before

[kragore]

before, when I was looking for a job, I had a specific goal in mind - to be a graphic designer. A print designer, perferably. But a graphic designer none the less. It's what I was schooled in, what I'd been led to think I was pretty good at, and what I thought I could make a living at.


now, I sit, go though job postings, and I see key words like "fast-paced" and "deadline driven" and I feel ill. Actually, physically, burning-ulcer ill.
So perhaps what I do isn't what I'm supposed to be doing.


Too bad I don't have any other marketable skills.

- k.

Comments

[shu-al.livejournal.com]

Too bad I don't have any other marketable skills.

Sigh...you've got a fabulous brain on those tired shoulders of yours, and you're not afraid to use it. That's a marketable skill right there.

A marketable skill is anything you can convince yourself that you can do. The key is convincing others you can do it, too. No one really knows what you're made of (including you) until you begin working in whatever company it is you end up in. Can you sell your organizational skills? Can you sell your ability to work independently with limited supervision, while also being a team player? Are you detail-oriented? Can you multi-task? Your actual skills won't matter until you're doing the job, the things you do the best are things that won't be seen until you're actually working...

My marketable skill 5 years ago, when I was job hunting, was the ability to type 70 wpm. You have the advantage of having had employment in the field using your skills on a daily basis. Don't sell yourself short, to yourself or anyone else. You are worth your weight in gold, and then some.

[kragore.livejournal.com]

I guess it's just that I'm scared - before I had a purpose - a goal even. I knew what I wanted and I got it, now, not so much of a purpose, not as much of an idea where to go - Afraid I'm jumping from the frying pan into the fire...

It'll sort it's self out, I'm sure... I'll just be rather uncomfortable in the meantime.
Thanks, you.

- k.

[shu-al.livejournal.com]

I don't want to diminish anything you're going through at all - you're in a tough place kiddo, and I feel for you.

Have you checked out http://www.simplyhired.com/?

[nomadmwe.livejournal.com]

As a random aside:

http://www.candlewick.com/about_careers.asp?job=2

I don't know if it's quite what you're looking for, but I've heard nothing but cool things about working there. I mean, it's a children's book press, how cool is that?

Just something I tripped over as I was looking for things for me, and I thought you'd be interested. :)

[kragore.livejournal.com]

Thank you much, m'dear!

- k.

[nomadmwe.livejournal.com]

Hey, no problem. I think over on www.bbboston.org they have a couple other graphics/layout/whatnot listings.

I'll continue to keep an ear open.

[simoon.livejournal.com]

A thought about doing-what-you-do, but in a slower-paced environment: perhaps consider looking for design/graphic design positions in universities/colleges. Many of them have publications offices that need/want/have graphic designers. I suspect that positions do open up occasionally... and *everything* I've heard about working in a university kind of revolves around the "wow, this is such a slower pace than what I'm used to in the industry."

Yes, it generally means lower pay, but also means *way better benefits* (with many starting you off with four weeks of vacation and an exorbitant amount of sick time... and all the other basic benefits that many other places give).

It's just a thought, anyway.