Career Day
thornysarus (926 pencils) | Tue, 2005-04-26 21:06
Just thought I'd share:
This morning, I got up, made the kids pancakes and saw them off to school before finally making it to my desk. I pulled up iCal at 8:02 a.m. and saw it. Today: At the Middle School: Career Day: Bring portfolio: Talk to kids: 8 a.m.
Ok... I'm like 10 minutes from the middle school and I'm standing in front of a packed room of 8 & 9th graders, coffee in-hand at exactly 8:25. Just in time for the 2nd session (of 4).
Damn. I'm good.
Long story short, I explained what I did and described the types of folks I work with and fielded some very good questions. It actually went quite well, and I left with a nice sense of accomplishment.
And yes. I remembered my portfolio.
When I got back home to my desk, there was a message. "Call (insert annoying client's name here)!! She's freaking out!!" Turns out to be a rush job that has been on (same client)'s desk for over a month. They need finals by the morning for publication. I give the client a call.
As the phone rings, I notice that the rain has stopped. It's a spring morning in the hills here in Tennessee. The sun shines through as a frantic client answers the phone with the "Glad you called..." and on and on about why he "didn't have time" and all about... "Sorry." I say. "It seems the clouds just parted, and I have a life." Nah... I actually politely declined, citing an impossible schedule, but I digress...
Not a bad career, indeed. ;)
Terry Thornhill
Commenting on this Forum topic is closed.
Cool beans. Sounds like fun... did the kids ask any questions?
It's good to be you. :D
I't nice that you have those special days in the US. They don't do anything like that in the Middle East or East Europe. :(
(I had to add that image to your post. Hope you don't mind. :)
No, the image is very suitable. Thanks.
Terrell Thornhill
e-zign Design Group
That sounds like a load of fun! May I ask if there were any questions they had asked that stood out in your mind?
-K
Some of the better ones (which would also make good forum discussions):
• What's your favorite piece you ever developed and why?
• Who was your inspiration in wanting to pursue Design as a career?
* What's the ups and downs of freelancing as opposed to going to work for an agency?
• What's the best way to learn all the programs that you use?
• How do you cope with being stuck at home all the time?
Terry Th
Terrell Thornhill
e-zign Design Group
Those are from 8th and 9th Graders? Wowie :D
I grew up in the 80s and there were quite a few slackers who could care less about what you were presenting.
I like the part about telling the frenetic client that you have a life [or however politely you put it] One of the glories of being freelance is the ability to say no. :)
You can say no if you're employed as well, you're risking the same thing.
Thanks for posting this! I have to go speak at a career day on Monday, you've given me a great idea of what to expect. Although I hope the eighth graders I'm speaking to will be as involved/interested.
"If you're flammable and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit.
Feel free to write that down and put my name underneath it ... and put a dash in front of it."
-- Mitch Hedberg
I too will be speaking at the Middle School Career Day next Thursday. To groups of kids grades 6, 7 & 8. I have 20 minutes with each group. How did your day work out Carlo?