When I first entered the world of employment (not counting that waitressing job at Swenson’s) I never thought my path would change so many times. My advertising degree proved to be nearly useless, as my outdated college classes didn’t teach anything to do with computer graphics.
Really?
But I adjusted, kept waitressing, did what I do best (art) and believed I was meant for more.
A major move to another state meant another re-evaluation, so I signed up with a temp agency and was immediately placed in a data-entry position. Ok. I can do that. Fast forward a couple of months, and a full-time position opened: marketing secretary. Even better. It utilized some of the skills I’d learned in college and being involved in the “Marketing Society” in high school, it was better money, and it got me away from the group of petty people who constantly talked behind my back, saying I got work because of my looks. I liked my new position. I helped out three different marketing managers, made good friends, and felt useful. But, three years of being a secretary, with no upward mobility in sight, had me casting out feelers again.
But something else had caught my eye. 1993 and Jurassic Park was on the big screen. Dear gods, I wanted to create like that!! I got a loan, hugged my family goodbye, and went to animation school, which resulted in over 16 years of awesome work, with only a hiccup or two, and a heart-wrenching reality when the economy collapsed in 2008. I had a ton of skills. Creativity, leadership, art direction, digital artistry, copy writing, a long work history, and glowing recommendations - and every job I applied for wanted all that and a bag of chips, but only wanted to pay entry-level.
Time to re-evaluate again. I had something in mind, something I had toyed with back when the aftermath of 9/11 ended one of my graphics jobs - special fx makeup. I figured if I were going to be paid entry-level again, at least it was going to be at something I actually was entry-level in! I was instinctively good at it. I could paint and sculpt, I had a twisted sense of humor, and I loved the hands on aspect of the application, after so many years of being glued to a computer. I was able to invest in another specialty school, and embarked on another foray into a notoriously difficult career.
And I spectacularly failed.
It wasn’t that I am no good.
I am.
But I had reached a point in my life where I had so little tolerance for bullshit, being treated poorly, overly long hours on dismal compensation, etc. Too many projects wanted the work for free, to “build up your portfolio.” The projects I did work on, the ones I choose to remember, were awesome, as were the people I worked with. But I wasn’t hungry enough for it to sell my soul. I’ve found an acceptable way to stay with it, though. I still love the creativity and artistry, so I take on small gigs, and make time for Halloween, when the haunts need artists to make ghoulies and zombies.
Apply brakes. Reroute.
I channeled my artistic abilities into teaching art, building up a cohesive fine art portfolio, editing and proofreading for author friends, and generally doing anything and everything to just keep swimming.
And not be pulled into the abyss...
