A New Opportunity - Update!

Almost 2 months ago, I posted about getting and accepting a new job opportunity. I gave my 2 weeks notice shortly afterwards and I got an interesting reaction: "Why didn't she do it sooner?" It may seem negative in that context but it was more like reacting to me finally leaving since my position has been admittedly getting stagnant. I worked in different departments and gained enough experience to do different things outside of my department but in the end, it was still a customer service position... or whichever department I would be thrown into (i.e. receptionist, administrative assistant, shipping, etc). Don't get me wrong, it was a good and steady job but I realized it was my time to leave, especially with the fact that I was nearing my 7th year of doing the same thing **cough** with no raise **cough**. 

On my last day, after I was thrown a not-so-surprise party and got a card from my fellow co-workers and supervisors wishing me well, I cried -- IN MY CAR, NOT IN FRONT OF THEM LOL. I was crying because I didn't really realize how much I contributed to the company (I was told that 2 or 3 other people would have to take over my job and, well, do their job) and that I was finally leaving to do something new.

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So how did I come across this new job opportunity? The way I found and applied for the job position was very, well, cyberstalker-ish and something I don't want to share unless I was personally asked. Sure, I'll make it sound funny but it's still some form of cyberstalking O_O Not to mention that I completely bombed the initial phone interview and second interview (OMG MATH QUESTIONS). I didn't have any connections or knew anyone at the company. I was obviously lacking the skills needed to qualify for the position. And yet, I got a formal offer. I accepted for the position of.... wait for it... graphic designer. Honestly, this was a big deal for me. I finally get to do something creative and artistic! But... I was also over my head.

I was under the impression that I would be working alongside an art director with a small team. NOPE. It was all me and I was given a lot of tasks to fulfill. There were also 2 things that I dreaded doing; Photography and Illustrator. I 'm kicking myself for not taking any interest in Photography - considering that my last job is in the freaking' Photography industry - since I got so comfortable with using my little point-and-shoot and I had this paralyzing fear that me handling an expensive DSLR camera would result in an expensive broken DSLR camera. Worse, I had to handle a Nikon and I barely know how to hold a Canon properly. Meanwhile, Illustrator was a program that I barely used since I got away with making vector-like images in Photoshop with the Pen Tool and Paths at my last job. I can safely say that after a month of forcing myself to learn both, I ended up getting used to it. I can't believe how much I could do in Illustrator! And I can hold a camera properly!

This is the shirt I designed for the company, which was given out today during our early Christmas party. I never thought I could make that design so easily in Illustrator. I'm also inspired by the message we put underneath the robot: "Push." This is a different industry to be in and a much different culture to work in. So I have to push myself and show them what I made of! At least until I pass the probation period!