Attention Graduates:
There's some things you probably haven't been told about working in the design/advertising field, so let me share a little. I apologize for rambling, but it's late and I took some Nyquil not too long ago. (Note: statements marked with an asterisk are not mine, but came from a thread at QBN.com and deserved a response.
Do not get married to your job.
If you decide to, do it while you're young and don't have a family or many committments to sustain. Don't expect to maintain family/social life/good health while working 70 hour weeks and weekends. Separate home and work.
Take your first couple jobs for what you'll learn and who you'll work with.
They'll be a huge influence on you and shape your career between the connections you make and the skills you learn. IF your first job out of college is as a senior designer or the only designer, run!
Speaking of Networking...
Every single job I've gotten has been through a connection. You still need to perform, but having a personal reference will get you in to many openings that otherwise wouldn't be available.
NEVER bite the hand that feeds you*
The design community is fairly small, and likes to talk. Word WILL get around.
Save your money. Save, save, save.
Learn to use your credit cards wisely. Stabilize your money situation. If it takes living at home until you get set up with a good job, that's what it takes.
Famous doesn't always equal good.
Don't take yourself TOO seriously*
We're not curing cancer, folks. This is especially true if you work in advertising.
Watch lower case r's - they're a bitch to kern.
Attention to detail. No, you shouldn't be a neurotic, quivering mess, but you should be on the lookout at all times.
Prepare to meet alot of stupid people.*
It's true. For every genuinely intelligent or creative or hard-working person you meet, you'll meet at least 3 who you will be amazed that they have survived into adulthood. If you haven't noticed this in college, you might not be on the right side of the equation. Don't get cocky - you'll screw up, spectacularly, sooner or later.
Fake it 'til you make it.*
I'm not kidding - no one knows everything. You'll be amazed how much you didn't learn in college. You'll learn fast. Don't lie, but don't underestimate your ability to learn something in a panic.
Stay true to your passions.*
The really cool design jobs generally pay less and are harder to find. That's because everyone wants them. IF you want t one, be prepared for a fight.
Be a professional.
Show up on time. Leave when your work is done. Anything else will reflect poorly on you. In the real world, being the flaky art major will earn you no friends.
Stay humble.*
No one cares that you are a beautiful and unique snowflake. There is always someone better than you... more unique... trendier... whatever. If you're good, your work will speak for itself.
Cannonball had a great list:
- Take yourself seriously. Even too seriously, if need be. If you don't, no one else will.
- You get a job to A-get paid and B-do good work. To be a good employee, pursue A at all costs, and to be a good designer, pursue B at all costs. You can be both, but most of the time you have to decide which is more important. Realize that despite what anyone says, pursuing B gets you A, so do so when you are young and can still make sacrifices for your work.
- Know what you are worth, and value your own opinion about it more than anyone else's. If you don't, you will get taken advantage of. If you are wrong, adjust accordingly.
- Use your favorite color a lot.
- Travel.
- To be a designer, you have to be creative. Not everyone is creative. If designing doesn't work out for you, remember that being creative opens doors to other things you can do.
- Stay out of advertising whenever possible. Find out why by doing advertising. (Note: I work in advertising. The trick is to find the right place.)
- Make friends with those you sit near, and they will watch your back. Watch their back too.
- Now that you are out of school, put down the bottle.
Freelance.
Besides earning some extra money, you'll get to flex your skills and do what YOU want, for a change. Of course, you're the one to blame if it goes wrong. Don't forget to treat this like your day job - they're paying you. Don't forget to check your tax situation or hire an accountant if the work starts to add up.
Get used to paying.
Stock photography costs money. So does software. And fonts. And computers. In case you weren't sure, the world runs on money. Buy software as soon as you can afford it. Look at cheaper alternatives - most people don't need the full Adobe CS suite. If you're making money off of someone else's tools, make sure they get their share.