Emerson Alumni Discuss Embracing Dynamic Career Paths in Creative Industries

Being a creative person opens many career paths—some that you may not even know exist. So how does an Emersonian with a creative mindset decide which path to follow?

This question lay at the heart of a Creativity@Emerson event held on April 7 at the Jackie Liebergott Black Box at the Paramount Theatre. 

The event featured short talks from alumni who’ve embraced dynamism in their careers, including: Greg Almeida, MA ’02, co-founder of the creative agency Collossus; Bridgit Brown ’94, MFA ’98, writer, communication strategist and cultural leader; and Nicholas Medvescek ’13, transdisciplinary creative producer. The alumni also participated in a panel moderated by Boston Globe higher education reporter Diti Kohli ’22, discussing pivoting between different industries, how creativity manifests in their everyday life, and the importance of mentorships and hustle when entering different creative industries.

Photos by Luis Gerardo Del Razo Tamayo, MA ’26

Advice on Embracing Non-Linear Career Paths

Medvescek shared his journey transitioning from a Theater Studies major to a creative producer who emphasizes bridging the gap between different disciplines to create unique experiences. 

“To embrace the dynamics of your own career, I would invite you to revisit moments where you might have thought you have made a mess out of a tidy career, and instead regard them as creative junctures that redefined your path,” said Medvescek.

A Writing, Literature and Publishing major at Emerson, Brown defined herself as a poet from an early age who expected to forge a career in poetry. She spoke about finding new meaning in poetry by using her storytelling skills in a career focused on civic engagement, speechwriting, and cultural leadership.

“Poetry is not just about form, it’s about creation,” said Brown. “Don’t focus on your job title; focus on the craft that you have acquired and honed, because your craft will travel with you.”

Almeida recounted his experience as a pre-med undergrad student who became an Integrated Marketing Communication graduate student at Emerson. Almeida said his love for comedy prompted him to hustle for a place in the creative industry of advertising, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hard work to find a professional career path where he can use his creativity.

“It’s important for all of you to know that in your path, there will be so much chaos,” said Almeida, “but you need to learn how to manage this chaos for the sake of that creativity.”