Karina Teichert, an alum of Georgia Tech's Literature, Media, and Communications program, radiates openness driven by their dedication to authenticity and learning. Their deep understanding of what it means to pursue things that align with their personality and values means Karina is truly an empathetic spirit. Their love for music, art, and community advocacy are all an essential part of what motivates their goals. As such, they aim to pursue their foundations in art curation in the vibrant city of New York. Right now, Karina is a freelance art curator and Digital Content Manager at South Arts. Balancing these roles is made a little easier as Karina works remotely and surrounds themselves with the support of friends at GT. However, the path to this role wasn’t without challenges, and Karina’s reflections are bites of wisdom for students at any stage of their degree.
Reflecting on their journey post-graduation, Karina strongly advises students to consider taking a break if circumstances allow. Their own experience taught them the value of pausing and resetting before diving headfirst into the fast-paced work world. As a result, Karina cherishes their Georgia Tech memories, especially the engaging intellectual conversations within the classroom. The LMC program's emphasis on meaningful dialogues about crucial topics profoundly impacted their perspective and continues to influence them both personally and professionally.
Karina's advice for current students echoes their personal journey. Firstly, they emphasize the significance of building connections with professors. Dr. Nihad Farooq's mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping their trajectory, underlining the importance of fostering meaningful relationships within the academic sphere.
Secondly, they advocate for prioritizing happiness over resume-building. Karina ardently believes that pursuing one's interests inherently contributes to professional growth. By staying true to their love for art curation and LMC, they cultivated a resume that reflected their genuine interests and dedication. However, they also mention that this less traditional professional path can feel difficult to prepare for; Karina offers some encouragement to LMC students wanting to do something similar -- it is possible! The pathway might not be as straightforward as becoming a UX writer or social media strategist, but finding support within LMC’s staff, faculty, and student body can help pave the way immensely.
Additionally, Karina candidly highlights how short the college experience truly is, encouraging students to savor every moment. They underscore the reality of post-graduation depression, often overlooked in the frenzy of celebrations. While graduation marks an exciting milestone, the transition into a new phase of life can pose unexpected challenges, warranting a delicate balance between preparation for the future and emotional well-being.
For Karina, the pursuit of art curation isn't solely a profession; it's part of their dedication to preserving joy and mental health. Their journey, marked by authenticity to their nature and resilience when things are uncertain, serves as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of prioritizing passion, fostering connections, and nurturing personal well-being in the ever-evolving journey post-college.
Madison Steinau and Karina Teichert got to know each other first in Dr. Nihad Farooq's Senior Seminar on Graphic Novels. They caught up again recently, and Madison wrote this article based on their conversation.