So, here I am
Hello Livejournal world. I seem to have completely forgotten about updating this thing, but ya know...not a whole lot of people use this thing anymore. Or at least it seems so. For those of you who do, let me try to do a quick update on what the hell is going on in the life of Ashley.
I've got myself a wonderful man, Thomas E. Levoska. Love him bunches. I just can't believe we're really together still. It's crazy how life works sometimes.
I've currently had a career/college melt down. I still am at a loss for what I want to do with my life, but here are some options. I would like anyone who reads this and knows me to respond with their opinion and advice on which seems like the best choice for me. And if you know of any occupations that might also be a good choice for me, feel free to inform me about them.
Graphic Artist (Print Materials)
Education: Degree in graphic design, art, fine art, illustration or related field. Bachelor's degree preferred in most cases.
Work Tasks:
put their artistic skill at the service of business clients
use computers instead of pencils to layout and test designs
design book jackets, covers for cassettes or compact discs, theater posters, etc.
Salary Range: $30,500 to $54,500
Size of Category: Large (150,000 to 699,999)
Size Will: Grow Moderately (1.0o 2.3rowth)
Setting: Inside, Not Office
Minimum Education: Some Ed Beyond HS
Travel: Rarely Traveling
Variety: Medium Variety
Working with People: Work Separately
Schedule Options: Part-Time Work, Temporary Work
Physical Demands: Seeing Objects/Details
Some GRAPHIC ARTISTS (PRINT MATERIALS) may like:
pleasant working conditions
the chance to work independently
creating a design using their artistic ability
Some GRAPHIC ARTISTS (PRINT MATERIALS) may dislike:
having designs rejected
working long hours to meet deadlines
meeting design specifications of their supervisors
being under pressure to please clients or to find new ones to maintain income
the constant challenge to keep up with rapidly changing technology
Economic Research Institute (survey of salaries in 2004):
National Michigan
Per year Per hour Per year Per hour
Starting salary $30,500 $14.75 $33,000 $15.75
Average salary $46,500 $22.25 $51,000 $24.50
Salary with experience $54,500 $26.25 $60,000 $28.75
National average for all occupations included in this survey: $44,000/year or $21.25/hour
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (survey of salaries in 2003):
National Michigan
Per year Per hour Per year Per hour
Average salary $50,000 $24.00 $48,500 $23.25
National average for all occupations included in this survey: $34,000/year or $16.25/hour
Other Information:
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, average salaries offered beginning GRAPHIC ARTISTS (PRINT MATERIALS) with a bachelor's degree were $32,000 per year ($15.50/hour) in 2004-05.
Estimated Outlook (from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics):
Number of Workers (surveyed in 2003)*
National Michigan
Number in this category 181,010 5,540
Average size of occupational categories 50,000 6,500
*Graphic Artist (Print Materials) is included in the category: Graphic Designers
Employment Outlook (economic projections made in 2002)*
Projected growth per year 2.0TD>
Average growth for all occupations 1.2TD>
Number of new jobs per year 3,600
P.S. Graphic Artist (Software) has pretty much the same requirements and stats. The difference basically is that they design and such for websites and software.
Occupational Therapist
Education: Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy required along with 6 months supervised fieldwork.
Work Tasks:
try to help people with disabilities become more able to do things on their own
plan special exercises for patients
may build or use special equipment for patients
Salary Range: $37,000 to $63,000
Size of Category: Large (150,000 to 699,999)
Size Will: Grow Rapidly (2.4% or higher growth)
Setting: Inside, Not Office
Minimum Education: 4-Year Degree
Travel: Occasional Travel
Variety: High Variety
Working with People: Public Contact
Schedule Options: 40-Hour Week
Physical Demands: Lifting
Some OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS may like:
the satisfaction from helping others to become self-sufficient
working with people
working as part of a healthcare team
Some OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS may dislike:
the slow progress of some patients
working under stress
possible back strain from lifting and moving patients and equipment
• Economic Research Institute (survey of salaries in 2004):
National Michigan
Per year Per hour Per year Per hour
Starting salary $37,000 $17.75 $40,500 $19.50
Average salary $52,500 $25.25 $57,500 $27.50
Salary with experience $63,000 $30.25 $69,000 $33.25
National average for all occupations included in this survey: $44,000/year or $21.25/hour
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (survey of salaries in 2003):
National Michigan
Per year Per hour Per year Per hour
Average salary $37,000 $17.75 $36,000 $17.50
National average for all occupations included in this survey: $34,000/year or $16.25/hour
• Number of Workers (surveyed in 2003)*
National Michigan
Number in this category 174,940 6,300
Average size of occupational categories 50,000 6,500
*Occupational Therapist is included in the category: Occupational Therapists, & Assistants & Aides
• Employment Outlook (economic projections made in 2002)*
Projected growth per year 3.6%
Average growth for all occupations 1.2%
Number of new jobs per year 6,300
Manual Arts Therapists instruct patients in prescribed manual arts activities, such as woodworking, photography, or graphic arts, to prevent anatomical and physiological deconditioning and to assist in maintaining, improving, or developing work skills.
Those are the two major ones I'm looking at right now. I need to do some more research, but I'm liking those. Let me know people.
Also, I've been working at a framing shop, Frames Unlimited, for the past month or so. I really really enjoy framing and it's a very cool job. The problems are...it's 40 miles round trip (it's in Clarkston), they only work me 22-25 hours a week, and I only make $7 an hour. Not worth it right? Well, today I have acquired a new, AWESOME job I am so stoked to begin! It's really nothing special. I'll be working as a receptionist/office clerical person at a fiberglass company. But the AWESOME part about it is: full time, 8-5 Monday thru Friday, 7 minutes from my house, and...it pays $10 an hour!! OH MAN! Damn, I am soo happy. Thank you Lord! This is too cool.
Oy, so yes. It's been a rough few months. But life seems to be getting on track and I'm definitely grateful for everything I have. I miss my friends that are gone to "real" colleges. You should all come home and freaking visit once in a while. Man!
Anywho, I'm out. Adios amigos. See ya in a few months.
I've got myself a wonderful man, Thomas E. Levoska. Love him bunches. I just can't believe we're really together still. It's crazy how life works sometimes.
I've currently had a career/college melt down. I still am at a loss for what I want to do with my life, but here are some options. I would like anyone who reads this and knows me to respond with their opinion and advice on which seems like the best choice for me. And if you know of any occupations that might also be a good choice for me, feel free to inform me about them.
Graphic Artist (Print Materials)
Education: Degree in graphic design, art, fine art, illustration or related field. Bachelor's degree preferred in most cases.
Work Tasks:
put their artistic skill at the service of business clients
use computers instead of pencils to layout and test designs
design book jackets, covers for cassettes or compact discs, theater posters, etc.
Salary Range: $30,500 to $54,500
Size of Category: Large (150,000 to 699,999)
Size Will: Grow Moderately (1.0o 2.3rowth)
Setting: Inside, Not Office
Minimum Education: Some Ed Beyond HS
Travel: Rarely Traveling
Variety: Medium Variety
Working with People: Work Separately
Schedule Options: Part-Time Work, Temporary Work
Physical Demands: Seeing Objects/Details
Some GRAPHIC ARTISTS (PRINT MATERIALS) may like:
pleasant working conditions
the chance to work independently
creating a design using their artistic ability
Some GRAPHIC ARTISTS (PRINT MATERIALS) may dislike:
having designs rejected
working long hours to meet deadlines
meeting design specifications of their supervisors
being under pressure to please clients or to find new ones to maintain income
the constant challenge to keep up with rapidly changing technology
Economic Research Institute (survey of salaries in 2004):
National Michigan
Per year Per hour Per year Per hour
Starting salary $30,500 $14.75 $33,000 $15.75
Average salary $46,500 $22.25 $51,000 $24.50
Salary with experience $54,500 $26.25 $60,000 $28.75
National average for all occupations included in this survey: $44,000/year or $21.25/hour
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (survey of salaries in 2003):
National Michigan
Per year Per hour Per year Per hour
Average salary $50,000 $24.00 $48,500 $23.25
National average for all occupations included in this survey: $34,000/year or $16.25/hour
Other Information:
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, average salaries offered beginning GRAPHIC ARTISTS (PRINT MATERIALS) with a bachelor's degree were $32,000 per year ($15.50/hour) in 2004-05.
Estimated Outlook (from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics):
Number of Workers (surveyed in 2003)*
National Michigan
Number in this category 181,010 5,540
Average size of occupational categories 50,000 6,500
*Graphic Artist (Print Materials) is included in the category: Graphic Designers
Employment Outlook (economic projections made in 2002)*
Projected growth per year 2.0TD>
Average growth for all occupations 1.2TD>
Number of new jobs per year 3,600
P.S. Graphic Artist (Software) has pretty much the same requirements and stats. The difference basically is that they design and such for websites and software.
Occupational Therapist
Education: Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy required along with 6 months supervised fieldwork.
Work Tasks:
try to help people with disabilities become more able to do things on their own
plan special exercises for patients
may build or use special equipment for patients
Salary Range: $37,000 to $63,000
Size of Category: Large (150,000 to 699,999)
Size Will: Grow Rapidly (2.4% or higher growth)
Setting: Inside, Not Office
Minimum Education: 4-Year Degree
Travel: Occasional Travel
Variety: High Variety
Working with People: Public Contact
Schedule Options: 40-Hour Week
Physical Demands: Lifting
Some OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS may like:
the satisfaction from helping others to become self-sufficient
working with people
working as part of a healthcare team
Some OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS may dislike:
the slow progress of some patients
working under stress
possible back strain from lifting and moving patients and equipment
• Economic Research Institute (survey of salaries in 2004):
National Michigan
Per year Per hour Per year Per hour
Starting salary $37,000 $17.75 $40,500 $19.50
Average salary $52,500 $25.25 $57,500 $27.50
Salary with experience $63,000 $30.25 $69,000 $33.25
National average for all occupations included in this survey: $44,000/year or $21.25/hour
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (survey of salaries in 2003):
National Michigan
Per year Per hour Per year Per hour
Average salary $37,000 $17.75 $36,000 $17.50
National average for all occupations included in this survey: $34,000/year or $16.25/hour
• Number of Workers (surveyed in 2003)*
National Michigan
Number in this category 174,940 6,300
Average size of occupational categories 50,000 6,500
*Occupational Therapist is included in the category: Occupational Therapists, & Assistants & Aides
• Employment Outlook (economic projections made in 2002)*
Projected growth per year 3.6%
Average growth for all occupations 1.2%
Number of new jobs per year 6,300
Manual Arts Therapists instruct patients in prescribed manual arts activities, such as woodworking, photography, or graphic arts, to prevent anatomical and physiological deconditioning and to assist in maintaining, improving, or developing work skills.
Those are the two major ones I'm looking at right now. I need to do some more research, but I'm liking those. Let me know people.
Also, I've been working at a framing shop, Frames Unlimited, for the past month or so. I really really enjoy framing and it's a very cool job. The problems are...it's 40 miles round trip (it's in Clarkston), they only work me 22-25 hours a week, and I only make $7 an hour. Not worth it right? Well, today I have acquired a new, AWESOME job I am so stoked to begin! It's really nothing special. I'll be working as a receptionist/office clerical person at a fiberglass company. But the AWESOME part about it is: full time, 8-5 Monday thru Friday, 7 minutes from my house, and...it pays $10 an hour!! OH MAN! Damn, I am soo happy. Thank you Lord! This is too cool.
Oy, so yes. It's been a rough few months. But life seems to be getting on track and I'm definitely grateful for everything I have. I miss my friends that are gone to "real" colleges. You should all come home and freaking visit once in a while. Man!
Anywho, I'm out. Adios amigos. See ya in a few months.