Graphic Design: The Final Frontier
I think it's about time for my yearly update - don't you? =)
I clearly did not have many goals the last time I posted, and with good reason. But things change, and after an entire year, I have a clear idea of where I would like to be when I post again in 2012.
When I enrolled in the local community college two Summers ago, interior design had kind of become more of a vague interest that would see me through to a degree and a marketable skill. One of my life-time goals has always been to finish college, whether it's been posted here or not. I think the only reason I hadn't mentioned it before is that I was much more concerned with paying off old school debts before incurring new ones. =) Anywho...
During the 2010 Fall semester, shortly after my August post, I took a graphic design course required by my interior design major. My professor introduced me to the Associate of Arts degree. It's just as generic as it sounds. Which was good for me - it meant that, with all of the college credits I've already earned, I was eligible to graduate with said degree after only earning 10 more credits.
I earned the last of those credits a month ago.
Things had to happen a little more suddenly than I expected, so I missed the deadline to petition to graduate in December. My guidance counselor, though, is trying to fast track my petition so I don't have to wait until May to receive my diploma. It'd be nice, since I may be looking for a new job as early as January.
I mentioned it was my graphic design professor who told me about this degree, right? While taking this class, I realized that I not only have an interest in graphic design, but I seem to have an aptitude for it as well. Now that I have my degree in my back pocket (and instead of starting a brand new major and spending thousands more on college), I've enrolled in a 10 month cohort at a local career center to learn all of the programs I need to know to get a job in Graphic & Web Design.
Didn't I say something about looking in to web design years ago? Anyway...
I had my first class Monday night, and I'm really looking forward to this. The more I use the software, the more excited I get, and the more confident I am in my skills. It's difficult, being away 3 nights a week, 4 hours at a time, and giving up my entire Saturday morning; and it makes cooking dinner a struggle for myself and my husband. But I'm willing to sacrifice so much for this - not to the point of seeing Brad suffer, but I've had to be clever and make things work however I could before. I can figure it out this time, too. I will make it work. And, lest you think this is a hasty decision, rest assured this has been in the works since before February. I think 7+ months is a long enough time to consider and make a somewhat life-changing decision.
Besides: I want this so bad, I can taste it. I'm a little terrified - but mostly just determined.
Couple more goals to add, today.
1. Finish my 10-month program.
2. Land a job in Graphic & Web Design.
3. Revisit the photography idea as an addition to my list of design skills.
4. Pay off car loan, and save enough to buy a new car for Brad.
5. Take some wild vacation to Europe.
6. Move to a place with friends nearby, and settle down.
7. Buy a house with at least 20% down.
Marry the love of my life.
Secure an entire apartment's worth of (somewhat matched) furniture.
Visit someplace outside of the the U.S. other than Canada.
Pay off my student loan by May 9th, 2009 - and still have $1k left in savings and $400 in checking.
Purchase 2004 Toyota Corolla LE (or similar).
Learn to be financially trustworthy.
Pay off all my credit card debt.
Purchase a new computer.
Find a job that pays the bills.
Update my wardrobe.
I clearly did not have many goals the last time I posted, and with good reason. But things change, and after an entire year, I have a clear idea of where I would like to be when I post again in 2012.
When I enrolled in the local community college two Summers ago, interior design had kind of become more of a vague interest that would see me through to a degree and a marketable skill. One of my life-time goals has always been to finish college, whether it's been posted here or not. I think the only reason I hadn't mentioned it before is that I was much more concerned with paying off old school debts before incurring new ones. =) Anywho...
During the 2010 Fall semester, shortly after my August post, I took a graphic design course required by my interior design major. My professor introduced me to the Associate of Arts degree. It's just as generic as it sounds. Which was good for me - it meant that, with all of the college credits I've already earned, I was eligible to graduate with said degree after only earning 10 more credits.
I earned the last of those credits a month ago.
Things had to happen a little more suddenly than I expected, so I missed the deadline to petition to graduate in December. My guidance counselor, though, is trying to fast track my petition so I don't have to wait until May to receive my diploma. It'd be nice, since I may be looking for a new job as early as January.
I mentioned it was my graphic design professor who told me about this degree, right? While taking this class, I realized that I not only have an interest in graphic design, but I seem to have an aptitude for it as well. Now that I have my degree in my back pocket (and instead of starting a brand new major and spending thousands more on college), I've enrolled in a 10 month cohort at a local career center to learn all of the programs I need to know to get a job in Graphic & Web Design.
Didn't I say something about looking in to web design years ago? Anyway...
I had my first class Monday night, and I'm really looking forward to this. The more I use the software, the more excited I get, and the more confident I am in my skills. It's difficult, being away 3 nights a week, 4 hours at a time, and giving up my entire Saturday morning; and it makes cooking dinner a struggle for myself and my husband. But I'm willing to sacrifice so much for this - not to the point of seeing Brad suffer, but I've had to be clever and make things work however I could before. I can figure it out this time, too. I will make it work. And, lest you think this is a hasty decision, rest assured this has been in the works since before February. I think 7+ months is a long enough time to consider and make a somewhat life-changing decision.
Besides: I want this so bad, I can taste it. I'm a little terrified - but mostly just determined.
Couple more goals to add, today.
1. Finish my 10-month program.
2. Land a job in Graphic & Web Design.
3. Revisit the photography idea as an addition to my list of design skills.
4. Pay off car loan, and save enough to buy a new car for Brad.
5. Take some wild vacation to Europe.
6. Move to a place with friends nearby, and settle down.
7. Buy a house with at least 20% down.
Marry the love of my life.
Secure an entire apartment's worth of (somewhat matched) furniture.
Visit someplace outside of the the U.S. other than Canada.
Pay off my student loan by May 9th, 2009 - and still have $1k left in savings and $400 in checking.
Purchase 2004 Toyota Corolla LE (or similar).
Learn to be financially trustworthy.
Pay off all my credit card debt.
Purchase a new computer.
Find a job that pays the bills.
Update my wardrobe.