Plans for After SMCC

I am not completely positive about what I will be doing after SMCC. I know I want to get my bachelors in Fine Art. Considering that I am currently in the process of buying a house I think MECA would be the better fit for pursuing more school. It seems to have a very well rounded design program, with interesting classes such as type design, which is something I really feel I need to get a better grasp of. However I know that they are an art school, so I want to get a good technical base here at SMCC before I graduate and will not have easy access to classes such as Audio and Video Engineering.
I am also interested in Boston University’s Center for digital imaging, and the Pasadena School of Design, however the long distance would require me to find a new home and say goodbye to my current job which pays not much but just enough to keep me from going anywhere else.

I have always worked and gone to school at the same time, it drives me crazy but there is just no other way for me to go to school. So most likely after I graduate I will try and dive into the work force while pursuing my BFA. I want an entry level full time position in marketing such as a “Program Assistant” at IDEXX (where I currently work as a Manufacturing worker.) See the “program assistant” job posting below. In addition to getting a full time position more in line with my career path, I will be working as a freelancer and trying to start my own business “Black Rabbit Media.”
Hopefully by the time I have graduated with my BFA from MECA I will have some corporate experience under my belt and know the rules of the game so I can then break them in my own business. I WANT “Black Rabbit Media “ to be professional, but at the same time, I want my clients to feel that they are dealing with intelligent down to earth people, skilled in their trade, but not a big, corporation.


Program Assistant
Internal: No Grade 200 (about 32,000a year)
Job Title: Program Assistant
City: Westbrook
State: ME
Job Summary: IDEXX Reference Laboratories is seeking a motivated Program Assistant with strong organizational skills to support the Marketing team. This is a great entry level marketing position with strong growth opportunity.

This position is responsible for tracking and fulfilling tactical projects and service programs. Must be able to work both independently and on multi-departmental teams.

Qualifications: EDUCATION: Four-year college degree in business, marketing or science preferred.

EXPERIENCE: 0 - 2 years relevant work experience (reviewed in conjunction with education history)

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Strong computer skills - MS Office - Word, Excel and database experience.
Teamwork
Communication skills
Integrity, responsiveness, drive and initiative
Ability to multi-task
Strong analytical ability
Strong organization skills
Ability to prioritize
Ability to work in teams and interact with multiple levels of management and functional departments.
Ability to devise tracking systems and efficient reporting and communication of results


Here is my Cover Letter for the Job Opening

09/30/09
IDEXX Laboratories
Marketing Dept.
Rachel #######,

I have sent you my resume to be considered for the current opening of “Program Assistant” in the marketing department. I was referred to you by the intradexx job posting section.

I would like to take a moment and tell you a little about myself. I am a full time college student at SMCC, enrolled in the “Communications and New Media Program”, my field of concentrated study is Graphic and Web Design. After completion of my Associates degree, I plan to attend Maine College of Art, or University of Southern Maine to obtain a Bachelors degree also in Graphic Design.

I have worked at IDEXX since August of 2006. I am currently working for Larry Pritchard on the new instrument Catalyst DX. Working on a new product with a great team is extremely exciting; however I would love the opportunity to move up within the company.

I am an advanced user of computers, and learn new software very quickly. I am very organized, with great attention to detail. I have grasped the concept of adequate documentation standards in accordance to ISO.

I am very excited about this opening! I look forward to meeting you for an interview.

Sincerely,

Emily L Jackson
## #### St Apt. ###
Portland Me. ####
###.###.####

Here is my resume for the job opening.


## #### St. Apt ### •Portland, Maine. ####
Phone 207.###.#### • E-mail: ########@gmail.com
Emily L. Jackson

Objective
To use organizational skills, computer experience and analytical skills can help improve the productivity of the company, and meet the needs of customers.

Skills / abillities
Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite CS3/CS4. (Photoshop, In Design, Illustrator and Adobe Dream weaver.)
Proficient in Ms Office Suite. (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Visio.)
Strong foundation in 3D animation with Autodesk’s Maya.
Excellent analytical, organizational, time management and multi-tasking abilities.
Superb phone etiquette.
Proper Knowledge of Design Elements
Basic Knowledge of SAP.


Work experience
Oct. 2005 – May 2006 Sears Holding Portland, Maine
In Store Advertisement Marketing
Place ads mark price tags up or down, place merchandise on the sales floor according to floor plans.
Help customers easily locate merchandise.

Oct. 2004 – July 2006 Bumble Bee Quilt Works Waterboro, Maine
Sales Clerk/ Inventory Specialist
Counted stock for inventory, maintained displays.
Provided helpful customer service.


Sept. 2006 - Sept 2007 IDEXX Laboratories Westbrook, Maine
Plate Coating Tech. I Production Animal Services
Set up and run all necessary equipment to manufacture product, in a fast paced self directed environment.
Follow and fill in documentation associated with coating tasks in accordance with ISO standards.
Enter final data in to spreadsheet, charge of labor and finished product through SAP.

Nov. 2007 - Current New England Booking Portland, Maine
Graphic Designer
§ Design materials to assist in promotion of local music events.
§ Photograph, and print the live acts for use on web and other promotional materials.
§ Partner with Web designer to create a consistent standard of design between web and print promotion.

Sept. 2007 - Current IDEXX Laboratories Westbrook, Maine
Production Spec II Catalyst Dx
Complete cross-training requirements and demonstrate proficiency in performing related manufacturing processes.
Update and follow all documentation and work instructions.
Identify problems, assist in routine problem solving and troubleshooting of equipment.
Complete all manufacturing related documentation accurately.
Test and inspect product, notify supervisor immediately of any problems.

Feb. 2009 - June 2009 Phoenix Media Communications Portland, Maine
Graphic Design Production Intern
### ##### # ### ##### # ##### # ##### # ##### #


Education
2000-2005 Massabesic High School Waterboro, Maine
General Studies
Varsity letter for performance in M.H.S band.
Gold Service star
2005 – 2007 S.M.C.C Portland , Maine
General Studies

2007-Current S.M.C.C Portland, Maine
Communications and New Media (Graphic and Web design)



Professional Referances
§ Keith Nassif, IDEXX laboratories, R&D Engineer.
1 IDEXX Dr, Westbrook ME. ###.###.####

§ Mike Lude, IDEXX laboratories, Sr Automation Tech.
1 IDEXX Dr, Westbrook ME. ###.###.####

§ Jacob Simcock, New England Booking. Promoter/sole Proprietor.
P.O Box 10072 Portland, Me. ###.###.####

§ Larry Pritchard, IDEXX Laboratories, Supervisor
1 IDEXX Dr, Westbrook, Me. ###.###.####





Here is another job posting at IDEXX, it’s a grade 700, so probably pays around 80k on the low end. To get this job, and fulfill its qualifications, I would be like 50+ years old! I have other goals for my life by then and hopefully will not still be a slave to the corporate machine. That is definitely not where I want to be at that point of my life, great job excellent pay, but not for me.

JOB TITLE: Sr Graphic Designer
PREPARED BY: HR Compensation
DATE PREPARED: 07/2006
JOB CODE: 20000847 GRADE: 700 EXEMPTION STATUS: Exempt
JOB CATEGORY: Marketing - Communications

JOB SUMMARY: As a Senior Graphic Designer, you have fully developed and honed your formal and conceptual skills and are passionate about design. You subscribe to the highest standards of professional and creative endeavor. You are proactive, intensely curious and energized by a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Finally, you are a person with outstanding communication and interpersonal skills who is comfortable guiding and mentoring junior staff members.

In this role you will investigate communication design problems to generate solutions that challenge convention yet solve strategic business initiatives. You must function independently within a collaborative environment to provide visual leadership in support of strategic communication directions.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Designing and Developing Concepts
• Develop corporate brand-driven identity systems, advertising templates, web design architecture and other marketing communications collateral that support strategic direction with conceptual and technical skills
• Develop design standards for team of designers and implement and provide input for specific accounts/projects
• Create and/or present design concepts and maintain ongoing dialogue during creative development; help plan and coordinate client presentations
• Partner with Web content team to creation with
• Uphold creative standards as established by team and maintain ongoing dialogue during creative development with team leaders
• Dialogue with clients and present work clearly and passionately

Project Management
• Effectively attend to details and manage time to assure projects are
completed by deadlines
• Maintain responsibility for managing your own and your design team’s scheduling
and budget for multiple assigned projects

Leadership and Team Relations
• Willingly provide, receive and assess feedback from all team members and
determine action
• Develop and maintain open, productive and mutually beneficial working relations
with team members
• Provide guidance as necessary to designers and production staff to reach
IDEXX visual standards


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
You must possess a complete understanding of sophisticated information design, comprehensive typography, content creation, semiotics and visual language systems. Also required is the proven ability
to think conceptually and to translate brand positioning strategy into fully integrated print and interactive design solutions.

You must be able to make decisions, take action and be comfortable working both independently and as part of a collaborative team effort. Leadership or mentoring experience and ability are also necessary, as well as self-motivation and self-confidence. You must possess superior interpersonal communication skills and be able to articulate and educate design rationale to both internal and external audiences, as well as be willing to provide and receive feedback from all team members.

EDUCATION: A bachelor’s degree in graphic design is also preferred.

EXPERIENCE: You must have 10+ years of professional graphic design experience in an agency or as a member of a marketing or internal communications department.