by Valerie Jimenez, Graphic Designer
I just came back from Orlando, and as oddly as it could sound, Disney World wasn’t exactly my traveling destination. Being a “wanna-be fashionista” it was kind of awkward to find myself packing my laptop and business cards way before my hair dryer and my new pair of violet pumps, still they both managed to get inside my luggage after all.
Orlando is a cool traveling destination, but it was not the destination that made me so excited about this trip. It was the reason for heading to the west coast– The “Create Chaos 2008” Creative Suite Conference. For people that are not familiar with the graphics industry, heading to this conference would be the equivalent of a computer programmer traveling to meet Bill Gates – It was a big deal, to me at least.
Just as expected I spent two whole days learning everything I could about all the tips and tricks on how to be more efficient with the industry software, how to improve productivity by establishing better processes, and exchanging opinions and interesting points of view with other creatives in the industry. I felt like a kid in a candy shop for as long as the conference lasted, running around the halls and excitedly engaging in every activity there was.
As I was on my way back, there were a lot of things going through my head. First of all, I couldn’t wait to go back to the office and apply my knowledge into the “real-life scenarios”. I found myself thinking numerous of times of how my life would’ve been so much easier if I knew about x or y trick or tip that they showed us during the conference. I was suddenly feeling a lot more motivated and re-energized, and it really reminded me of how much I love what I do.
Everyday situations such as work stress and personal problems can easily distract you from remembering how passionate you are about what you do. Going back to training can really get those positive vibes going all over again, transforming them into a win-win situation. You are a happier person, which will translate into you being more efficient in your workplace. Your employer will then be much happier with your work, and you will feel better accomplished in what you truly enjoy most.
My advice to others wanting to get educated is to ask for it. As an employee, it is sometimes intimidating to stand in front of your boss and ask for him or her to train you, but if we don’t ask for it, then nobody will be able to guess our needs and wants. After all, it is in your best interest to learn whatever you can and adjust to a changing environment as much as possible. It will make you a more competitive and educated professional, which will translate into more competitive corporations.
