Alyssa Thomsen | Valley City State College

Profiles

Nov 14, 2025

Name: Alyssa Thomsen
Hometown: Valley City, N.D.
Major/Minor: Business Administration 
Graduation Year: 2027

What are you concerned in on campus?
My involvement on campus consists of being a Cru chief and a scholar worker doing videography work with the VCSU advertising division.

How has your perspective in your profession modified since switching majors?
Originally coming to VCSU to main in elementary training,  I switched to a enterprise main to pursue my private images enterprise. My perspective has shifted to having a singular deal with my enterprise over splitting my time between educating and images. It has made my future and perspective clearer as to the place I’m alleged to be.

How did you get began in images?
I began my images journey as a sophomore in highschool whereas serving to create the yearbook. Starting in sports activities images, I expanded to way of life images and commenced my enterprise journey. After 4 years, my enterprise has grown and continues to take action into one thing I by no means thought attainable as a sophomore in highschool.

What has been your favourite occasion or second to seize on digital camera?
I’ve an equal ardour for each sports activities and way of life as they every have their very own personalities that make them particular to me. I like attending to seize the enjoyment athletes expertise on the court docket. A core reminiscence of mine is with the ability to seize the Valley City Hi-Liners woman’s state basketball championship win. In the life-style world, I’ve lately gotten into the marriage division and love being part of folks’s special occasion. Apart from weddings, seniors are my favourite to seize and be artistic with.

How do you intend to mix your corporation abilities along with your images ardour?
Getting a enterprise diploma, I hope to develop in data and ability in proudly owning my very own enterprise. Taking enterprise lessons will assist me learn to have a profitable enterprise to go together with my images abilities I have already got acquired through the years.

Have you confronted any challenges because the photographer “behind the camera,” and the way did you overcome them?
Creating a enterprise whereas nonetheless being in highschool, I generally wrestle with imposter syndrome having a profitable enterprise so younger. I’ve discovered to only consider in myself and my ardour and belief that I do know what I’m doing, and others will belief me too. Having others belief my abilities and skills, I should be assured and belief in myself as a lot as others do.

What recommendation would you give to college students seeking to pursue artistic careers alongside their tutorial research?
My recommendation for others is to only go for it and consider in your self. Entrepreneurship is tough and will be difficult however you need to belief in your skills to do what you’re keen on and do it nicely.