Workin Sucks

[Jokoso]

I think I saw a thread like this way back but just outta curiousity who else works on these here boards and where?

I am a lowly Night Stock worker at the local lowes store...

Make...9.38

.38 cents was my merit raise for being such a good worker...

JKS

[CS]

be glad you're working.

[statezero]

i wear a blue vest with a smiely face on the back! oh and i get about 9.15/hr...

[Chris Piers]

I actually really like my job. I do illustration and graphic design for an association/life insurance company/bank. I draw soldiers and buildings and this cartoon eagle family. I've produced a few brochures, posters, flyers and folders for them. A lot of PageMaker/PhotoShop/Illustrator/Flash stuff. But the variety is there and I get to draw and design so I'm really happy.

I worked some real crap jobs in my time too so that I could just pay the rent and used just about all my free time writing and drawing and doing freelance work so that I could continually build my portfolio and move into a job like the one I have now. I also worked a lot of more business oriented jobs which paid well and used my marketing education from college but definitely the more business stuff and hardly any of the creative skills. It takes time but I wouldn't change any of the past because it brought me to where I am now.

And working on comics has never been closer. I can say no more right now but I am 80% sure I'll be doing comics and this job by this time next year.

My advice? Do what you need to to pay the bills but be diligent about managing your time so that you can draw or write or whatever it is you want to do ultimately. Figure out a long-term plan and work towards it. It totally works in the long run.

[edit] I should probably explain some of the crap jobs. I've worked in a warehouse doing nothing but moving boxes from spot A to spot B. I've worked at Toys R Us putting tags on the baby carriages and getting the bikes up and down from their racks. I've temped in a million different companies answering phones and doing grunt work. I've worked as a clerk at Walgreens, been in landscaping, child care, newspaper delivery, bartening (actually not a bad job at all) and worked plenty of jobs for free just to develop a portfolio. But every job you can take SOMETHING away from, whether it's prioritizing tasks, or learning how to deal with various personality types or hopefully skills that you can implement in your desired career.

College helped too. [/edit]

[harmonix]

I work as an instructional designer and director of digital media for a major university’s distance learning program.

What the hell is that?

Let’s say one of you wanted to create an on-line distance education course about drawing comics. You would be the “content expert” because you know a lot about drawing, but you might not know much about creating a course, learning theories, how to asses (write tests) and what technologies you could use so the students could learn what you have to teach.

That’s where I would come in. I work with faculty to take their ideas and produce (with my staff) effective learning objects (animations, video clips, games, yadda, yadda).

I love my job! I won’t post what I make, but I will say that I’ve gone to more school then I care to admit to get this gig, but it was worth it.

[statezero]

so what kind of stuff did you have in your portfolio chris? cause i kinda want to get into what your doing, having a 9 - 5 job, while working on freelance and what not on the side!

[Chris Piers]

In my portfolio I had some magazine ads, flyers, brochures and business cards I'd created for clients like a pet sitting business, a bunch of independent films, a non-profit puppy rescue league and that. And two or three pieces of artwork that I'd done of a non-superhero nature. Combined with my computer skills, bachelor's degree in business/marketing and a few years of professional work experience I was able to make the shift in careers.

I takes more art classes to move into the creative side of advertising or I'm sure it's not as hard to secure a position in an actual printing company. Don't know for sure, but... yeah.

[xadrian]

Now, quality assurance, testing software for a stock trading company.

Past jobs: Security, customer service and archives for TCI Cable. Beta tested the digital boxes for them as well, that was lame, watching TV all day. Not as cool as it sounds. Crappiest job I've ever had was UPS as a loader. 3-4 hours a night, busting ass in either a trailer that was 100°F or 15°F (Colorado) Good pay, jerk boss, lousy conditions.

I do my best to sketch at work, but nothing I'm doing 9-5 is perfecting my craft, unless I ever consider being an editor.

[Justice41]

I own my own Illustration company and work whenever I feel like it and can make as much as I can crank out in a given year. I can pull in 8o grand after taxes and all the supply and cost of running a business. My partner is the sales person and we split everything fitty fitty.
My advise work for yourself, even if your working for someone else, because in reality we all do. Another piece of advice, make yourself the most important employee in whatever business your in. Hard work always is appreciated, no matter how little.

[Digital Klown]

Originally posted by Justice41
I own my own Illustration company and work whenever I feel like it and can make as much as I can crank out in a given year. I can pull in 8o grand after taxes and all the supply and cost of running a business. My partner is the sales person and we split everything fitty fitty.
My advise work for yourself, even if your working for someone else, because in reality we all do. Another piece of advice, make yourself the most important employee in whatever business your in. Hard work always is appreciated, no matter how little.

Nice. Very inspiring story man. I've been thinking of setting up my own business ever since college. I'm seriously considering it now that I've graduated and I'm still unemployed. A friend of mine has also expressed interest in partnering up. Hopefully, I can get something started.