where to go from here....

[D-Frag]

So yesterday I lost my job. The bank cut our companies line of credit and the owner let half the staff go. Im feeling like im in an altered state of reality right now and seriously thinking about stepping out of the art industry all together. The problem....well I don't really know what I would like to do with my life. People say you change careers several times in your lifetime, ive been doing design now for almost 10 years and feel this may be the time to move on to bigger and better things. I just don't really know what to do.

I really really really liked my last job, in fact it was the kind of company that I had been searching for since I graduated college. I thought this one would be it, that this would be the company I settle down with and grow with, I envisioned myself there for years and years to come. Im at a loss right now with what direction to take my life, I feel if I do stay in the industry I will be miserable because I won't find another place as cool, relaxing and with the creative freedom I had. Im scared if I do take another job in the art industry that it will just make me despise it that much more, having the daily grind of feeling trapped in a job where I am stuck with rules and guidelines.

I honestly don't even know why im writing all this..... I guess im just wondering if anyone else here has ever felt this way. What did you do about it? Has anyone here ever jumped careers and just did something totally different? I guess im at a point in my life now where, yes it was fun "getting by" doing something I totally loved, but maybe at this moment in time in my life I should find a career that will.... you know.... make me some decent money for once. My grandfather always said the best way to make your life happy was to enjoy what you do for a living, but the problem is what I enjoy doing for a living barely pays the bills. I guess im just confused, hopeless and really have no positive outlook on the future at this point. Looking for inspiration from my fellow designers. :(

[urstwile]

Man, D-Frag, I'm sorry to hear about the job loss, were you expecting it? It sounds like it came from out of nowhere, unless it's just not something that you'd mentioned here on GDF before. I'm really sorry to hear about it.

I suspect a lot of what you're feeling right now is coming from the stress of not having a job. I don't know what the job market is like in your area, is it decent? If you really enjoy doing what you do, I'd stay stick with it. Maybe this is a good opportunity to see what the next level might be for you in the same career. How long were you working at the place you were at? I've seen some of the work you've done, and that's some cool stuff, your portfolio is going to be sure to impress someone.

If the job market isn't good in your area, is relocating an option?

Maybe this is a time for you to think about focusing on your music stuff, too. How about getting involved in designing more for the music industry?

Sometimes losing a job is a good time to re-evaluate, you might surprise yourself by what you come up with. Hang in there!

[Red Kittie Kat]

aww DF I'm so sorry ..... as Urst said sounds like this was a surprise to a lot of folks :(

All I can do is say "well said" to what Urst already expressed.

Give yourself a couple of days to process whats happened. I know that feeling of being lost and not sure where to turn. That will pass and then you can focus on the next step.

((((DF)))) http://redkittiekat.com/p9/hugs.gif

[D-Frag]

Thanks Urst and Kittie. Yes it was sudden and unexpected to the owner as well as myself. Im sure this is just how it feels to be crushed and I will get over it. The job market is really good here fortunately and I do have quite an impressive resume and portfolio as well as a ton of local contacts. One of the problems im facing is ive worked just about everywhere and with everyone at one point in time. There are only so many places here locally that specialize in what my trade has been which is large format graphics. Although I do have background experience in magazine layout and a multitude of other parts of what is labeled graphic design I just don't think I have what it takes to land me in one of the bigger ad agencies here.

I wanna walk into work and feel relaxed, low-lighting, nice furniture, modern deco, be able to decorate my office any way I want to. Spend time in meetings brainstorming for the next new tagline we will be using for clients like Nike, 3M you know? I just don't know if its possible to find something like that here considering places like these don't necessarily advertise that they are hiring. Usually companies of this stature tend to seek out who they want to hire and not just leave the front door open for anyone to walk in and hand a resume too.

Ill keep my head up and poke around a bit. If anything I know ill have to find something temporary and very quickly to keep up with bills, whether its design related or not. I just don't want to take a design job out of desperation for a company I will dread. I want to interview my employer, not the other way around. I feel I can give an unsurmountable amount of creativity and information to the right company, I just hope I can find it or it finds me.

[Kool]

Damn that blows. I know that was your dream job. You should be able to get unemployment shouldn't you? That will give you a little breathing room to make a decision.

[Tea]

That's a horrible blow D-Frag. I'm sorry to hear that. I don't know your work very well, but what makes you think you can't land a job in one of the big ad agencies? Maybe you can! And you won't know until you put together that killer resume and portfolio and get out there.

You know...take a few days off, just regroup yourself and take in the sights and sounds around you. Then look at your work with fresh eyes in a week or so and put it all together when your frame of mind is fresh and excited to get out there and give it your best.

I am sorry though to hear news that really blows you out of the water. I'll send some positive thoughts and energies your way.

[morea]

I'm terribly sorry to hear it, D-Frag. I don't have any good advice - my last layoff cost me my house, and I underwent sort of a "forced relocation." I'll let you know how that works out once I know it myself.

You do excellent work, and you have experience, so I'm really hoping that you can find something that you like quickly. Don't let the job loss mess with your self-esteem.

Check with your local unemployment center to see if they offer any sort of networking meetings, helpful classes, or anything like that. Check with your local chamber of commerce about networking for small businesses. Meet people. Be optimistic. Look into freelancing, if the opportunity presents itself.

Make getting a job your full-time job until you find something that you want. If you need somebody to look over your cover letters or resumes, I'd be happy to lend an extra set of eyes.

Hang in there, and don't let the situation get you down. Make a serious effort to stay positive, and look at this as an opportunity in disguise. I often take comfort in this quote by philosopher Soren Kierkegaard:

“Life must be understood backward, but it must be lived forward.”

I don't know if that helps any, but I am sending positive vibes your way.
(((HUGS)))

[MyST]

It's a scary situation for sure. However, it's also an opportunity opening itself up for you. Try to see it that way and put your energy into taking this time to find something you like, whether that's in design or something else.

Take a few days to absorb what's happened, and get a game plan going. Lot's of possibilities mentioned by others... explore those ideas.

Go get 'em!

[frankster]

So sorry about the job Dfrag! That's pants news. My husband lost his dream job with his dream company with no warning this week last year, when the company folded. It was a very stressful and worrying time, so you have my sympathy. We thought we were going to have to leave the US, but it turns out that some storm clouds do have sliver linings and he's got a job now with a company that makes him grin from ear to ear. I've got my fingers crossed that you find your silver lining too. :)

P.S. Don't feel bad about changing career if you want to. I did it. Went from physics to GD. Realising that there's more than one thing you can make a living at enriches you and builds your confidence. Change careers a few times and It'll make you a very very interesting old person, that's for sure.

[budafist]

That does suck. At least you have great experience to move onto something else.

Have you considered setting up on your own or with some of the other staff that have been let go? If your old company is letting go of half their staff, they might have to let go of half their clients too.

[Riya]

Ah that sucks! Hang in there. Drop your resume off at the big ad agencies anyway.