Local work experience launches career of Natalie Baker, ‘SVHS ‘16

Barely 18, Natalie Baker, Sonoma Valley High School ’16, not only has a good sense of her intended career, but she has also developed an impressive resume before even starting her college classes in fine arts and graphic design.

Baker parlayed her senior project for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley into an unpaid internship with local graphic designer Lisa Carlsson. She proved herself so valuable that within a few months, she was added to Carlsson’s payroll. That local work experience enabled her to quickly land a similar job in her freshman fall at University of Connecticut.

“I have no doubt she’ll graduate from college with several job offers,” said Carlsson, who is both Baker’s employer and her career mentor.

“I feel so lucky to be able to take my love of graphic design and transform that into a career,” said Baker, during the few weeks she was home in Sonoma over winter break. “Working for Lisa’s company senior year got the ball rolling and made me feel really confident in tackling my job at U. Conn.”

Baker has been hired to produce graphic design and marketing materials for the University of Connecticut’s Benton Art Museum. She designs the museum’s banners, flyers, posters and artist tags and she hopes to work there until she graduates.

It all started with her senior project.

“For some people, the senior project is just something to check off their list,” said Baker. “It’s really what you make of it.”

Baker’s first internship, between her junior and senior year, was working for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, helping with its social media.

Her senior project last year was producing all of the marketing materials for the Club’s Youth of the Year event. In that role, she met Carlsson, who offered her an internship with her company.

Baker worked six to eight hours a week for Carlsson during her senior year and full time last summer. She works when she can to make extra money during school vacations. She has handled work for clients that have included Sonoma Market, Sox de Vine and the Boys & Girls Clubs.

“Hiring Natalie was a win-win,” said Carlsson. “Despite her age, she truly added value to my company and she headed to college with specific marketable skills.”