I understand how scary it is to be laid off since it happened to me when I was 24 . In my case however , I used it as a path to figure out where I wanted to live and what I wanted to do . Within two weeks I interviewed for and was offered several positions . I accepted one and moved to Los Angeles . Since I started my first company there , met my husband and got married there , had my son there , invented surgical devices and founded several other companies there , and loved living there for 15 years , I can honestly say , my being laid off ended up being a huge blessing . I believe the same can and will happen for you .
When I ask if it ? s in your best interest to stay in the graphic arts field , I get a YES . When I ask if it ? s in your best interest to stay in the newspaper graphic arts field , I also get a YES ? with a caveat . When I ask if it ? s in your best interest to broaden your scope to include non-newspaper graphics projects , once again I get a YES ( that ' s the caveat ). .
Now , some suggestions ?
In the short run , I ? got ? it may be a good idea for you to contemplate an online career . Everything is digital and there ? s no reason you can ? t work from home .
1 ) Look into becoming a freelance graphic artist on sites like Elance and Fiverr . It can bring in immediate income , get your name out there and perhaps lead to a permanent position somewhere .
2 ) Consider volunteering at a local high school , college , or university . You could share your knowledge with students who will most likely educate you on the newest trends in the world of graphics . This could create opportunities for you to network with adults and kids alike . And who knows , some of those kids may have parents and / or acquaintances
whose companies need your skills .
3 ) Listen to the Design Matters podcast by Debbie Millman . Debbie is an award-winning graphic artist and co-founder and professor at the School of Visual Arts in New York City . Tim Ferris says , ? She ? s designed everything from wrapping paper to beach towels , greeting cards to playing cards , notebooks to t-shirts and Star Wars merchandise to global Burger King rebrands .? I believe she has been involved with the packaging design of close to 20 % of the products found in most grocery stores .
Even though Debbie isn ? t a newspaper graphic artist , the fact she came to my mind when thinking of you tells me you ? ll glean ideas from listening to her show .
Julie Ryan , Psychic and Medical Intuitive , can be heard on The Law of Attraction Radio Network . The Ask Julie Ryan Show welcomes callers on Thursdays at 8pm ET , 7pm CT , 5pm PT . ( 712 ) 770-4160 Access Code : 533677 # For more information please go to www . askjulieryan . com . To Listen to her show , go to http :// LoaRadioNetwork . com / julie-ryan