If someone told me 7 months ago I’d be in Switzerland working on making my dream happen, I’d probably would have told them, “You’re quite the comedian, I wish that were a reality!” Little did I know what was in store for me.
My last spring semester at UNF came to an end in April and I was getting ready to enjoy my summer - which also meant doing an independent study to build my portfolio. I wasn’t upset that I had to take a class during the summer, in fact I was quite excited because I got to choose what I wanted to learn about. The subject was self promotion. I spent the hot, Florida summer days building a website and creating a “brand identity” for myself. I started emailing and hand delivering my resumes to agencies over the greater Jacksonville area in hopes of finding an internship for my last semester - which would determine if I would graduate. Weeks went by with no responses and hope started to fly out the window. Exactly one week before the internship deadline I got an email from the Dalton Agency asking if I was still interested! Heck yes!
Skipping ahead - I started at Dalton in August, which seems like yesterday. I learned so much there and I am so thankful for being able to intern for such a great agency! Three months flew by and graduation was staring me in the face. I had ideas of what I wanted to do, but knew the job market wasn’t hot and contemplated portfolio school in Atlanta if I couldn’t find a job right away. Spending an extra 40k on a book was my absolute last resort.
I was checking out an advertising job blog a couple of weeks before my graduation to see if anything was a possibility for my next step. I was scrolling down the page when I came across “Graphic Design Internship in Switzerland with relocation assistance.” Hmmmmm, bingoooo. My thoughts were, “Why not apply? What do I have to lose? Nothing.” So, I applied … thinking to myself it would be just another resume lost in the deep email abyss. Little did I know.
On my commute to work 4 days later - exactly one week before my graduation - I got an email from a Mrs. Lombardi asking if I would be interested in an interview. I had no reaction but a blank stare. Then, I got to work and told my coworkers. Their responses are what woke me up! OH CRAP!! OH CRAP!! I got an interview … in Switzerland?! BAHHHHH! Ok, I got this … right? Ok, yep.
I woke up super early the day of my interview and drove to a place with great reception - my house was the only place my cellular device did not work … how convenient. The phone rang, I answered and 30 minutes later the conversation ended with, “We’ll let you know by Monday!” Needless to say, I spent the weekend with a million thoughts running through my head.
“Should I go? Should I stay and find a job? What if I don’t get it? What if I DO get it?! Oh crap, that means I would leave in a month!! OH, I should just stay. NO. What?! GOO! What if I am not good enough? What if I get there and I am in over my head?!!<—My weekend in a nut shell.
Graduated that Friday - which I was late for and ended up on the wrong side. Typical story in my book. Not that I’m late for things, but Murphy’s Law comes into action when I least expect it! Saturday and Sunday passed - and Monday came …
Got the email on my way to work yet again. “Congrats, we’d like to offer you the position!” Same reaction as before - blank stare. Got to work and went about by business until my coworker Shea said “What’s up Kitty Kat?” My response: “I’m moving to Switzerland.” We rejoiced and the news sunk in … I was going to Switzerland … in one month … to start my path to my career!!
Fast forwarding a smidgeon - at my month and half mark here in Gais, Switzerland. I’ve come along way since my first week. I am so happy I listened to by gut and made the decision to cross the pond!
I’ve met some awesome people,
ate some awesome chocolate, hopped over to Germany for a beer or two, or three - who’s counting …
reunited with a childhood friend …
and have learned so much at ICON!!!
Being here has broken me of my stubbornness (which is weakness in disguise) when it comes to corporate design. Ask me how far the Sigma Aldrich logo should be from the right, bottom edge? 10 mm. Ask me how long the logo should be? 47mm. What should the body text font size be? 9 over 11. Piece-a-cake. Smooth as butta. Sigma, you owe me a job.
I know things work out for the better. Things happen for a reason. It’s up to us to make our decisions. Even though Switzerland wasn’t where I pictured myself being, I took that spontaneous leap and I finally got a piece of the pie!
