Meet Tolomé Mazariegos
Multimedia / Advertising Double Major at Duquesne University
ABOUT ME:
Hi! I’m a junior studying multimedia and advertising at the Liberal Arts College at Duquesne. From creating epic movies with my siblings when I was growing up to editing photos for my family members, I’ve always loved creating in a digital space. I enjoy conducting research to better understand the people I am serving, and find satisfaction in positively affecting people through my work.
College has given me the chance to explore new facets of design such as video production and graphic design. I remain open to learning and developing both in current skillsets and in new ones. I am interested in website design, social media, graphic design, advertising, and marketing. As I move closer towards graduation, I hope to gain a clearer understanding of which specific aspects of media I want to work with long term.
Last year, I had an internship with Genesis Medical Associates at their Heyl Family Practice location in West View, PA. It was my first internship, and it was amazing! I was given the opportunity to create content for their social media pages as well as to monitor and respond to comments and reviews. I helped promote and run community service events and also accompanied my supervisor on trips to I also gained a deeper understanding of the medical field, which I have always been interested in since my dad is a doctor. The whole experience was challenging, but very rewarding. I look forward to doing something similar next summer.
WHY I’M TAKING THIS CLASS:
I’m taking this class in order to further my knowledge and skills regarding social media and it’s connection to digital marketing. It aligns perfectly with my major and with my career interests. Social media is a huge part of multimedia work, and I will need to have a sophisticated understanding of how it works and how best to use it before I graduate.
MY APPROACH TO PROJECTS:
I take a practical approach to getting my work done. I make a record of the work I have to do and when it is due, and then I make sure I have all the knowledge needed to approach the subject effectively before I jump in. After I have all the information I need, then I begin to look at what is being asked of me. I brainstorm by writing down any ideas that come to me on a Google doc, and then I turn that doc into the assignment file. Over time, a messy document becomes more coherent and eventually turns into the final product. This is how I approach most school projects, and I take a similar approach to any kind of project I am assigned.
What would I like to get out of class this semester?
I would like to learn more about how to leverage social media for marketing purposes.
I would like to learn more about how to use content planning and management tools.
I would like to learn more about tactics for increasing engagement and reach online.
“I suppose if we couldn’t laugh at the things that don’t make sense, we couldn’t react to a lot of life.”
This quote is from the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip by Bill Watterson. I like it because it illustrates the importance of humor in a world that is often overwhelming and confusing. We tend to go throughout our days in a matter-of-fact way, and when things happen to us that frustrate us we usually react with annoyance and let the absurdity of the situation get to us. While it is crucial to try to make sense of what matters in life, sometimes we must recognize that answers are not clear-cut and that the universe is stranger than we can understand. This can feel daunting, but it can also be a pathway to a greater sense of wonder and appreciation given the right attitude.
Something you should know about me, but didn’t ask:
I love to travel! The above picture shows me and my family riding some camels in Morocco. This was an awesome experience, and spending time doing new things with my family is something I cherish. Learning about other cultures and locations is always interesting to me, and I value activities that give me more appreciation for diversity and different perspectives.
One thing I learned last year that I want to bring into this year:
Something I learned in 2024 is that taking risks and doing things I am uncomfortable with really does pay off. Everything I try may not succeed, but it always brings me something in the way of experience and knowledge. I hope to carry this spirit into the new year as I look for exciting new opportunities for the summer and beyond.