Hey wind- when I’m out taking photos, ya gotta stop. Sheesh.

So, yesterday I was talking about my story and how I got to where I am today…

I ended with saying that I transferred to University of Houston, with intentions of getting my degree in Marketing. And. I. Hated. It.

Just a couple weeks ago I got to talk to a girl that also attended UH the same time I did, and she was in the Marketing department as well. I was so glad that we were on the same page! You see, for some reason, the Marketing Degree at UH, all they seem to talk about is Sales. They want you to be a salesperson. I was constantly sitting in lectures from people that were out selling things. They even had a sales team/track at the school and if you weren’t in that program they were basically telling you you weren’t going to be able to get a job. Because those students on that track would get the job over you.

Fantastic.

I did NOT want to be in sales. Marketing, to me, was so much more than that! I wanted to do research on how to get products to the public, what would make them sell, and help come up with marketing campaigns. That is what marketing was to me.

So, after sticking with that program for 2 painful semesters. I quit. I am a horrible test taker, so that only added to it. I would study for hours, just to barely pass.

The final straw was my last semester, I was studying, going to all of the classes, getting involved in study groups, doing everything I could to pass. I remember the night before one of my finals just crying because I knew I wasn’t going to pass a class. *note- that teacher was horrible and a lot of other students were in the same boat* but for me, it was the last straw. I knew I had to do something different. I was miserable going to a class with over 300 students, sitting by myself and not making any friends. I hated it, I was getting bad grades, It wasn’t working.

Now… here are some things that were very hard for me:

• I felt like a failure.
• Seriously thought something was wrong with me because I can’t do tests.
• Embarrassed because I wouldn’t have a Bachelors degree. = Failure.

Its been a spiral. And it’s a constant battle to not have those feelings anymore. When I graduate in two weeks I wont have a bachelors degree. I’ll have two associates degrees. One in Business, and one in Graphic Design. Ok, the equivalent of a 4 year degree right? Totally. But will people view it differently, yeah. I think so. 

So, I did end up quitting UH, and decided to go after something I was genuinely interested in. Something I felt like I could LOVE as a job, and would be passionate about. Something I kept pushing to the back burner because I kept facing obstacles and was afraid it wouldn’t pan out.
Graphic Design.

I did look into doing graphic design at UH, but I would have had to take 6-7 classes before I could APPLY to get into the program. Then, I had to submit a portfolio (which then I had NO idea what that meant) and only 20 students got in each year. I didn’t think I could do it. Looking back on it now, I’m still not sure I could have, because it took me a full year to get an okay portfolio together, and that included an internship.

So, I ended up back at Lone Star College. The community college where it all started for me. I had one class to finish to get my Associates in Business. Then, 3 semesters worth to get my degree in Graphic Design.

That gets us to today. :)

Yeah, I still struggle. I know I have a ton to learn still, but yet I also know that my time in school is done. If not permanently, then for a long time. I know that I can do it now though. I am a fast learner, confident, and not afraid to go after my dreams.

I have always wanted to have my own business, for as long as I can remember. I know with Graphic Design I can achieve this. Whether its this year, or 10 years from now. It’s possible. And even though I’ve gone through H*** to get to this point. I am happy. I love what I do. People always tell me, you’re not going to find a job you love, it just doesn’t happen.