My name is Hallie Muhlbauer, and I’m a senior at Northwest High School. I play on the NW soccer team, and during the off-season, I stay active by attending open gyms a few times a week. Outside of sports, I work in the style department at Target, and during the summer, I’m a full-time nanny for two boys. When I’m not working or playing soccer, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family.

I’m a student associate in the Designing Communication Solutions (DCS) course, where I’m currently working on several exciting projects. These include managing social media for Friends of Des Moines Parks and Rec, as well as designing flyers and social media posts for Family Fun Night organized by the Waukee Elementary PTO.

I signed up for the DCS course because I’ve always been interested in marketing and design. I wanted to see if this could be a potential career path for me in college. I’ve always loved being creative, so this course seemed like the perfect fit for me.

I’ve developed valuable skills in the DCS APEX course, including communication, organization, and graphic design. I’ve also gained hands-on experience using Canva, which has been helpful for my design work. Through the DCS APEX program, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Waukee Career Services, where I’ve applied my design skills and deepened my interest in marketing, too.

Throughout the course, we’ve had the chance to visit several marketing firms, including Invictus Media, Two Rivers Marketing, 818-A Tiny Design Empire, and Anthologic. These visits have given me a firsthand look at what a career in marketing could be like, and I’ve enjoyed seeing all the possibilities.

What I love most about the DCS course is how well it’s prepared me for my professional future. It’s helped me feel more confident in my communication skills, creating client relationships, and refining my marketing and graphic design abilities. The experience solidified my decision to attend Iowa in the fall and major in Marketing

What I least expected from the class was how much I would enjoy it and how secure it would make me feel about my future career plans. I didn’t expect to feel so sure about what I wanted to do.

I’d encourage others to get involved with APEX because it’s such a great way to explore different career paths and get prepared for life after high school.