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You're not wrong! Your experience has just been different than the poster above. No two people are going to experience the marketplace in exactly the same way.
Personally I got started in web design in 1996 specifically because I was a graphic artist, and the engineers that had dominated the field until that point, realized they needed to add a little more design, if they wanted to compete. And I flourished because it turned out I was also good at the coding. And now I'm a web developer, as well as a web designer, and of course, still a graphic designer. My value has always been that I'm good at all sides of it - including the marketing.
In my opinion, if you want to do only design or only do marketing or only do coding - then you really should focus on larger companies. But if you're really good at multiple parts of it, then you have value to large and small companies.
In every field everyone has to be continually developing their skills. That applies to teaching too. You may be able to get a teaching certificate with little effort but most states require that teachers complete continuing education modules and/or other measures to maintain their relevance in the workplace.
Bumping this up again since its been nearly 2 year and I'm once again torn about it.
Originally I was torn as to whether I should try and learn some graphic design but as I didn't know where my career was going to go, I held off. Well, 2 years later its clear to me that my career is currently going nowhere and I need to make some decisions.
I've been working at an engineering firm for 1.5 years and was learning proposal writing, which I liked at first and was hoping to focus on and move upward. But lately my interest is waning as I'm doing fewer and fewer proposals and on much lower levels than my peers (who have years of exp).
I'm interested in going back into a regular marketing position but again, out of the few postings I see, they want years of graphics or web design exp. I'm interested in learning both or either but I'm still torn on the following:
1) I can't seeing learning and being good at both. Which would be more useful?
2) I've seen ads that want skills in InDesign, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Qwark etc. These programs are expensive. I can't buy all of them. Also since I don't need them in my current job, where will I get experience and training? An 8-week class ain't gonna cut it. If I never use these skills, how do I retain what I learn?
3) Is it worth it? I'm currently trying to have a baby and the last thing I want to do was take classes right now. But I also need a better job so I can better support a child. I'd hate to try for this and still can't get a better job. But I guess everything is a gamble.
To be honest, I'm not sure why you are continuing to hesitate. It's obvious that the jobs you seem to want require these skills. Do you think that is really going to change in the future? I seriously doubt it. The trend is to consolidate marketing, graphic design, and media design roles and it's been that way for many years.
You don't need to purchase the software--they training center will have it for you. if you want the software at home to hone and solidify your skills, your enrollment in the class will likely qualify you for a student discount on the software.
Since the foundation of the positions you are seeking is your marketing background, these software skills are simply additional training--you don't need to necessarily enroll in some drawn-out course. Most training courses from authorized training centers are two days long. Community colleges usually offer four and six week courses (check out BCCC for example. Using their ed2go online program, 6 weeks, $99 per class). Is a commitment of a few days or slightly longer than a month really going to interfere with your baby-making plans?
To be honest, I'm not sure why you are continuing to hesitate. It's obvious that the jobs you seem to want require these skills. Do you think that is really going to change in the future? I seriously doubt it. The trend is to consolidate marketing, graphic design, and media design roles and it's been that way for many years.
You don't need to purchase the software--they training center will have it for you. if you want the software at home to hone and solidify your skills, your enrollment in the class will likely qualify you for a student discount on the software.
Since the foundation of the positions you are seeking is your marketing background, these software skills are simply additional training--you don't need to necessarily enroll in some drawn-out course. Most training courses from authorized training centers are two days long. Community colleges usually offer four and six week courses (check out BCCC for example. Using their ed2go online program, 6 weeks, $99 per class). Is a commitment of a few days or slightly longer than a month really going to interfere with your baby-making plans?
I guess my hesitation comes from trying to do so much as a time. While we're trying to have a baby, we're also buying a house and I just started a freelance writing side business. I'm worried about taking on too much and realistically, I was hoping that once I give birth, I could just focus on being a mother. But that is down the line.
I have looked into the continuing education courses at community colleges but I wonder how much can I learn in a 2-day class? And even in a 6-week class, if I don't own the software, I'll have no access after its over and I'm not sure how to apply what I learn afterwards if I don't need it for work.
It is evident however that I need to revamp my skills. I just need to figure it all out.
Since they expect graphic designers to be web development specialists. And now you have to know all about social marketing and search engine optimization as well... wth.
Marketing budgets are the first to get cut in a downturn. Yeah our sales are down, lets do LESS to sell our products. Whatever...
Personall stay FAR away from graphic design end of things. Print is dying and there are too many graphic designers that are hungry and freelancing.
Since they expect graphic designers to be web development specialists. And now you have to know all about social marketing and search engine optimization as well... wth.
Marketing budgets are the first to get cut in a downturn. Yeah our sales are down, lets do LESS to sell our products. Whatever...
I hear ya. Well my nifty husband got me copies of Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Photoshop and InDesign today. I'm going to hit the library for books and search for online tutotials and one by one learn what I can.
Sadly, graphic designers are going to continue to be undercut and priced out as this continues. All I hope is that employers/clients who shut us out don't expect the same level of work from someone who, forced to be a jack of all trades, took a quick Photoshop and InDesign course. (A whole 'nother problem in itself; "designers" being taught how to use software instead of being taught how to think and solve design problems...)
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