From nonprofits to movie sets, December grad does it all


student holding blankets

Jared Doles, a senior film and media production major in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University, has mixed emotions about receiving his diploma this December.

On one hand, he knows that starting his professional career in the real world will be an adventure. On the other, leaving campus means leaving behind his friends, educational opportunities and mentors.

While at ASU, the Roswell, N.M. native divided his time between working as a Change Agent in Changemaker Central and leading the March of Dimes Collegiate Council, which he founded as a sophomore. Doles simultaneously served on the National Youth Council for March of Dimes, where he was able to grow his skills working for a nonprofit organization.

His work won him the “Changemaker of the Year” as a sophomore. The Alumni Association also awarded him both the Leadership Scholarship and the Dr. Wilkinson Scholarship. The awards recognize outstanding students who are making a difference at ASU, as well as in their community.

“The Leadership Scholarship allowed me to have the flexibility to do the things I wanted, both inside and outside of my degree path,” he said.

His degree has taken him to new heights, he adds, such as working as part of a new feature film – Car Dogs – that was written by ASU alumnus Mark Edward King and is being directed by ASU professor Adam Collis. The movie provides a unique opportunity for Doles and many other students in the Herberger film program to work with and learn from industry professionals, such as Craig “Cowboy” Aines and George Lopez.

“What do I love about movies? They’re magic," says Doles. "Movies can change people’s opinions, perspectives and how you look at the world. It’s one of the most influential mediums available in our culture.”

Eventually he would like to write and direct his own projects for the big screen. In the meantime, when he isn’t on the set of "Car Dogs," Doles is working on his senior capstone project. He chose to write an original musical that follows three first-time freshmen as they enter into a collegiate atmosphere.

“I surveyed 200 people to find out how they felt about their college experience. I took the good and bad, and based my characters off them,” he said.

As for his plans after graduation, Doles has not secured something full time, but says he has “a lot of feelers out there.”

He would like to get a writing agent to help him with his original works, which range from drama to horror to comedy. He also has a few pearls of wisdom for current students: “Take the wheel on your own education. Don’t take 'no' for an answer. If there is something you want to learn and haven’t yet, take the initiative to find the information.”