tirado, a junior creative advertising major, she uses the wide opportunity of extracurriculars to her advantage.
Tirado has had a strong connection to her familial culture and language since she was a young girl. Although she was born in Florida, both her parents were born and raised in Costa Rica and moved to the states for work opportunities and to begin a family. Although Tirado was raised with Costa Rican customs and traditions, she started dancing at the age of four which nobody in her family had ever done before.
“I love the Spanish culture,” said Tirado. “Growing up, my dad came to the U.S. with just a suitcase and built everything he has, and he’s ever given me with his bare hands. He took the biggest leap of faith completely on his own and I admire that.”
Going into college, Tirado says she was compelled to continue to pursue dance but opted for psychology before landing on creative advertising. Around the time her major came into focus, she decided to join NRG Dance to reignite her passion for dance. After doing so, she encountered a new opportunity that involved both her career aspirations and her passion for dance.
Tirado took Advertising 224 (Layout and Design) which jump-started her skills in graphic design. NRG needed a new social media marketing chair, and this course led to her having enough confidence to apply. She got the position and now gets to learn and grow in the social media field.
“I was not going to apply to it because I got really nervous at the idea people would compare me to the previous individual that ran the account. I took a big reflection, and I said that that this would be an opportunity I can’t miss,” said Tirado.
Tirado says one of the most challenging aspects of this position thus far has been time management. Some days, she says she has to make a graphic and have it ready by the end of the day to post. She says this has allowed her to learn how to work under pressure.
“I’m just very proud of myself. It’s also very fun to see my work being posted. I’ll sit there and I’m like, wait, I made that,” said Tirado.
Tirado encourages other students to explore and get involved in MSU’s many registered student organizations that allow them to express their passions and career aspirations.