While reading Nancy Duarte's recent book slide:ology, I came across the chapter where she talks about her experience with a life coach to discover the verbs for her life mission statement. I went ahead and reviewed the verbs she listed and wrote down the words that resonated with me the most. Those words were accomplish, believe, dream, lead, progress, realize and teach. I've been a self-professed workaholic for a long time, but those words really helped me sum up who I am as a person and a professional.
I had a father who told me I could do anything I put my mind to and I have always believed him. I dream big and I strive to accomplish and realize everything I set out to do. Leadership is written in my DNA, making progress in every area of my life is essential and for years, a passion of my heart has been to teach, or maybe it's just the Leo in me that loves to talk and tell people what to do :-) Nonetheless, one of my dreams has always been to be an adjunct professor so that I can mold minds and impact lives while staying active in the industry. During summer 2009, I had a great student intern who called me, "Yoda." It tickled me pink but I enjoyed mentoring him and seeing him grow over 8 weeks. It was confirmation that I need to be in the classroom.
Unlike most designers I know, I didn't grow up doodling in my notebooks. When trying to figure out the answer to the age old question of "What do you want to be when you grow up," I went through several phases in life from doctor to lawyer to family therapist. In high school, I learned that I had an artist inside of me (thanks Mr. Jarboe), so much so that I changed my major immediately to Photography once in college and a year later to Electronic Studio Art, which is basically a mix of media including web design, graphic design, photography and other media programs like Flash, video, and object-oriented scripting.
Fast forward several years and I find myself the principal of a budding design firm and I love it. It is one of the only careers that allows me to use both sides of my brain. I feel that I am uniquely fitted because I am equally comfortable designing and running business. My mind can plan, strategize and analyze, allowing me to really help my clients make good design decisions that can help them run their businesses better. While I'm not a family therapist, I still have strong passions for helping families and children and I can still do that through the type of organizations that my design firm works for, from non-profits that aid in adoption to working on reports that support the development of housing for workforce families. There is a certain joy that I find in being able to use my God-given talents to support great causes.
One cause strong on my heart is education. I believe education is valuable and I am set on making my mark in the design world by helping students realize their dreams. I look forward to being in the classroom helping students push their creative concepts and empowering them to excel in all areas of their lives.
