Leigh Eskin Mascolino: Realizing a Dream
College grad and debut author Leigh Eskin Mascolino shares her insights on the value of college.
You’re reading an interview in Sketch Pad’s “College Artist Interview Series,” which you can read more about at the bottom of this post. Note that I use the term “artist” to refer to all those pursuing creative careers—writers, visual artists, musicians, performers, etc. For other interviews, click here.
This month’s interview features Leigh Eskin Mascolino, an author and the Director of Career Connection at Ohio Wesleyan University. She shares insights about her college experience and publishing her first novel.
Q: What kind of creative type do you identify as?
I identify as a writer and have always enjoyed creative writing and expression.
Q: Did you always think of yourself as a creative person? Were you a creative kid? And, if so, in what ways?
In some ways, yes; in some ways, no. I have always been creative with written work, ideas, and art forms such as creating videos and photo books. I am not creative artistically in the traditional sense, but have enjoyed these other outlets of creativity.
Q: Do you feel called to write even if you never made money at it?
I found that I did not enjoy trying to make money — in a full-time sense — with my artistic endeavors. I write and create videos/collages for my own personal joy. The fact that I was able to publish a book and make some money on it is truly fantastic, and something that I worked hard at on the side for many years.
Q: How and when did you first discover you wanted to be a writer?
I discovered that I loved writing at a young age, and at 7 I wanted to become a novelist. I wrote throughout middle and high school and worked on the first draft of this novel [The Djinn Entrapment] as part of my senior project.
Q: Is your writing something you do for a living, either part-time or full-time? Or would you like to pursue it as a career?
Right now it is very much on the side. Perhaps it could become more of a full-time career, but at this moment, I enjoy the other work I do so much, I do not see it going in that direction.
Q: Why did you decide to go to college?
I always planned on going to college and wanted to explore different career paths.
Q: Did your interest in writing influence your choice of major?
I majored in English originally to become a writer but soon discovered that I did not want to do this as a full-time job. I then shifted gears to Psychology and pursued Career Counseling. Now I am the Director of our Career Connection office at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Q: Did your college courses influence your writing?
I took a creative writing class and enjoyed it, but ultimately found that working with a professional editor really helped me hone my craft and actually finish my novel!
Q: Did your college experience help your writing career in any way?
I certainly developed my creativity and leadership further from the wealth of college courses and experiences.
Q: What are you most grateful for from your college experience?
I am most grateful for the relationships I made and the way I changed my perspective. I began college very in my shell and afraid to put myself out there. By the time I graduated, I felt like an entirely different person who took risks, was more vocal, and willing to push hard to reach my goals.
Q: Do you have any regrets about your college experience?
Not really! I got really involved and felt like I had a nice blend of academic rigor, extracurricular activities, jobs, and open time for relationships/connections.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience of being a writer, going to college, or making a career in the arts?
I think that even if you do not pursue your artistic endeavors as your full-time job, keep at it! It may be many years later — it took me 20 years to finally finish my book — but when you do it’s so rewarding.
Q: Do you have any advice for other artists bound for college?
College is an amazing experience. Get involved, make connections, take risks! This is the time to do that. Always keep at your craft and know it’s okay to take breaks and return when life gets full. All good things take time!
About Leigh
Leigh Eskin Mascolino works as the Director of Career Connection at Ohio Wesleyan University and lives in Columbus, OH with her husband and family. She is a first-time author and a mom of two little girls. The Djinn Entrapment began as an idea 20 years ago, and Leigh decided it was time in 2022 (before the birth of her second daughter) to finally finish and publish it. When Leigh is not working or writing, she loves being active, traveling, skiing, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Website // Instagram // TikTok
About the College & Grad Artist Interview Series
Hey, there! I’m Sarah Graves, a writer, author, English professor, and mom to a creative kid. I’m interviewing writers, artists, musicians, performers, and other creative types who are currently attending college or who have college and graduate degrees because going through college when you have nontraditional career goals comes with unique challenges. My hope is that seeing how others with creative interests have navigated college and grad school helps you in pursuing your own dream. There are many ways to approach art, college, and career. But however you go about it, the most important thing is to make your art. Because the world needs your art (and so do you)!
If you’re a creative type with advice to share about navigating college, I’d love to feature you in an upcoming interview. Just hit reply to this email!