college degree?

I’m interested in the graphics design end of webpages, but I don’t have much experience. I’ve looked on monster.com at certain requirements, and most businesses ask for a college degree in design or computer science. Could I bypass going back to school and gain experience on my own for a job in this field or do I need to go back to school?

If you’re looking for an entry-level job–which you’ll find a lot of at Monster–then most likely, employers will look for a college degree. They want to see that you have what it takes to stick it out through school.

If you’re already experienced and looking for a job that’s not entry-level, your experience and portfolio will be what’s important–not your college background.

—
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"Tacit" wrote in message

I’m interested in the graphics design end of webpages, but I don’t have much experience. I’ve looked on monster.com at certain requirements, and most businesses ask for a college degree in design or computer science. Could I bypass going back to school and gain experience on my own for a job in this field or do I need to go back to school?

If you’re looking for an entry-level job–which you’ll find a lot of at Monster–then most likely, employers will look for a college degree. They

want

to see that you have what it takes to stick it out through school.
If you’re already experienced and looking for a job that’s not

entry-level,

your experience and portfolio will be what’s important–not your college background.

—
Biohazard? Radiation hazard? SO last-century.
Nanohazard T-shirts now available! http://www.villaintees.com Art, literature, shareware, polyamory, kink, and more:
http://www.xeromag.com/franklin.html

I agree with this.

I had been a Network Admin for years before getting into design and I had no college – Military and tech school, though – and I got a design job which I’ve had for 4 years now and my pay has been competitive. However, I do attend many design seminars, Photoshop clinics, Photoshop World Conferences, which has help a lot – not only to gain more knowledge but to also keep my salary competitive.

IMO you must always thirst for knowledge and do what it takes to keep up with the technology. I have tons of books and magazines related to not only design using PS but also Illustrator, InDesign, etc. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money.

Also being a member of the NAPP has helped me as well.

Would college have helped? Most likely but don’t fall under the spell that you can’t get anywhere without college – you CAN, however, it will probably take you longer than if you had the schooling.

I believe that you can do whatever you want to do as long as 1) you are passionate about the subject and 2) you work hard for it.

From: "Brooklyn NYC"

Also being a member of the NAPP has helped me as well.

Just curious, how has membership in NAPP helped?

"Bill Hilton" wrote in message

From: "Brooklyn NYC"

Also being a member of the NAPP has helped me as well.

Just curious, how has membership in NAPP helped?

Their magazine = Photoshop User is a worth of info – of course you can get it from B&N if you wish.

2) They have free video (and print) tutorials people like Bert Monroy, Deke McClelland, Jim DiVitale, Peter Bauer, and others in the industry that you can’t get from their own sites. Also, members can submit tutorials.

3) They also have a great 24 hr. help desk – if you get stuck with a project and you send it to them they will analyze it and come back – usually within a few hours – with detailed instructions on how to achieve what you are trying to do – of course, if it’s possible. To be honest it’s 100% better than using the ng’s for help or info.

4) Also, since they sponsor PhotoshopWorld Conference all NAPP members earn Continuing Education Units for attending the classes.

5) They have their own Job Center and Member Gallery. I have actually received calls from companies that searched the Job Center and galleries.

I have gained more knowledge using the NAPPs tools then any other medium. Don’t underestimate the power of affiliations – I have friends who belong to the American Institute of Graphic Arts who have told me that affiliations help. But of course, if you have no idea what you are doing nothing is really going to help. I joined the NAPP only because I thought it would be an asset as anything that you can find in order to learn is and it has been nothing less.

On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 19:22:33 GMT, "Brooklyn NYC" wrote:

"Bill Hilton" wrote in message

From: "Brooklyn NYC"

Also being a member of the NAPP has helped me as well.

Just curious, how has membership in NAPP helped?

Their magazine = Photoshop User is a worth of info – of course you can get it from B&N if you wish.

2) They have free video (and print) tutorials people like Bert Monroy, Deke McClelland, Jim DiVitale, Peter Bauer, and others in the industry that you can’t get from their own sites. Also, members can submit tutorials.
3) They also have a great 24 hr. help desk – if you get stuck with a project and you send it to them they will analyze it and come back – usually within a few hours – with detailed instructions on how to achieve what you are trying to do – of course, if it’s possible. To be honest it’s 100% better than using the ng’s for help or info.

4) Also, since they sponsor PhotoshopWorld Conference all NAPP members earn Continuing Education Units for attending the classes.

5) They have their own Job Center and Member Gallery. I have actually received calls from companies that searched the Job Center and galleries.
I have gained more knowledge using the NAPPs tools then any other medium. Don’t underestimate the power of affiliations – I have friends who belong to the American Institute of Graphic Arts who have told me that affiliations help. But of course, if you have no idea what you are doing nothing is really going to help. I joined the NAPP only because I thought it would be an asset as anything that you can find in order to learn is and it has been nothing less.

Shame there’s no NAPP in the UK.

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui

"Hecate" wrote in message

On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 19:22:33 GMT, "Brooklyn NYC" wrote:

"Bill Hilton" wrote in message

From: "Brooklyn NYC"

Also being a member of the NAPP has helped me as well.

Just curious, how has membership in NAPP helped?

Their magazine = Photoshop User is a worth of info – of course you can

get

it from B&N if you wish.

2) They have free video (and print) tutorials people like Bert Monroy,

Deke

McClelland, Jim DiVitale, Peter Bauer, and others in the industry that

you

can’t get from their own sites. Also, members can submit tutorials.
3) They also have a great 24 hr. help desk – if you get stuck with a

project

and you send it to them they will analyze it and come back – usually

within

a few hours – with detailed instructions on how to achieve what you are trying to do – of course, if it’s possible. To be honest it’s 100% better than using the ng’s for help or info.

4) Also, since they sponsor PhotoshopWorld Conference all NAPP members

earn

Continuing Education Units for attending the classes.

5) They have their own Job Center and Member Gallery. I have actually received calls from companies that searched the Job Center and galleries.
I have gained more knowledge using the NAPPs tools then any other medium. Don’t underestimate the power of affiliations – I have friends who belong

to

the American Institute of Graphic Arts who have told me that affiliations help. But of course, if you have no idea what you are doing nothing is really going to help. I joined the NAPP only because I thought it would

be

an asset as anything that you can find in order to learn is and it has

been

nothing less.

Shame there’s no NAPP in the UK.

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui

Not true == the NAPP has members worldwide. Go to
http://www.photoshopuser.com

On Thu, 24 Jun 2004 13:19:05 GMT, "Brooklyn NYC" wrote:

Shame there’s no NAPP in the UK.

Not true == the NAPP has members worldwide. Go to
http://www.photoshopuser.com

Oh? I thought the N stood for National as in US National.

Thanks, I’ll go and take a look. 🙂

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui

"Hecate" wrote in message

On Thu, 24 Jun 2004 13:19:05 GMT, "Brooklyn NYC" wrote:

Shame there’s no NAPP in the UK.

Not true == the NAPP has members worldwide. Go to
http://www.photoshopuser.com

Oh? I thought the N stood for National as in US National.
Thanks, I’ll go and take a look. 🙂

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui

It does stand for "National" but I was told by their help desk that they have worldwide membership. I was a little confused by that as well. Check them out anyway, it couldn’t hurt.

"Brooklyn NYC" wrote in message

"Hecate" wrote in message

On Thu, 24 Jun 2004 13:19:05 GMT, "Brooklyn NYC" wrote:

Shame there’s no NAPP in the UK.

Not true == the NAPP has members worldwide. Go to
http://www.photoshopuser.com

Oh? I thought the N stood for National as in US National.
Thanks, I’ll go and take a look. 🙂

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, reliqui

It does stand for "National" but I was told by their help desk that they have worldwide membership. I was a little confused by that as well. Check them out anyway, it couldn’t hurt.

It’s $149 for International Membership – mostly for shipping costs of the Photoshop User mag. But they do except International Orders.

On Fri, 25 Jun 2004 00:30:16 GMT, "Brooklyn NYC" wrote:

It’s $149 for International Membership – mostly for shipping costs of the Photoshop User mag. But they do except International Orders.

Thanks 🙂

—

Hecate

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