How to Make Your Career Dreams Come True
by Jessica Santina
Career School Directory Columnist
December 03, 2007
Jessie Gardner of Reno, Nevada, always liked to draw, and knew she wanted to make a career out of it. Along with her regular high school classes, she enrolled in vocational courses in drafting and computer animation.
Gardner's teachers encouraged her to pursue graphic design, so she arranged an internship with a local advertising agency to learn more about it.
CSD: What was your internship like?
I spent a lot of time cleaning out storage closets and running errands! I only made minimum wage, but I learned a ton, and then went into a graphic design degree program.
CSD: What did you learn in the program?
My focus was on typography and publication design. I was the art director for the school newspaper, and I learned that I loved publication design--laying out text, figuring out what kinds of fonts best illustrate stories or concepts, and organizing information effectively.
CSD: So what did you do after graduation?
I started working in the advertising department at a local casino. I was designing bingo cards! I did some cool things, too, like menus and signs, but I definitely wasn't putting my talents to use, so I started freelancing. I'd work from 8 to 5 and then go home and work until 2 a.m. for my own clients--friends of my parents, mostly. Once I got busy doing that, I quit my regular job and have been self-employed ever since!
CSD: Describe your typical day.
I have about five clients, some bigger than others. One day I might be placing an order for 100,000 matchbooks, and another day I'm designing a billboard. However, about 70 percent of my clients right now need help with Web design. Some days the phone doesn't ring, and some days it's ringing off the hook with new clients who were just referred to me and need something right away. Every day is different.
CSD: Any advice for someone considering graphic design?
If you want to work for yourself, you might consider taking a business or marketing class. It's been a huge learning experience to figure out how to market myself, get a business license, and all of that. But I say go for it. There's plenty of work out there!
Source
Learn more about Graphic Design Degrees and Programs.
About the Author
Jessica Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and marketing. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.
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