Dive Headfirst into Your Growth

By Abigail Nedved

Hi! My name is Abigail Nedved. I am a sophomore majoring in advertising through the Innovation Academy here at the University of Florida.

Within my first year at UF through IA, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad for my first semester in Maynooth, Ireland. Although some might have called this beginning to college unconventional (and I would have agreed), it was the best thing I could have chosen for myself in my first year. I took on independence in another country and a real college course head on, which was no cake walk. Being away from loved ones for eight weeks and learning how another country operates is no easy task. And, prior to my trip to Ireland, I had no idea the skills I would be learning in my first IA course. What is sustainable prototyping, design thinking, or 3D modeling? I had no clue. However, learning these skills stretched me and gave me some of my greatest assets now. 

I devoted myself to learning the topics and the technology, which created new, exciting skills for me. I would sit on hour-long train rides on my computer working and then I would explore the cities of Ireland with my classmates. This first skill of learning a work-life balance is something that continues to benefit me to this day. Next, taking the first class, which involves working within different groups, helped me to grow in effective communication in presenting and leadership. For example, I learned how to give an effective elevator pitch in under fifteen seconds. Learning this new confidence in public speaking, I went on to take a public speaking course in my second semester. At the end of that course, I delivered a persuasive speech that has now been nominated to be presented at the UF 2024 Speaker’s Forum. 

Additionally, the work ethic and determination that I put into the class landed me a position as a technical assistant in the spring semester, which was only my second semester in college and my first semester in-person at UF. As a TA, my interpersonal skills grew as well as my connections with professors. All of my professors in Ireland have continued to connect with me, have helped me grow, and assisted me with decisions about future opportunities. The opportunities that the Innovation Academy offers to students in terms of connecting with professors is undeniably beneficial and incredibly important. Past the connections I’ve made, the skills I have learned are in my toolbox now. For example, it’s been almost a year since I traveled to Ireland and now after learning 3D modeling, I am skilled at the topic and am now an Autodesk Fusion 360 Trainer. This means I can teach 3D modeling. 

Let me leave you with this story that brings my skills together: I just recently competed in the IA Catalyst competition, which is a required event to participate in during your second IA class. This competition alone forced me into a level of critical thinking and innovation that I had never reached before. My group and I dove headfirst into a chemically based innovation for a zero-waste initiative (which I priorly knew nothing about). I was given the position of being the leader of marketing during the project. I created the brand of our innovation, which I loved. Also, I created our 3D modeling and helped lead our team. We received the People’s Choice award at the end of the event, meaning our innovation had the greatest appeal to those who attended. Now, for example, I can discuss in interviews research I’ve conducted regarding reduction of zero-waste through a five-week design sprint. Additionally, learning more and more branding skills within the first and second IA course has led me to consider my own business of doing advertising and marketing strategies for small start-up businesses. An opportunity to have such an in-depth research innovation and end result of the benefits of the course to discuss in professional settings is a phenomenal asset and something the Innovation Academy does extremely well for students.