Hybrid master’s program attracts Trevor Adams from out of state
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The City of Philadelphia, recreated in over 1.5 million LEGO bricks. |
Trevor Adams has loved trains and LEGO since he was little. But he never expected those passions to fuel his life’s work. He is a master builder with LEGO in Philadelphia and volunteers with the New York Museum of Transportation.
He’s aiming to advance both interests by pursuing a graduate degree in strategic marketing at Nazareth.
How will this master’s degree help you?
A LEGO Master Builder is a designer and spokesperson, in a way. It’s both a creative position and a marketing and public relations position, where you make new models, lead field trips, organize and promote events, and teach the public. There are only about 40 of us in the world. It’s kind of that dream job that kids have when they’re little. I am hoping that this master’s degree will prepare me for opportunities in the states and abroad, where I can apply my education to roles within LEGO and their education and marketing departments. I would also like to pursue a career where I can promote education tools and lessons thanks to the knowledge gathered at Nazareth about marketing yourself, a product or service, or overall brand.
I also see opportunities to help the transportation museum better reach and engage with its audiences digitally. The website is from the late 1990s: original internet! Most of the volunteers are in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s. I want to take what I’m learning from the marketing classes and degree and help out the museum. I’d love to make the website and social media inviting for all generations — and user friendly.
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Winning the position of Master Builder by participating in “Brick Factor,” a LEGO building competition as part of the interview process! |
What’s been your path to working for LEGO?
I got a bachelor’s at another college in elementary education and special education — and both of those have been intertwined with my past and current experiences. After graduating in 2023, I was a building substitute teacher for a few months, but I didn’t feel ready for my own classroom. I wasn’t sure what to do next.
In the most unexpected turn of events, I saw a job open for a Master Model Builder position in Texas with Merlin Entertainments. I had worked at the Eastview Mall LEGO store for 3 years while in college. The experiences that my family and I had when visiting our local store made me realize what kind of place I wanted to work for and the experiences I wanted to provide for children and families. I completed multiple interviews in Texas and I was hired! I had less than 2 weeks to upend my whole life and move to Texas, but I knew this kind of opportunity happens once in a lifetime. In 2025, I relocated again to a similar role for LEGO in Philadelphia. My background in education supports my current position, where I teach LEGO and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workshops to kids and adults of all ages and abilities.
You’ve been able to pursue this degree while living in Texas and then Pennsylvania?
Even with all of the major moves and life changes in the past few years, the mix of virtual and in-person courses makes it possible. (The master’s degree classes meet in person once a month, on a weekend.) Work is flexible enough to allow me to travel once a month to Rochester. Although the commute can be taxing, I knew that this would prepare me for my next steps. I am so grateful for my family for supporting me in these decisions as well as the friends and connections I’ve made along the way, including those in marketing, for encouraging me to keep developing myself.
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| Teaching workshops in my Creative Workshop classroom. |
Why Nazareth, and what’s your grad school experience like?
I grew up in Rochester, New York, and heard about great opportunities through Nazareth. A few family members and friends have gone to Nazareth for their bachelor’s and master’s, or both.
This program in particular has responsive and well-rounded professors who bring in their personal backgrounds to help facilitate real-world connections to the curriculum. The structure of the program is flexible and can be done part time or full time as well as out of order, which is appreciated as I joined Nazareth for the spring 2025 semester. We often participate in group projects, which has helped build camaraderie. We’ve worked with real-life business clients as well as local non-profits. My capstone project was my favorite because I worked with my professor to choose the New York Museum of Transportation as our group’s non-profit client.
I’m using my new skills at work, such as tracking engagement statistics to promote events, looking at the best time to reach the audience and determining the best medium to deliver the message.
What’s your role with the transportation museum?
I first visited there with my family when I was 6 and just really loved the place, from the exhibits to the model trains and full-size trolleys. I quickly started volunteering once a month, with my mom, around age 7. With older volunteers, I helped operate the model trains on the 50-year-old layout and I worked at the ticket desk in admissions for years. Once I was a teenager, board members asked if I’d give tours to school groups or groups of kids or adults with special needs. I also have been involved with the trolley crew, providing rides on its one mile of track through the woods, the only running trolley in New York state.
I have now been encouraging the museum to look into new events as well as help drive their awareness through social media marketing.
Railroads and trains are an uncommon hobby for my generation; however, I have always enjoyed the ingenuity behind these machines and the relaxing and scenic experiences of traveling by train. The museum allows you to discover parts of our Rochester history that you may not know about, like the Rochester subway, the model railroad aspect, and the Midtown Mall monorail. I not only get to enjoy my hobby but help a local business in the community. It is truly a labor of love.
Any advice for people considering grad school?
It is OK to not know what your next chapter is. I encourage you to take the leap, surprise yourself and others with your next decision, and take risks. I can honestly say that most of the people in my life (including myself) would have never thought I would leave Rochester, but the experiences around the country and my global adventures have allowed me to gain an appreciation for meeting new people, picking up new skills and inspiring your next steps. I now look at each opportunity that is presented to me as a door to be stepped through. Which door will you choose?
It was because of my experience in Texas and the people I met that inspired me to switch gears from education to marketing, and grad school seemed like a natural next step. I was able to realize a new field that I was interested in and this program has helped me make connections with my current roles and the opportunities that I am interested in for the future. The challenges of traveling across the country for school, while working full time were difficult; however, I knew that committing to this opportunity would set me up for my next adventure and I can't wait to see where else it takes me.
Trevor Adams, who went to Honeoye Falls-Lima High School, expects to complete his master's degree in December 2026.
