My Career Path

After reading chapter three of Andy Rutledge’s book, Design Professionalism, which is about career paths I was able to confirm the journey I would like to take during my career path. It didn’t really change from what I wanted before because most of the concepts he talked about I had previously been told about. But, he did introduce several good opinions and recommendations.
 

I am getting ready to graduate with an Associate’s Degree in visual communications specializing in graphic design. I would like to start off my career path by getting a summer internship so that I can first get my feet wet at an agency. That way I can do what Andy recommend and learn how to become a design professional and everything that includes such as working as part of a team, developing my skills, forming professional standards, and establishing trustworthiness and a reputation. I would also rather make mistakes working for a company rather than make them as a freelancer so they don’t reflect back on me.
 

While working as an intern, I would also like to continue my education at a four-year school so that I can strive towards a Bachelor’s Degree. If I don’t end up staying at the internship long-term I know my odds of getting a career will increase if I have a Bachelor’s Degree.

I don’t plan on relocating to find a successful career, but if need be I will. Evansville, Indiana is a good start to finding a successful career, but I know there are even greater opportunities in bigger cities.
 

As far as freelance work, I don’t think I will be doing that for a long time, if at all. I don’t know very much about the business side of graphic design or running my own business for that matter. If I were to one day have my own freelance business I would first need to take business classes or minor in business management.