A Curated College Experience

Kirsten Loynachan ’22

“Luther College gives you the freedom to explore your interests—however diverse they might be,” says Kirsten Loynachan ’22. “Luther will support you in curating the life you want both during and after college.”

‘Always Something New and Exciting’

As a student, Kirsten was indecisive about what to major in. She entered college as a music education major, and then switched to data science, then it was visual communication. With the help of her professors and the Career Center staff, she finally settled on a double major in music and accounting—an unlikely combination.

In addition to her fields of study, Kirsten played bassoon in a variety of ensembles, and was appointed treasurer and secretary of the Symphony Orchestra her senior year. She also worked as an audio and lighting technician for student recitals, was active in the Ballroom and Swing Club on campus, and was even able to spend a month in Vienna, Austria, as part of a study abroad program with the Symphony Orchestra.

“I was never bored,” Kirsten says. “There was always something new and exciting to dive into!”

Applying Her Liberal Arts Skill Set

With the help of the Career Center staff, Kirsten discovered the field of orchestra management during her senior year of college, which became the focal point of her job search. Kirsten soon landed a job with the Kansas City Symphony. As the assistant personnel manager, she had some incredible experiences, including an international tour to Amsterdam, Berlin, and Hamburg, coordinating several national-level auditions, and even getting the chance to meet cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Kirsten attributes her success at the symphony to her liberal arts education. “Being equipped with so many diverse college experiences really helped me to think on my feet and problem solve in this role, no matter what came my way.”

Prepared for the Workforce

After a couple of years in the classical music industry, Kirsten made the decision to change course and try out her accounting degree—while still keeping music as a hobby. She is currently a billing administrator for Littler Mendelson P.C., a global labor and employment law firm. “Having the satisfaction of working with numbers again has been rewarding for me,” says Kirsten. “The accounting department at Luther focuses on preparing students for the workforce. I really felt confident in my transition to a financial role, despite having been away from it for a while.”

“None of my professional experiences would have been possible without Luther College—the liberal arts really empower you to create a path that is best for you,” says Kirsten. “To me, Luther means options for my future. It means the ability to have a choice in my career. And it equipped me with the tools to be successful in whatever I set my mind to.”