Tag Archives: Advice

5 Tips To Jump-Start Your Post-College Design Career

June 5, 2013

5 Tips To Jump-Start Your Post-College Design Career

‘Tis the season for graduation! But beneath all the anticipation and excitement, I have been receiving a number of nervous emails from freshly minted design grads looking for ways to carve out their post-college careers. Most of us have been in that boat as well and I know how stressful it can be so I’ve compiled some tips to help make the transition smoother.

1. If full-time work is your goal but you don’t have a job lined up, try placement agencies.

I’ve worked with both Aquent and 24 Seven in the past and have had fantastic results with both. Placement agencies are great for a number of reasons. If you’ve never been to one, here’s what happens: first, you’re interviewed by an agent and they review your portfolio in-depth to determine your skill set. From there, it’s their goal to place you in jobs that they feel are the best possible fit. They have a good reason for wanting to keep both you and your employer happy: for each hour you work, they earn a commission.

Through placements, I was able to get into a number of boutique design studios and even Nike. The experience I gained was incredibly valuable and by moving around, from the tip of corporate America all the way down to 10 person studios, I learned a lot about how the design industry functions in a really short period of time. By trying on different hats, you become much more adaptable to varying management and design styles and I would argue, more valuable as a designer.

With placement agencies, since the work isn’t consistent (unless you get offered a contract), you tend to get paid substantially more than you would at a full-time position. I had times where I would get booked for two days but I can tell you that if you’re a good fit, they will find a way to make room for you. One particular short-term gig I had turned into an entire year! And if the company loves you, there’s a chance that they will offer you full-time employment.

Placement agencies are a great way to test the waters, especially if you’re still finding your way and settling into a niche. You’re able try out a variety of places and determine what works best for you (Agency or in-house? Digital or print? Design or production?) And if things don’t work out, that’s okay, too. Your agent can help you with parting ways gracefully and it’s a lot less painful than quitting a full-time job.

2. Before you reach out, whip that portfolio into shape!

When I graduated in 2008, print portfolios were absolutely mandatory. I know that since then, a lot of job seekers have switched over to digital portfolios exclusively to showcase their work. While I do use my iPad for supplementary work, I still have a print version. Maybe I’m old school but I know that a lot of the people I meet with are older than I am and appreciate the time and energy it takes to put together a print portfolio. I limit mine to 10 to 12 projects max and then share a larger variety on my iPad if they request more samples. If you’re curious, here’s a peek inside the last print portfolio I did.

While my print portfolio is very tightly edited, my digital portfolio is much more broad. I love Cargo for its ease of use and very reasonable fees. The pre-made templates are fantastic and with a little CSS magic, you can refine them further. I’m working on a full website to house my projects (more on that later!) but in the meantime, Cargo has treated me well over the last two years. Also, Squarespace has some beautiful template options, too.

3. Nail the interview basics.

We’ve all heard tips for nailing a great interview from friends, family and industry professionals enough times to feel like they’re one big cliché. Show up on time! Dress the part! Act enthusiastic! We know, we know! UGH!

But seriously, all of these small things combine to make an unforgettable impact. I’ve been on dozens of interviews and can vouch that most run incredibly smoothly — most creative staff were once in your position and remember that nervous, uncertain feeling well. As long as you move through your portfolio quickly, they are usually incredibly accommodating.

But, there’s always those curveballs when we least expect them and that’s where practicing these tips comes into play so you can remain graceful under fire! There was one interview that I’ll never forget: it was so intense that I felt like I’d been transported to the O.J. trial. I kept thinking, “I’m being interviewed for a job so why does it feel like an interrogation?!” Even so, I made it through, smiled, shook the interviewer’s hand and thanked him for his time. And then quickly left. Always keep your cool! My 11 tips for acing your next design interview can help you get started.

4. Knowledge Is Power.

I’m always reading books about my field in an effort to stay current with design trends, strategy and business. My top three picks for highly valuable insight on breaking into the industry are:

A. How to Be a Graphic Designer without Losing Your Soul by Adrian Shaughnessy

I found this book to be hugely beneficial when I was first starting out — it’s simple, relatable and immediately applicable. And that’s exactly what I needed.

B. Work for Money, Design for Love by David Airey

I love the smooth flow of this book, from beginning to end. It’s so rare that hugely successful designers open up and share the inner workings of their businesses along with detailed insights of their processes.

C. Design Student Handbook by Computer Arts

Looking for a guide that covers all the nitty gritty of prepping a killer portfolio and breaking into the design industry? The Design Student Handbook is for you. I wish there was something like this on the market back when I graduated!

5. Blog about your projects. Always.

When I was first starting out, I used my blog to share all of my new client work. The good, the bad and the ugly made its way up for the world to see and each project I shared brought in new prospects.

Getting comfortable with sharing my work was hugely beneficial in getting my foot in the door at a number of design jobs because I’d already developed my voice and style very publicly. It can be scary putting your work out there but it’s something you have to get accustomed to because you never know who’s reading it. A good example: In 2009, I was three days into a Nike contract when I got called into my department manager’s office. I thought I’d done something terribly wrong and was getting fired! Instead, he said he’d recognized me from my blog and wanted to know if I’d be interested in permanent positions.

If steady work doesn’t pop up right away post-graduation, your blog can be a great way to drum up freelance work. And who knows, you might be so successful at it that a full-time job becomes a fading memory. Oh, and don’t forget to share those in-progress snippets on dribble and your glowing final outcomes on Behance.

Graduates, I know it’s not easy but view each opportunity (no matter how small) as a learning experience and with time, your path will unfold. Good luck on your new, exciting journey!

2 Game Changers I Learned in Entrepreneurship Class

May 29, 2013

Game Changers

Last week, I completed a two-part entrepreneurship workshop, So You’re The Owner of a Million Dollar Company and You Don’t Even Know It! While the whole class was jaw-droppingly good from beginning to end (really, it takes a lot to keep business chit-chat interesting and Stephanie Lynn sure delivered), I thought I’d share my top two takeaways. While it’s never a walk in the park running a small business, these two points were huge eye openers for me:

1. To overcome your fears, put them on a shelf. Literally.

Hear me out: we all have fears when it comes to running a business / blog / etc. and I have a lot of them. If you’ve met me, you’ll know that I’m confident, a hard worker and I’m never afraid to seize new opportunities but at the same time, I also value stability. There’s a really fine line between craving a stable life and playing it too safe.

In class, we were asked to write a list of everything we were afraid of. I quickly scribbled down half a page of notes without a second thought. Easy enough, I figured. Fear flows out freely if you let it and glancing down at that paper, I was holding onto much more of it than I realized.

Next, we were each handed a Ziploc bag and told to place that list inside, zip it closed, take it home and place it on a very high shelf. It was time to put away those fears, once and for all.

I know this exercise sounds simple but sometimes the act of physically doing something is such a powerful thing. Just writing that list wasn’t enough — how many times have we each written those same lists when we’re scared? But the symbolism of physically putting those fears on a shelf really inspired me to finally let go and move on.

2. For your business to flourish, you MUST understand the difference between price and value.

No matter how fabulous your business is, there will always be people who come along and ask for a discount. There will always be people who want something for nothing. But if you’re not benefitting, don’t be afraid to say no. It’s hard but most of the time, these are not your ideal customers anyway.

Your ideal customers do value your offerings enough to pay you what you’re worth. They respect your talent and your experience. These customers aren’t the easiest to find at first but I promise you that they’re out there.

One of the keys to convincing your ideal customers that your product or service is worth the price you’ve set is to back that value up with a story. For instance, Stephanie used the example of her business, Sweet Spot Skirts — her story is that all of her products are manufactured in the U.S. and she provides jobs for unemployed women. She clearly outlines her commitments here.

Any time someone balks at your prices, reaffirm the value they are receiving from doing business with you. Do not lower your pricing unless you have very specific reasoning for doing so (such as a holiday sale, anniversary and so on).

If you have sales all the time and offer up a discount to anyone who comes along, you’re diluting your offerings and once you’ve gone down, it’s a tough climb back up.

Thinking back, I had come across these two concepts at earlier points in my life but sometimes it takes a certain teacher outlining specific experiences to bring them to life. And when they finally click, they’re lessons you’ll never forget.

Blog Log #9: Activity Breeds Activity

May 7, 2013

Blog Log: Activity Breeds Activity


Photo: Made U Look

If you’ve ever hit a roadblock and wondered why you should keep blogging, if you’ve ever been overwhelmed with life and pushed your blog off to the side, if you’ve ever wondered why you should continue blogging when there are so many other great blogs out there, the answer is simple:

Activity breeds activity.

In a way, I’d been trying to explain this for years every time I got asked by someone why they should keep blogging when they weren’t getting the results they sought. But, as hard as I tried, the words never tumbled out as eloquently. Then, I was sitting in an entrepreneurship class two weeks ago when Stephanie Lynn said those three words: when it comes to reaching your goals, activity breeds activity. It was as simple as that.

Following that class, it quickly became my new mantra. I’ll be honest, there are plenty of days that I feel overextended, plenty of times I am tapped out of energy, unable to even scratch the surface of my to-do list and the last thing I feel like doing is blogging. But I know that the more time I take off from anything (eating right, working on personal projects and yes, blogging), the harder it is to get back into the swing of things.

So even when I have those feelings, I now remind myself that activity does in fact breed activity and the more of myself I put out into the world (via blogging, social media and responding to emails), the more I’ll get back. We should always give without expectations but it is a nice feeling when we receive something of value in return.

The more you dedicate yourself to your blog and the more regularly you put thoughtful, high quality content out into the world, the faster you’ll see results. If you want to get more out of your blog, give more.

There is no secret to getting to where you want to go. It takes a whole lot of work, perseverance by the boatload and a willingness to give it everything you’ve got. And, practice. I’ve said that it took me 500 posts before I hit my stride and really found my voice. Blogging takes time but that activity you put in now will pay off later.

Blog because you love it but also blog about topics that resonate with you (and in return, your readers). Blog because you can’t imagine not having it in your life. And blog with consistency. Because when it comes to blogging, activity breeds activity.

View more of the Blog Log series here.

Getting Schooled: Computer Arts Design Student Handbook

January 30, 2013

Nubby Twiglet Computer Arts Design Student Handbook

“If you have the right skills and attitude, sooner or later you’ll be in the right place at the right time.” —David Annetts

There are a lot of students out there who read this blog as well as a lot of people questioning whether they should go to school for design. This post is for you. Even though I’ve been out of school for close to five years now, I started this blog as a design student and I remember having more questions than answers about the industry I was beginning to break into. I only wish there was a guide like The Design Student Handbook around at that time.

I now take a lot of the information I’ve gathered for granted but flipping through this guide makes me remember exactly what it was like. And I commend Computer Arts for putting this together. It’s approachable, solid and takes a lot of mystery out of what it takes to start a career in design. And it doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that the design industry is more competitive than ever.

The handbook is divided into 8 chapters and covers topics including picking the right learning method (from self-taught to university), how to find an internship, what works (and doesn’t) for self-promos, what it takes to make it in the real world and how to get noticed in a sea of other designers.

I like the practical approach to the guide — it even weighs the pros and cons that come with traditional schooling routes and covers alternatives to getting qualified that involve a lot less expense. And, it gives you tips on how to survive while studying from staying inspired to keeping a budget! I feel like alternative methods aren’t discussed often enough and I’m glad this guide breaks down those barriers. For instance, I attended an accelerated design program at a community college and it taught me everything I needed to know at a fraction of what it would have cost at university. It’s important to weigh your options before incurring a huge amount of debt.

Of course, getting into school and doing the work is only the beginning. I love that the guide says that you should treat your final year at university like a job. And, to always be your worst critic. Because honestly, when you’re in school, these are the two things you don’t want to hear! Beyond that, submit your work to design blogs, put time into your website and never stop networking, both online and off.

Nubby Twiglet Computer Arts Design Student Handbook

Remember that no matter how great you are, you still have to nail your first interview. A few points on the list stood out in particular, namely to not be late, personality definitely counts and YOU’RE NOT GOD. The takeaway: be confident but never arrogant!

The internship section is also spot-on. This starts by explaining the difference between internships, placements and work experience. Who knew?! I interned at the same design studio for a full year and agree with many of the sentiments including confidence is king, speak up, become irreplaceable, act interested and act as though you’re already on the staff!

“Your portfolio serves as an extension of your personality.” —Dominic Lippa

I found the self-promotional section perhaps the most helpful because the truth is that no matter how talented you are, you still have to get out there and let people know that you exist! Portfolio tips and promo ideas are covered but also perhaps more importantly, tips on how to avoid social media pitfalls are as well.

Finally, there’s a resource guide in the back. I like that it’s not just the usual list of inspiration sites and schools. Instead, the list runs the gamut from courses to essential reading to legal to finances, housing, digital folio sites and industry advice. What more do you need?!

I found my copy of The Design Student Handbook at Barnes & Noble but you can head on over to the Computer Arts shop as well. Students, if you’re looking for an affordable, go-to guide this is a great place to start.

Advice #54: How Can I Share More Of Myself On My Blog?

January 23, 2013

Advice

Advice


Never Be Afraid to Share Who You Are



“I’m wondering if you could share some tangible action steps on how to start incorporating and sharing more of your personal self in a blog. I don’t promote myself or share much about myself. I could share much more. But I’m pondering on where to start — how do I take the first step towards putting myself out there on my own blog? I’ve realized that I can improve my blog by sharing more of myself to make it more personal and engaging. However, I’m really struggling with where to begin.”

Growing up in a world of celebrity culture where television and movie stars are everywhere, coming across as ridiculously confident can leave the rest of us feeling lesser than. (Or maybe that’s just me). The truth is, a lot of us have to fake it until we make it. One of my most popular advice columns last year was Does Blogging & Self-Promotion Make Me Vain? I ended it with this statement:

“Think of your brand this way: if you don’t believe in it, nobody else will. People are always going to judge you no matter what, whether you choose to put yourself out there or not. It’s human nature. Remember that truly successful people are fearless and promote what they value and believe in, even if that’s their own brand.”

I meant it, too. Trust me, there are plenty of days that I really don’t want to talk about myself, the project I just completed or an interview that I just did. But, I do it anyway because it’s my responsibility to build my brand, not anyone else’s. And nobody is going to toot my own horn for me!

Here are some applicable tips to jump-start sharing more of yourself:

Face Your Fears.

Before you can put yourself out there, you need to determine what is holding you back. Is it a fear that you’re not unique enough? That someone will leave nasty comments? That you’re not smart enough? That you’re not an “expert”? That you’re not attractive enough? That you don’t measure up to so-and-so?

Once you decide why you haven’t already made the move to share more of yourself, you can begin working on fixing that aspect.

When I started my blog, it was way before the big “blogging for business” craze and full-time bloggers were few and far between. Most of us twenty-somethings had personality-based blogs from the beginning, especially those of us who’d gotten started on Live Journal. I never gave it much thought — I posted about myself, my art, design and surroundings and figured that if people didn’t like it, they didn’t have to read. It really was simple as that. Five years later, I still feel the same way!

Facing your fears is easier than you think: once you accept that not everyone is going to like you, there are mean people in the world and that you should always stay true to yourself, it doesn’t seem so daunting.

Set Some achievable goals.

This is going to sound silly but the more often you blog and share who you are, the easier it becomes. For instance, you may set some achievable goals such as, “No matter what, I will share at least one current photo of myself in a post each week.” Or, “Each week, I will post a gratitude list of things in my life I’m grateful for.” Or, “If something bad happens to me, how can I turn it around into an experience I can help others learn from?” Or, “Once a month I’ll share a personal story and ask readers if they’ve been through something similar and how they dealt with it.”

Realize that you are unique.

We’ve all been consumed with thoughts about how we could possibly be unique. With the sheer quantity of blogs out there, how is ours really any different? The sole answer is YOU. I talk about this in more detail during my branding segment at The Blogcademy but it basically boils down to realizing that we each have unique experiences and skills that we can share with the world. By opening up and not only sharing who you are but also TEACHING, HELPING and INFORMING your readers, you’re not only empowering yourself but putting good out into the world.

Do it now.

What I’ve realized in life is that there are folks who soak up boundless information and say they’re going to make changes and then there’s those who actually follow through and make changes. Don’t be a sayer, be a doer. Ultimately, once you realize that most bloggers are the same as you, most face the same worries and fears and that nobody is actually untouchable, it’s easier to get started.

Start small. Start today. Hopefully these tips will take down the curtain you’ve been putting in front of yourself and allow you to be more comfortable with sharing who you are.

Advice #53: Do I Need To Move To Jump-Start My Career?

January 16, 2013

Advice

Advice



“I am a 26 year old single mother from Alabama and I have a degree in Graphic Design. I am considering starting a freelance business but things just aren’t working out the way that I want them to. I am currently working full-time in a field that has nothing to do with what I ultimately want to do and I am so ready to step out there on faith and move to a larger city. I must however take into account that I have a growing 5 year old and not very much money. I want to move somewhere that is rich in culture. Do you have any suggestions on cities that would be affordable, and that I wouldn’t have to drive hours to gain some inspiration? I am pretty much open to any state in the U.S.”

To start with, my advice is as simply this:

Location isn’t everything.
Affirmations and a plan are.

But let’s dig deeper. First of all, it’s great that you’re passionate about design but also realistic when taking into account the needs of your child. Working hard to make ends meet, even if it’s in a different field than you’d like to be is admirable and I promise you, we’ve all been there! But before you make any moves, it’s important to take stock of where you are with finances and goals and then make a plan.

A big move coupled with starting a new business can feel daunting so start small. Thankfully, you already have a job. Realistically, if you give up this job and move to another city, it may take months to find another. How much can you save every month on your current income? What does a solid six months of expenses look like? Try to build as much of a cushion as possible before you make a move in your location and career, for both you and your child’s sake.

From there, think about the present — it isn’t so bad. With the buffer of a full-time job, you can start freelancing on the side with very little risk. Without your entire income dependent on an upstart business, you’ll be able to create more freely and also put any earnings towards your fund.

Start Online & Local First

One thing you didn’t mention in your letter: do you have a website? Let’s be honest here — people care more about you, your online presence and your portfolio than where you live. I met a number of designers at the Design Life retreat last summer that don’t live in big, bustling cities yet they have hugely successful freelance businesses. It’s all about talent, personality and work ethic. You can be anywhere and make that connection.

To jump-start your freelance career, build a support network online right now. How? Join sites like Dribbble and Behance and share snippets of your work. Start a blog. Reach out to creatives you admire. We all like to have a list of offline connections as well and you can make some great friends by joining the local AIGA chapter in your city.

Then, Move

As for where to move: big cities like New York and LA have always had bustling design scenes but also have a higher cost of living and more competition. But for smaller, niche studios, you might find a great fit in Portland, Minneapolis or Austin. I live in Portland so I’m slightly biased because we have TONS of tiny studios all the way up to companies the size of Nike that are constantly looking for new talent. My advice before making any big move would be to visit a city first and line up plenty of informational interviews. Get a feel for what you’re up against so it’s not a surprise.

If you do decide to make the big move and don’t have a full-time gig lined up, I strongly suggest meeting with placement agencies including Aquent and 24 Seven (I’ve worked for both in the past and they’ve been excellent). They can place you at a variety of design studios and ad agencies and this is a great way to earn some money quickly and make a lot of contacts in the industry, not to mention elevate your resumé while getting your footing in a new city.

In Closing

This may not be what you were expecting to hear but with an internet connection, it matters much less where you live today than it ever has before. Don’t ever let your physical location hold you back from starting a freelance business and living out your dreams. Once you have some momentum and a safety net of living expenses built up, your next move is completely up to you. Good luck!

Advice #52: Does Blogging & Self-Promotion Make Me Vain?

December 5, 2012

Advice

Advice

Source.


Hello, I’m wondering if you ever struggle with vanity. To run a blog like your own calls for a great deal of what they call shameless self promotion and self preoccupation. I am basically very generous person and I have a thirst to serve others with my presentation skills and other solution-driven aspects of my personality. The biggest struggle I’m trying to get over is allowing my own brand to be the outlet of all my creative gifts. It’s so hard because it feels so vain to me. I was just wondering if you’ve ever struggled with this?

I used to feel this way as well, so strongly in fact that I was afraid to start a blog on my own domain. It tripped me up for a long time but one conversation changed all that.

From 2001 to 2007, I blogged on Live Journal. Around 2007, I became more aware of my friends (including Gala) making the leap from Live Journal to their own domains. I liked what I saw but I wasn’t sure that was a good move for me. I had the mindset that if I wanted to be taken seriously as a designer, my website should feature only my portfolio. If I shared the rest of who I was, including photos and insights into what I was wearing, were I lived and what I did outside of designing, it would deflect from my work.

But I naturally like to share. And I’m more than just my job — I have other interests. Why should you or I feel shame in sharing what we like?

My turning point came during the Summer of 2007 when I was on a trip to LA. I met up with Star and spilled my worries out at a Coffee Bean in Hollywood. She assured me that things were quickly changing — sure, the established designers didn’t need to blog, they were already established! But the up and comers could benefit from social media and I should just go for it. Trust me, I was still scared but I just did it. A month after that fateful talk, my blog went live.

The shift from that decision happened fast. Within my first year of blogging, I was being approached by clients including Forever 21 and receiving multiple freelance inquiries a week. Sometimes, I still felt unsure though. I’m a pretty humble, modest person and putting myself out there day in and day out felt tiring at times. There were definitely days when I just wanted to design and go about my business and not be bothered! But I knew that if I quit, rebuilding momentum would be incredibly hard. So I kept on and I’m so thankful I did.

Blogging isn’t easy. Designers by nature tend to lurk in the shadows. I’ve never wanted to dance, act, sing or be in the mainstream spotlight. I’ve just wanted to be the best designer and blogger I could be. And if putting myself out there helps to support my business but even more importantly helps me connect with other creatives, I’ll continue to do so.

With blogging, there’s occasionally some bad mixed in with the good but overall, I wouldn’t change a thing. The friends I’ve made, the places I’ve gotten to travel and the thoughts, images and insights I’ve gotten to share with you, the readers, are priceless in a way. Blogging has made my life much more full and given me much needed structure.

Think of your brand this way: if you don’t believe in it, nobody else will. People are always going to judge you no matter what, whether you choose to put yourself out there or not. It’s human nature. Remember that truly successful people are fearless and promote what they value and believe in, even if that’s their own brand. That’s your choice and yours alone.

Advice #51: More College Degrees?! What Do YOU Really Want?

November 21, 2012

Advice

Advice

Focus on the quality of your education, not the quantity of degrees you rack up.


Hello, I have a B.F.A. in Photography and I am pursuing a Master’s in Arts Technology. The master’s is in a different department than I received my bachelor’s. I was recently told that career changers sometimes only end up in the bottom of the food chain and to consider a second bachelor’s in Graphic Design with the Master’s degree. I am concerned about the mega amount of debt that this would mean for me. Am I better off pursing graphic design or should I still try to pursue a web design career?

I’ll be honest: throwing around all these degrees and departments is making my head spin! First things first, block out all those voices. Everyone (your college advisors, parents, spouse, pet…you get my drift) is going to have an opinion. They’re entitled to their opinions but it’s your life! Sit down and think hard: what do YOU want to do? What makes you happy? What seems most realistic for you to spend the next few decades doing? Once you answer this question, you can move forward.

I can speak about this from personal experience. When I’d wrapped up my business degree and then applied for a design program the following year, so many people questioned why. “Why would you do that? You already have a degree!” And, “Your design program is for a two-year degree. You already have a four-year degree. That doesn’t make any sense.”

Trust me, I heard it all. It wasn’t about the prestige, though. I didn’t need two four-year degrees. I didn’t care if my diploma had a fancy name splashed across it. What I did care about was learning as much as I possibly could in the shortest amount of time while accumulating the least amount of debt.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: Some of those big name schools are worth every penny. They have the prestige, the big name teachers, the best equipment and the most beautiful campuses. But realistically, very few of us can afford them (and I’m one of those people who would be stressed out constantly by bone-crushing debt). I promise you that if you put in the time, work harder than anyone else, show up on time and reach out for internships as soon as you can, you can attend community college and get just as far.

While the technical skills you learn in school are really important and provide you with a strong foundation to build off of, the internships are often your golden ticket to employment. Even if you don’t get hired from your internship you’re bound to make career-long connections that will help you as you progress. And that real world experience you gain from internships is priceless.

Remember, to employers in creative fields it doesn’t matter how much you spent on school or how many advanced degrees you have. They want to know that you can do the job you say you can do, do it quickly and do it well. They really want to see your portfolio and your references. Your portfolio speaks volumes about your skill level and versatility. No matter where you decide to go to school or what degree you think is the best, focus on your portfolio and gaining internships.

In closing, the answer in this situation is whatever you want it to be. Instead of focusing on degrees and titles, focus on what you want. Focus on what makes you feel fulfilled. Another degree won’t make you happy but the career you can gain from the skills you learn will.

Readers: Have you been at this crossroads? How did you decide which path to take in your schooling and career?