Graduation Year(s): 2021
Major(s): Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Minor in Youth Ministry
Current Position/Job Title: Digital Strategist at Morgan Industrial Technology, Owner at Kash Kreative, Host of the Keeping Up With Ka$h Podcast
City and State: Springfield, MO
Tell us about your career and what you do now. I am currently working as a Digital Strategist at Morgan Industrial Technology. Morgan Industrial Technology is an orbital welding company in Ozark, Missouri. My role consists of managing the social media account, and helping customers with all of their equipment needs through various sales efforts.
I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the manufacturing industry. I think it is very interesting to learn about how things are made, and who the people are who make them. It is very exciting and fulfilling work, and I am thankful to be a part of this organization and leadership.
I also started my own podcast in 2022. I felt God putting it on my heart, and decided to just go for it. The premise of the podcast is to interview people with remarkable stories that I meet in day-to-day life. I kept being encouraged by the resiliency of people’s stories and felt like they would have a strong impact on others as well. For the podcast, I find the guests, interview them, record it, film it, and edit it all on my own. This past year I felt the Lord tell me to convert my podcast to a fully faith based podcast. We have launched podcast merch and Christian merch. I love the creative and design process, and I love playing a role in creating fashionable merch that promotes hope.
I also have my own freelance social media business called Kash Kreative. This is where people can contract me for social media projects and event interviewing. I love sports and interviewing people and I have been blessed to have been a part of events like the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.
Tell us one achievement or accomplishment that stands out in your career!
This past year I had two experiences that left me feeling extremely accomplished and grateful.
Earlier this year I was asked to co-present at a conference with my job. I was so honored and spent hours preparing. The presentation went perfectly and it was an experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had the opportunity to speak technically about equipment in a room full of industry experts. As a woman in a male dominated industry, I felt very blessed, honored, and empowered.
The second experience is when I hosted my Annual Podcast Party/Worship Night.
The event originally started as my 3 Year Podcast Anniversary Party/Live Show. As I began preparing for it, I felt the Lord tell me to dream bigger. He gave me a vision to have a worship team, and make the entire night about Him, and not about me.
I didn’t have any close worship contacts, and I was turned down by every artist I asked. But I knew God would provide.
One of my friends from my gym suggested her daughter, and she ended up organizing an entire worship team. It was so beautiful.
I was able to have the live show and discuss how God had changed my life the past two years. I discussed how he has given me a heart for combining ministry and the creative community, and how he has a heart for the people of Springfield. We then went into a night of worship. It felt like the Lord met us exactly where we were at. My friends and family and I went up to the front to allow people to come up for prayer, and I was blown away by the amount of people who did.
I am so grateful that God allowed me to be a vessel for this, and it was truly one of the most beautiful nights of my life.
What is your favorite memory from Evangel?
My favorite memory is going on a global connections trip to Cyprus with Dr. Smallwood and a few of my classmates. We all really bonded, and it was one of the most culturally eye-opening experiences of my life, and also the funniest.
More specifically, we were having dinner with our host family and my roommate/bestie received a text that she was supposed to babysit and she had forgotten to cancel. We were 15 hours away from the U.S. and we kept joking that she would be “On her way”. Our entire team was crying from laughing so hard. It is a core memory for me for sure.
How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?
At Evangel, I was exposed to the resources and relationships that pushed me to follow my calling. For me, that is pursuing whatever God wants me to pursue. At Evangel, I developed a passion for all things under the Communication field. That, and my love for people have led me to have opportunities to learn radio, broadcasting, youth ministry, and sales which eventually led to me starting my own podcast and small group. I made so many relationships and genuine connections at Evangel that I stay in contact with to this day. Evangel gave me the space to grow, learn, and experience so that when I finished college I was strong in my identity, faith, and passions. Having professors care about me during college and after college is the perfect example of how the university sees the big picture. They do not just want you to succeed, but they also want to help you develop as a person, and find the calling God has on your life.
How did your experience at Evangel prepare you for life after graduation?
The difficult conversations and debates I had in and outside of the classroom prepared me to be able to be confident in difficult conversations I have now in life. Evangel helped prepare my way of thinking, it helped guide the qualities I look for in relationships, and it helped me learn how to integrate faith into every aspect of my life.
Evangel allowed me to make so many high quality friendships. I have been out of college for four years now, and I still hang out with my Evangel friends on a weekly basis.
During my time at Evangel I had battled a few hard seasons. Evangel allowed me to have the opportunity to receive counseling, mentorship, and allowed me to not only begin the process of healing with God, but also understand situations from a psychological perspective by having wise counsel.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?
I would encourage current students to put themselves out there and try new things. Join clubs, do extracurriculars, go to events, make new friends, and involve yourself in community that is also outside of school. This not only diversifies your network, but also your talents and way of thinking. I also encourage students to just go for it. Shoot your shot when it comes to internships or jobs. The more experience and networking connections you have, the more opportunities open up.
I think it is also helpful to navigate the core talents and skills you have and the industries/jobs you would be interested in. If you get an opportunity that may have not been what you would have imagined for yourself, but it provides you with training, skills, and opportunities, it may be the best fit for you to grow your experience, skills and potential.
My advice is to not close yourself to certain industries or opportunities because it was not part of your plan. It may be exactly what you need to grow you and prepare you for your future. You may also fall in love with the industry as well.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?
When it comes to hiring a new graduate, I would look for someone who is ambitious and has a strong sense of who they are. Someone who is teachable, confident, honest, and eager to learn is the ideal moldable candidate. Someone who is a hard worker, and sets a standard of excellence for themself.