| Kristina Ogilvie already had a Bachelor's in English and | | | | able to channel the rather far out ideas I usually have |
| a Master's in Humanities under her belt when she | | | | into more tangible, realistic designs. " Ogilvie added. |
| discovered an unknown talent and passion for graphic | | | | These skills will also help her compete with other |
| design. So rather than begin a four-year Bachelor's | | | | graphic designers in an economy that's still on its way |
| program, she did the smart thing: she enrolled in a | | | | to recovery. And she's not the only one using |
| continuing education course. | | | | continuing education classes to further her career. A |
| For professionals like Ogilvie who are looking to enter | | | | winter 2010 survey of community college presidents |
| a new field, continuing education classes are an | | | | showed that enrollment across the country is up |
| attractive option in a tough economy. Not only are | | | | from 2009, with a portion of that growth in |
| they faster and less expensive than Bachelor's | | | | certificate, workforce and career enhancement |
| programs, but they often allow students to continue | | | | programs. |
| working while they gain the skills they need to make | | | | And once she has her certification in hand, Ogilvie will |
| a career change. (Some courses are even offered | | | | be able to do more than just changer her career. |
| online.) | | | | She'll be able to change her life. |
| In Ogilvie's case, this new career will be one in which | | | | "I've always wanted to move overseas, so I'm |
| she can build on the graphic design talent she | | | | hoping this will make me a more attractive candidate |
| discovered in her current position as Department | | | | to employers, and that it will help me get a more |
| Assistant at Northwestern University. To complete | | | | lucrative job," Ogilvie said. |
| graphic design projects that her department needed, | | | | Want to learn more about graphic design programs? |
| Ogilvie taught herself the basics of Photoshop, | | | | Graphic design careers offer the opportunity to work |
| Adobe Illustrator, and other essential graphic design | | | | with a variety of media, color palettes, and fonts |
| programs. She hopes that the survey design course | | | | whose names you can't pronounce. They also offer |
| and Adobe Illustrator courses she enrolled in at The | | | | some serious job opportunities. According to the U.S. |
| School of the Art Institute will take her to the next | | | | Bureau of Labor Statistics, specialized design services |
| level. | | | | (which includes graphic design) is one of today's |
| "With these classes I'll actually learn everything the | | | | fastest growing industries. |
| tools can do, and how to make things look the way I | | | | Plus, many graphic design programs can be |
| want them to. I'm basically hoping to improve on | | | | completed online, which allows you to get the skills |
| what little knowledge I have of the creative suite, as | | | | you need on your timetable. For more information, |
| well as think more like a designer and somehow be | | | | check out this graphic design degree programs page. |