Class of 2026: Matt Finn’s creative journey at Virginia Tech

My name is Matt Finn. I am a senior graduating from Creative Technologies, and I've been working at ARIES for the past three years. My parents both went here, so it's kind of been instilled in me that this place is awesome. But touring here, I really liked the hospitality that everyone had. I love the architecture, everything. When I walked around, I just felt happy. So I learned about the Creative Technologies program and I was really interested in what they have. And then researching a little bit more, I found out about the ARIES program. I found out that I could do what I was interested in as a job, and gain relevant experience while I was still in university. At Virginia Tech, I've gotten a very large breadth of experience for what I've been able to work with. Going into the job market, I'm seeing that all of these jobs, all of these things that I can get paid to do, really want professional experience. So being in ARIES has given me this entry-level experience that I need to get into the door for a lot of jobs. It's also taught me everything about working with a team, working on a deadline, presenting projects to my higher ups. The advice I would give to someone is keep your mind open, because there is going to be so much more than you think there is. You're just going to learn so much about what there is out there, what you're interested in, and you don't want to focus too much on one thing and miss everything else that's happening around you.

academics 1:26 Class of 2026: Matt Finn’s creative journey at Virginia Tech

By:

Chase Parker

30 Apr 2026 121

Creative Technologies senior Matt Finn shares how his time at Virginia Tech helped him gain real-world experience, build professional skills, and prepare for a career doing what he loves.