Hi!

[QuadoDuece Pro.]

Hi,
I am new here and would like to introduce myself. My name is Mandy and I am currently employed full time as a prepress person, but am trying to get more involved with the more "graphic" design. I am doing an internship with a company called QuadoDuece production in my spare time to help me gain some design experience. I have my Associate of Applied Science Degree, and so far in my experience, employers dont seem to give people with just an AAS a chance regardless of their experience. I was wondering if any one else has had this problem? What can I do to get over this hurdle. (besides go back to schoool, cause financialy its not an option right now) Does any one have any suggestions for me?
Thanks!

[morea]

Hi Mandy, welcome to the forum!

It can be very hard to land a job in this field with or without a degree... it's a common problem. Working in prepress is a good way to get some experience under your belt and to learn some things that will make you an even more effective designer.

When you get a few moments, I'd recommend a look over our frequently discussed topics (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=33048) thread, which contains a wealth of information about job searching, experience and education, and more. Do take a few moments to look over the other threads (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42) posted in that section, too.

And while you are working in prepress, you may enjoy this poem that a friend of mine emailed me when I was in your shoes... it hung in my cubicle throughout my stay there:

Last night as I lay sleeping, I died, or so it seemed.
And then I went to heaven, but only in my dream.
Up there St. Peter met me standing at the pearly gate.
He said "I'll check your record. Please stand here and please wait".
"I see that you drank alcohol and smoked a smoke or two.
Fact is, you've done everything good people shouldn't do.
We can't have folks like you up here! Your life was full of sin."
But then he read the last line, took my hand and said "Come in".
He led me to the big boss and said "Take him in and treat him well.
He used to work in Printing. He's done his time in hell."

:D

[QuadoDuece Pro.]

LOL!! Thanks Morea!

[Two-Toe Tom]

welcome to the forum mandy! :)

[Red Kittie Kat]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/baconwelcome.gif

Welcome Aboard :)

[Ben Kessler]

Mandy, welcome!

[Typically]

howdys! man everywhere i look there is bacon.... and i love it!!!!!!!

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmao Typ ... now that's my idea of heaven ... bacon everywhere :D