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tri_sarah_tops


Marc Jacobs

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career change/web design questions
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I have a Bachelor's in business admin and am currently working as an executive assistant.  It's not awful or anything, but it's definitely not the job for me.  For anyone who's familiar with MBIT, I am an INFP with a VERY, VERY strong P preference.  I've done well so far, but my boss totally relies on me to keep her organized and together, while my tendancy is to be super unorganized and scattered.  Everything this job requires just goes against my nature and I'm looking for a better fit. 

I'd like to do something creative, that allows for autonomy.  In my current job, I'm responsible for the editing, design, and publication of a couple of different newsletters and reviews, and also design and publish flyers for employee activities, etc.  I love doing this, and it's really the only aspect of my job that brings me enjoyment and satisfaction.  I'm also quite technical, and after doing some researching and thinking, I've decided that I'd like to get into web design. 

I don't have any experience in this field, so education would be required.  The Art Institute offers an online Bachelor's in web design and interactive media, which I'm considering.  However, I already have a Bachelor's degree, so I'm not sure if I need another, or if I'd be better off with certificate programs.  I'd really prefer to take classes online.  I work full time, have a toddler, and try to hit the gym at least five times a week so I really don't have time to go to an actual classroom, but I need to make a change. 

Can anyone give advice on design education in general, or on the Art Institute?  Is it a good school?  It's crazy expensive and I dont want to waste thousands of dollars on a degree that won't be taken seriously.  I'd also like to hear what anyone has to share about working in web design or other creative fields.  TIA, I really appreciate it!

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kenzie


Chanel

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One of my coworkers is getting his Bachelor's degree online from the Art Institute. He's in the graphic design program and from what he says and what I've seen of his program, it's a good school. I also have a friend who is a web designer and she has an Associate's from the Art Institute (she went to a campus, though.)

I work in advertising (design and writing) and I'm currently pursuing an MFA in integrated design (web, multimedia, print.) The field is getting more and more competitive and designers not only need experience, but they need advanced degrees to back it up. My previously mentioned coworker originally only had an Associate's and he decided that in order to advance he needed to get a Bachelor's (and he's planning on an MFA after that.)

All of that said, an associate's would be preferable over a certificate. However, if you already have a bachelor's, it would probably take the same amount of time to get a second BA as it would to get the AA, as long as the college waived gen. ed. requirements (which I'm sure they would.)

Good luck and feel free to ask me any other questions.



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tri_sarah_tops


Marc Jacobs

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Kenzie, thanks for the help! I've decided to definitely go with a Bachelor's program (probably eventually a Master's) and am looking in to online options offered by public schools. If I can't find anything as good as the Art Institute, I'll go with that, but I'd like to avoid paying over $400 a credit hour, especially since I still have debt from my first B
Bachelor's. Thanks again, I'm sure I'll have more questions for you as I get a bit further into the process.

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subwolley


Kate Spade

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I currently work in graphic design, but my bachelor's degree was in art studio. From what I hear about the Art Institute, it's more on the expensive side. Does your university offer an continuing education where you can get a design certificate? My university does and it's cheaper than going to AI and they have great classes. Also I do love online classes. I've taken them before. If you think online classes are for you, I say go for it.

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Dizzy


Marc Jacobs

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Posts: 2130
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You sound like a good fit with the DC nonprofit world. Is a move something you'd want? What's the market like where you are?

And how much of a return will you see from the online classes? Is this common in your field?

-- Edited by Dizzy at 23:14, 2008-02-12

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