Ashley Moehlenpah embraces ‘Learn to Learn’ post grad

Written by Kaitlynne Rainne, Images courtesy of Ashley Moehlenpah

Ashley Moehlenpah began her SCAD journey in 2017 and ended it in one the most tumultuous of times – May 2020, just three months after the university-wide decision to conduct classes virtually for spring quarter.

“I remember a lot of us were crying and overwhelmed. We had worked so hard and were yearning to be able to finally walk across that stage. To hear professors saying that they didn’t know what was happening next week was scary,” Moehlenpah said. 

However, even in the midst of that uncertainty, Moehlenpah recounts it with gratitude. Moehlenpah had been on the equestrian team as well during her time at SCAD, as a result, many of her weekends were filled with early mornings, all day events and more than one overbooked schedule. She said, she was allowed the chance to slow down her last quarter and embrace the journey she had been on for the last four years. It was a learning experience that has now influenced her in her post graduate life. 

“I graduated with a degree in advertising and branding and thought that I had to end up at big firms. No one was telling us about the smaller opportunities.” Moehlenpah recounted her expectations of what her life should be with a slight chuckle. She said she is nowhere near where she thought she had to be, but admits that she is where she needs to be and is happy.  

She works in Milwaukee as a Graphic Designer and Marketer for Batch, a job which she got through LinkedIn. Moehlenpah said that it was during the pandemic she let herself relearn the difference between the expectations of her degree title and what she wanted. Truth be told, up until then, she said she wasn’t entirely sure of her path. 

“I think we all get to a crossroad; none of us know for sure what we want to commit to doing for the rest of our lives. If we want the big firm job, to work in the industry of our degree. Or to completely switch gears after we graduate,” Moehlenpah said. 

To the student body reading this, Moehlenpah wants them to know that that is OK because regardless of where they end up, they will walk away from SCAD with skills and a network of creative individuals that they cannot get anywhere else. 

When asked what advice she would give to the upcoming class of 2021, Moehlenpah smiled at the opportunity to pass along advice to fellow Bees. 

“Don’t limit yourself to thinking you need to work at big agency.” Moehlenpah admitted that she has learned a great deal from the small business she is with, more so than she probably would be from a big advertising firm. 

Moehlenpah stressed the need to keep an open mind and to put yourself out there. To be cautious of the possibility of scams but to be confident in the companies and businesses you have found and vetted upon applying. 

“SCAD is project-based all across the board,” Moehlenpah said, and that structure will help any SCAD graduate moving forward. “Everyone says it, but the project-based schedules and deadlines will present you with strong time management skills needed when you start working.” 

Most importantly, Moehlenpah shared what she believes has helped her since the pandemic hit: “You need to be comfortable with not knowing and learning as you go along. You are a graduate at the end of the day. Not someone with ten years of experience. We think we need to know everything, but we don’t and that’s OK.” 

Moehlenpah believes that there is one thing that will retain humility and eagerness and an open mind to any SCAD graduate, “Learn to learn.”