Some students enter college with interests that don’t fit into traditional majors or minors. With Berry’s individually designed major, Rette Solomon ’24 created a unique academic experience where she could pursue her dreams without sacrificing a single passion.
“As a lifelong photographer and equestrian, I have had the longtime goal of working in the equestrian world as a visual storyteller,” Rette says. “I knew it would best suit my career goals to take courses from several majors offered at Berry, so through the help of my professors and advisors, I designed my own academic path.”
Devising her own major came with a few challenges, such as fitting in all the classes from her major’s core disciplines: marketing, communication, entrepreneurship and art.
“I am incredibly grateful to all of my advisors who helped me overcome the challenges of designing my major,” Rette says. “Every single one of them was (and still is!) in my corner, and no one ever advised me to pursue one of Berry’s more conventional majors or told me ‘no.’”
Her efforts paid off. Rette excelled in her classwork and LifeWorks positions as the equestrian team manager and student photographer for the marketing and communications department. Earning the trust of her supervisors, she shot the cover of the alumni magazine in 2022.
But success didn’t end on Berry’s campus. In the summer of 2023, Rette took an internship with the marketing department at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort in Mill Spring, North Carolina, a popular destination for equestrians. In her role, she had the space to show off the skills she’d gained at Berry.
“My internship supervisors allowed me to get involved with everything imaginable, including photography, videography, content creation, writing press releases and interviewing Tryon’s top competitors,” Rette says. “Being part of Team Tryon for the summer was a life-changing experience for me, and it truly cemented my goal to work in marketing and communications of the equestrian world.”
She continues to intern remotely for Tryon International during her final year of school. With graduation in sight, Rette shares this thought for anyone who wants to develop their own major: “I would advise that students start planning for their individually designed major as soon as they can! The Berry faculty and staff are there to help you as soon as you are ready to embark on this journey.”
Inspired by Rette’s story? Explore Berry’s individually designed major.
Story by public relations assistant Elizabeth Chandler
