Knowing is half the battle...

I still remember a class gathering a while back where my ACJC classmate Steven thought I "designed factories" as an "Industrial Designer".

Good guess I suppose. But that isn't my point today. My point is that I graduated from a course that isn't well-known and as a consequence, we are extremely under-valued by the market. If you asked me if industrial design was useful, the answer (without a doubt) was "yes". It can be applied to so many areas of life but therein also lies its problem... 

"What do you design?"

"Erm. Everything???"

In a job scape that demands specialists, we are a fish out of water. Worse if you are an INTP - a "breadth" employee that does several things at once.

As knowing is half the battle, being known is also equally important. I won't lie now. It has been a real struggle being authentic. I wrote this a while back:

Present: I am still looking for a job that I would love. This job should allow me to keep myself alive, have a little left for savings and the occasional indulgence (Legos!). It should also excite me and help me grow better and more independent. Currently, I think I have reached some level of quality with Project Ebon-knee. I've just got to get my work out there before I can show the world all the other great stuff that is still dormant in my mind. Future A: I settled. I took a job which I did not care much about but could get. In a year's time, I am out of a job again. This time I am more desperate because of my age. I look back and wonder why I was not brave enough to try. Why did I not approach it wisely? I am financially insecure and discouraged. This is because I did not focus on building a second income stream. I used "tired" as an excuse. Gave whatever remained of my best years to some fucktard of a boss. Future B: I persisted. Despite being hungry and poor, I refused to compromise on my principles. I found a job that I absolutely loved and thrived in. And it opened up infinitely more doors for me. I strengthened my own fundamentals, getting faster and better at expressing my ideas. I had the counsel of other champions of the industry - people who knew how it worked. I grew financially secure. I became a well spring in the desert, giving the world one great idea after another. In time, I inspired others to do the same. I was good. And I was recognized for it. I remained humble and remembered my trials - I helped others who had the same aspirations succeed. And yes, I am in control.

At the time of writing this, I had no idea how hard it would be sticking to it (some times betraying myself totally). It has been crushing to my self-esteem. My mother is getting anxiety attacks (or getting fits) because I have gone so long without a job. But I need to stick to my guns. Losing some time getting on track is better than saying "F@#$ it, let's just go where this train brings us" and regret the destination for the rest of your life. Fight on my friend! I'm my own coach, trainer and friend now. Even if no one is with me. I won't blame anyone around me. I will stay the course and I have every intention of making it.