Alumni, Student Life

NCC Graphic Design Grad Lands Paid Internship

Mark Burgess, NCC Advertising and Graphic Design Graduate and Chariot Creative, Inc. Graphic Design Intern

Nash Community College Advertising and Graphic Design graduate, Mark Burgess of Rocky Mount, is launching his career with a paid internship at Chariot Creative, Inc. in Raleigh.

After graduating from Nash Central High School, Burgess enrolled at NCC. “My experience at Nash was amazing,” he said. “I met instructors who cared about my success and I made friends in the same field as me who work just as hard and even pushed me to be better.”

Burgess graduated from NCC in May 2019 with an Associate in Applied Science degree.

Burgess has a special interest in vector-based design but will be working on many types of creative design projects during his internship. His very first projects include collaborating on a brochure design for a Raleigh veterinary practice and an annual report for a national medical industry nonprofit.

“We are impressed by Mark’s eagerness to learn more about graphic design and the strategies that we use to plan digital marketing – including where design falls into that and all the considerations around it,” Chariot Creative president Jason Cooke said.

The firm offers digital marketing services, branding solutions, and web design to both local and international clients. Their services include responsive web design and development, on-page search engine optimization, Google-certified pay per click advertising, e-commerce, corporate branding, design, and more.

In addition to interning, Burgess is also working to build his own clothing brand. “We are impressed to see Mark’s entrepreneurial spirit with GodSpeed Merch,” Cooke said. “GodSpeed is a brand that I created to remind this generation that God’s timing is perfect,” Burgess said. “As an entrepreneur and artist, I am able to see my vision come to life and I get to be as creative as I want with it.”

Cooke said he sees great potential in the intern. “His eagerness, growth mindset, and just an easy, laid-back vibe make him an asset to our team.”

Burgess credits his mother as his biggest encourager. “Without her support, I would never have made it this far. The NCC Graphic Design instructors are all encouraging and welcoming, too. They are the best teachers I have ever had!”