Yvonne Hill arrived at Shoreline College feeling defeated but determined. By the spring of 2010, economic downturns and shifts in job expectations due to changing technology had eroded her once-promising career.
“I felt like I was at the top of my game,” Yvonne shared. “I was an Art Director for Corporate Branding for a multi-million-dollar company. When the market shifted, I was the last creative to leave the organization. By then the market was saturated with creatives, and when I got out there without a four-year degree, even though I had a great resume, that lack of an advanced degree knocked me out of the game.”
She was struggling to compete in a tough post-recession job market that now expected graphic designers to program websites, create content, and more. She enrolled at Shoreline with a simple goal: prep for a transfer or learn enough programming to be able to do all of the creative aspects herself. By the time she finished, she had also learned the importance of connections, self-empowerment, and entrepreneurship.
While working with Film Faculty Tony Doupé, Yvonne discovered she enjoyed producing film projects for outside clients. When she asked how to formalize the process, Doupé encouraged her to do something bigger: start her own business. Today, she runs WoneMedia, a company built on telling stories and building connections.
“Tony Doupé inspired me to create this business, and joining DECA inspired me to think even bigger,” Yvonne said. “DECA taught me about entrepreneurship—all the ups and downs. If I hadn’t been given that knowledge, I probably would have quit a long time ago. But I know it’s part of the process. Sometimes you have to pivot, sometimes funding is scarce; but I’ve never stopped creating. Shoreline gave me the clarity, confidence, and drive to keep going.”
Now serving as the Vice President of the Shoreline College Foundation Board of Directors, and actively engaged in the community, Yvonne is passionate about empowering students. She identifies several mentors who had a profound impact on her, including Shoreline faculty members Dennis Peters, George Watt, Ailsa Kellam, Steven McCloskey, and Dr. Ernest Johnson.
“I tried to get out of Dr. J’s Multicultural Issues class because I thought I already knew all I needed about it,” she recalled. “He pulled me aside and said, ‘Sister, you need to be here. This is for you!’ He was right. His class gave me language to articulate the things I’d been experiencing my whole life but didn’t have words to describe. Being able to speak about these things is life changing.”
After studying with Dr. J, Yvonne felt a new sense of empowerment. She was able to recognize and call out unacceptable and racist behaviors she encountered, advocating for herself and others in more significant and effective ways, including sparking some necessary changes at Shoreline College.
“Thanks to that advocacy, some of those challenges were not only called out but also fixed. It’s all part of the learning experience, good and bad; each experience is valuable, and you can grow from there,” she said.
Her advice for current students: get involved.
“College isn’t just for reading, writing, and arithmetic; it’s about the connections you make. These connections follow you throughout your career. Activities like art, sports, or other on campus events enrich your life and help prepare you for a future that crosses industries, companies, and even countries. These connections can give you a crucial edge and open doors, but only if you nurture them. And if you’re ready to explore your potential as a creative or are interested in interning in the media field, reach out to me at WoneMedia.com. I would love to help you get started!”
Yvonne will be at Shoreline College’s Career Fair on May 19th, representing WoneMedia. Stop by and say hello. You never know what big things might happen through making a new connection. For more information about the Shoreline College Career Fair contact CareerCenter@Shoreline.edu.