Yearly Reflection

This year marked a turning point in my life. As a 2023 college graduate, I spent the first year after graduation applying for jobs and updating my portfolio with little response. 

Am I even talented? Why didn’t I go for a more traditionally stable career? Did I waste my time, money, and energy at art school for no payoff? With each job rejection (moreover, lack of response), I questioned myself more. 

My dream in high school, when I chose this path, was a shoebox apartment in NYC with a steady income from a mixture of commissioned work and an in-house design job. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with working a customer service job; money is money at the end of the day. But each week I received my schedule, I lost hope. I even felt embarrassed telling people I already graduated when they asked if I was a student. 

I looked into other career paths, if not to escape my customer-service predicament. I rationalized my thoughts and choked my dreams down. There are enough artists out there. Why would the world need me?

My career and dreams were reborn this year. One part was meeting Joe, having a steady stream of projects and assignments gave me motivation. Each project allowed me to explore new techniques and perspectives. Another part was going through my childhood belongings, most of which were paintings and drawings. I remembered why I fell in love with this, why I dreamed, and why I dared to choose my dreams above all. 

As the book approaches release, I am excited about new opportunities ahead. I have more projects and job opportunities lined up in 2026. Now I know this is the right path for me, no matter how many challenges are ahead.