Career Path or Career Tree?
Author of this post: Matthew T Grant | About Blog Authors »
It seems like every time I ask an established creative professional if they have any advice for the up-and-comers, they tell me, “Take whatever work comes your way. You never know where it’s going to lead.”
I believe they offer this advice because, as the Clash used to say, “The future is unwritten.”
The future in which you pursue a design career is open - “unwritten” - and your choices and actions determine the ultimate shape of this future. “The future is unwritten” also means that, no matter how much you plan, you don’t know what’s going to happen down the road.
Try out as many different projects and roles as you can when you have the chance. The seemingly random work that you land “through connections,” or that is assigned to you as a “junior” designer, will determine the type of designer you become.
Careers don’t flow like paths; they grow like trees. There’s no telling when a new opportunity will branch into an unexpected and rewarding future.
April 15th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Professional networking follows the same concept - like a tree.
Be sincere and generous to everyone you meet. And don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Networking is about developing real relationships with people - no quid pro quo crap as some jerks may act. If you follow this advice, your work and personal life will be greatly enriched.