Like a Glove
I graduated TCU with a BFA, Honors and a childlike sense of wonder. My 1990s upbringing taught me that I “can be anything I want to be!”, but post-recession logic put a damper on that dream real fast. Post-grad life can be hard when you’re looking for a job. You are stuck in limbo of not being experienced enough in the field, yet being over-qualified for at least half the positions you interview for. I dreaded the reality of having to work a job without passion or interest, just to make ends meet. This is the reality most postgraduates face today. Sesame Street was wrong. We have to be whatever pays the bills.
Walking into Ilfusion was like a breath of fresh air. Typical corporate outfits and stuffy fluorescent lighting were replaced by brightly colored sofas and custom programmed arcade games. I was given the most constructive feedback on my portfolio compared to any other agency visit, and yet had never been more comfortable with receiving criticism from a professional. I applied for an internship on a hunch, hoping to get experience points as I continued my job search. I didn’t have to look far, though. I was hired on 2 weeks into my internship.
Being in the Ilfusion office rekindled that childhood dream of mine. I was in an environment that not only challenged me, but also made me realize what the right choice is supposed to feel like. Almost like finding the perfect wedding dress, or your first car. Not only was I genuinely contributing, but my voice was heard.
I believe that life is not measured in money. It is not measured by the number of trophies or accomplishments or recognition. Life is about happiness. We only get a short amount of time on this Earth, and I had vowed not to spend half of my life working a job I hated just because it paid the bills. Working at Ilfusion proved to me that the childhood dream is still alive. Work doesn’t feel like work, but more like professional-level problem solving with my team, my friends. The Ilfusion crew makes every day worth seizing, because their energy, enthusiasm and experience in the field make for a wonderful environment for a budding designer such as myself.
It has been a little over a month now and I have gone from a jaded, unemployed post-grad, to enthusiastic intern, to Production Manager. My voice carries here. I can make a difference. This is something that I had thought was extinct: the perfect fit.
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