Just Accepted Jewelry Design Student is a U.S. Air Force Veteran
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Full Name: Jennifer Marie Mills
Age: 30
Hometown: Garden Grove
Major: Jewelry Design
FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Fall 2011
Admissions Advisor: Cathy Chambers
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background. I was in the United States Air Force and I served for four years. I have been to many different countries, including Germany, Kuwait, Portugal, Kosovo, Barharian, Italy, Oman, and many more.
I am the eldest six kids, love to travel, I love to make and design things, and I love to help people. I have a three year-old nephew, who I love. His name is Patrick Jr. and he is the light of my life.
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? My proudest accomplishment so far has been time served in the military. I have served in two wars, Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom (9/11). Also, the work that I do for families in my current occupation.
What made FIDM right for you? I love the beauty of the school. I love how creative all the majors are. I love that it is a specialized for these kinds of industries, it just makes me feel like the students and faculty really understand how I operate and think. I will also be able to know how my fellow classmates think, so that I can relate to them and establish long term bonds and relationships.
I just adore the creative environments, it really invigorates me to think outside of the box, to create more, and to look at things in new ways. Every time I am at FIDM Orange County I feel so inspired and motivated, it just feels like home. This is where I belong!
Describe your entrance project. I was asked to make or write a journal that indicated what inspired me. However, I was not permitted to use jewelry as apart of my inspiration. So I put together a book of pictures of fashion, architecture, gems, clothes, hair, models, Hollywood, film, my personal dreams and vision for the future as my inspiration, and then journaled about why they meant something to me and why they inspired me and why I felt they were connected to my ability to make jewelry.
I also then brought in some pieces of jewelry that I have made and designed to show the range of ability I have for this major. Mr. Mirabella was very impressed. That made me feel wonderful and very pleased.
What are your career goals? I would like to graduate from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising with my BS degree in Business Management and go on to open my own jewelry line for the masses. Currently I am an insurance agent and finishing up my classes to get licensed so I can help save people money with their insurance and can create long term financial plans for them. It's about educating families and allowing them to have the education and tools for them to make wise financial decisions.
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I have high expectations and I know that FIDM will challenge me in ways that I have never been challenged before. I know the educators and faculty will use all of their resources for class studies that are engaging and pertinent for my development. I expect to learn how to take my love of making jewelry and turn those skill sets into not just a passion and hobby, but a business and income stream. I expect to be given tools that will launch my career to the next level and open doors for me in this industry. I look forward to the journey.
Looks good!
Posted by: Pandora Beads | June 13, 2011 at 06:39 PM
Wow, very cool. I didn't even realize there were jewelry design students, lol. I just thought it was something people did on their own.
Posted by: Phoenix Air Conditioning | July 11, 2011 at 11:54 PM