How long did it take you to get where you are ?
For some of us it has been a long Baptism of fire ...
For some it has been easier but nevertheless a tiring journey into the depths of one's soul to find the power and will to go on.
For some it was much easier but its rare you see Success stories come without sweat and hard work . Even the most talented have to prove themselves constantly.
Its summertime and internship-time at most corporations including TV Stations like the one I work for.
Yesterday we met our third intern this summer and most of them are fresh graduates who have a lot to learn in the real world and seem to think they know it all. They don't have the patience or will to learn new things or get better at the things they know. They want everything happening fast . They think if a logo takes more than a week to finalize that something is wrong . They want their own Desktop. Their own Internet Connection. They want the latest software. They want their own chair . They come late and leave early and all they do is nag and nag about how they can't get a job and how this is just an intern the university is making them do and how this is only a temporary thing waiting for the big thing that will come.
Well ... It would come if you stop nagging and start somewhere . Like the current place you are at . Don't get tired of Internships . Even ask to extend your internship as much as you can . Try to build good relation with the people around you . You never know who will be your next client or boss .
The key to getting your job is to never give up , even if you had to stay an intern for 5 years . Even if you start as a janitor at the company you want to work for . The key is to stay motivated . And never give up . You just have to figure out where you want to spend those hard work years . Eventually you'll get there and it will be very rewarding .
The way I see it is that no one is gonna hire someone who doesn't have any experience whatsoever so you'll have to get the experience somewhere . Don't say no to a job if you think it will put you in an environment that will create working opportunities for you . I used to be a Video Operator at the TV station I work for now . Three years ago that's all I were and for some of you who know how TV station operate you'll know its one of the most depressing dead-end jobs you can get stuck in and many were in fact but I kept pushing . I then moved on to become a Character generator , I had to stay late after might shift was over just to train prepare myself for the move . When I heard there was a vacancy I applied and had to meet the boss many times before I was accepted and in one week my training paid off and I became a Character Generator. It was step up but still a dead end job so I wanted more ...
I read the manual of the software we used for Character Generation a million times . I tried to learn every little secret and in a year and a half I was very good at what I do .
I got an extra job and learned Editing on Premier, I got well acquainted with avid liquid and after effects . I learned some 3D max and I was really good at Photoshop from all the avatars and signatures I did for forums . I applied for another job and I got it as Graphic Designer and I learned a lot there ... I became really good at Cinema 4D and mastered After Effects and became good at Illustrator ...
I kept on learning and learning . I learn everyday new things on blogs and sites about Design and now I'm a Graphic Designer at the Station I started as a Video operator in . Three and a half years and I'm finally there and I'm still pushing forward . Some of the software I'm starting to get into is ZBrush , Massive , and Dream weaver .
Although this turned out into a self-pimping article which I'm sorry it did but the message I'm trying to convey is to never give up and don't Expect anything to happen for you easily . You can ask anyone and they will tell you the same advice . Don't give up and be grateful for any opportunity you get to dip your toes into the Graphic Design Business even if it was just an Internship . Be Grateful because some of us had to kiss a thousand asses to get an intern not to mention not being lucky enough to learn Graphic Design at college