Life after college...

[Anarky]

So I finally got internet back after moving into my new apartment. I now live in the city of Glendale, California. I work as a web production artist for the Los Angeles News Group (specifically LA.com). Its a great job after college and I am surprised I am actually using my degree in Graphic Design and not doing something else.

I am technically freelance at my job, but they are finishing my paper work and making me an offer soon. I think they will be offering me $45,0000 but I am going to try bumping the offer to $50,000 after looking at a recent AIGA survey of people in my industry.

Its an interesting transition moving to a new area and not being in school. I am settling in and trying to figure out how to meet new people.

The best part is I will finally be able to put serious money towards finishing my Mustang, which is shaping up to be a very nice ride.

[Tessian]

glad to hear you're doing well man. Welcome back.

I'm now 1 year out of college... I got a job right away from the company I was interning at the previous year. One thing I recommend is what you're doing-- make sure you get the salary you deserve up front. My company low balled me on salary but I had little choice since my career path (Information Security) is VERY hard to get into and they sent me the offer too late to try to get a job elsewhere by then. Only now, after having proven I've turned my job (which was created for me) into a non-entry level job may I now get the salary I was supposed to have had from the start (55-60+). And apparently even doing that requires a huge amount of effort in "promoting" me.

What does a "web production artist" do? It sounds awfully fancy... I used to be heavily into web design both graphically and programming.

[Anarky]

A lot of my job has to do with the creation of Ads for our various sites. The sales reps send in specs and we make an ad, it is either approved or revised.

I also do make examples of pages we are trying to implement and I will be doing some coding soon, PHP and ASP I know for sure.

We also have are going to be creating a video blog for on of our sites that covers LA nightlife. Since I am the only on with Premiere and AfterEffects experience I am the go to guy.

It is a little bit of everything to be honest.

[Tessian]

Sounds pretty cool. I started out my internship building the Information Security's (which at the time was just my boss) intranet website. I built it all in PHP and SQL when necessary-- just a simple site to give security news via RSS feeds, store our policies, and offer security awareness training. I was expected to finish it over the summer... done in 4 weeks.

These days I do almost everything security related-- audits, scanning, internet filtering, administration, etc., but I always enjoy having to go back every now and then and do a programming/web project. My intern this year (yes, MY intern ) got to have most of the fun with rebuilding the Security Awareness website, but I had to clean up the thing and put in some features he forgot so it exposed me to new PHP syntax and such. Not that you'll ever need to use it-- but Active Directory integration with PHP is a bitch so much of one that I don't even know how it works... the intern put it together and now I'm thinking I should go back and look at that cause it'll break one day...

[Nev]

hey yo i been going to mad hip hop showz n you could cover a cool spot i been goin to a bit, it's teh ill...

Actually I've been stepping out to hip hop spots around here and have been trying to catch some scenes. A buddy took me to a party the other night where DJ Muggs (of Cypress Hill), Krondon (of Strong Arm Steady), and Jacket (?) from Psycho Realm were all there. The second two you can look up if you like, but DJ Muggs was ill the other night (got to "meet" him and shake his hand and all) and I'm sure you've heard of Cypress Hill.

Couple friends have connex to both the indie hip hop and the underground latin gangster scene these days. Seriously, we should talk. If you want to get potential access you could message me.

PM me...

[SineSwiper]

Hmmm...me thinks Nev has multiple personality disorder. Right now, he thinks he's an aspiring rapper trying to hit the scene with his mad IM skilz.

[RentCavalier]

I feel young and tiny, seeing as how you are all going off into the world, and I'm just starting college.

...

Then again, doesn't this mean I'm going to outlive you all?

HA HA! I am DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS!

[Imakeholesinu]

I feel young and tiny, seeing as how you are all going off into the world, and I'm just starting college.

...

Then again, doesn't this mean I'm going to outlive you all?

HA HA! I am DEATH, DESTROYER OF WORLDS!

Wrong, statistics of underage drinkers in college dieing are on the rise. Break out that beer bong and become a stat next quarter!

Just kidding.

If I had any advice for the college freshman here's what I would say...

Year 1,

Hard Alcohol gets you wasted faster and her panties off quicker.
Master the Mixed CD for dorm floor bashes.
Fear and respect your RA.
That cute girl in class may have a boyfriend, but if you see her at a house party without a guy hanging on her, she's fair game.
Hourly jobs are meant only for booze money and condoms, nothing else.
Help out the dumb football player in the slow math class, it pays off in the end.
Start making friends who are going for rich degree fields, IE Business, Pre-Med etc etc.
Find the loop hole in the meal plan.
Start working out regularly.

Year 2

Take classes only pertaining to your Major this year.
Fear and respect your new RA.
Master the art of Pirating Music over the schools network.
Chances are that cute girl from last year might still have her boyfriend, patiently wait and see.
Hourly jobs are for getting yourself ready to start bartending. Work your ass off in the kitchen and let your manager know you want to be moving on up.
Hopefully that dumb football player wasn't injured and you can still hang with him at some parties, don't be offended if he still doesn't know your name.
Join a fraternity this year, Sig Ep is probably the best one to join if you can't help the football player any longer.
Weed out the fake friends and plan for next year's life off campus and legal.
Continue working out.
Hygiene and wardrobe upgrade are in order. (no more old navy. Shop Express, Abercrombie, American Eagle, and/or Pac-Sun and Polo)

Year 3

Put into effect the new hygiene and wardrobe routine.
Finish all classes required by your major this year.
Plan your finances with your roommates.
Fear and respect your Landlord.
Get to know your neighbors, they throw the best parties.
Cute girl from two years ago looks even better than before, she's dropped the dead beat boyfriend and has been getting a bit more side action. You definitely now have a chance to get her back to your room for a private anatomy study session.
Fuck around more, just be sure you are covered with a jimmy hat.
Turn 21.
Your manager should have recognized your willingness to work extra shifts and promoted you. Buy a cheap bartenders guide and practice making cosmos for the girls in the next apartment over.

Year 4

Make resume.
Look for internship during school year or breaks in field you want to pursue.
Evict the roommate with the girlfriend that doesn't like you or your wild ways and replace him with frat buddy.
Bar hop.
Work Thursday and Friday nights, Saturday is your day to get bombed, also best house parties are then and that's the only day the football team can drink after a game.
Work on locking down a girlfriend (if hot class girl is still available).
Consider grad school.
Graduate???
If on 5 year track, move in with friend and repeat all of year 4.

Enjoy college.

[Anarky]

Don't worry I was the youngest person on this board for a long time, and it seems odd that I am done with college now.