Top 10 Things You'll Discover (Working) at College

A spin off of useful info from:
Top 10 Things You’ll Discover at College

10. No one tells you what to do.
It's like working at a large company. Police yourself and work on time management because superiors have other fish to fry and are relying on you to tend to the nets while they're busy.

9. Many students (coworkers/clients) are smarter (or less experienced) than you.
Your processes as a creative may include the education of your client/peers on your ideation steps. Tell them only what they need to know and fill in the blanks when they get curious. Emphasize where you need their input and focus on the timeline you set being a major goal. Learn what your "client" knows about the process and what their experiences are with it so that you'll save headaches on the front end. Giving them more information than necessary can lead to them developing a "false expert" sense. Your responsibility lies in guiding them to the best solution, however they feel they have decided upon it. Good educational points can make them feel empowered to comment and encourage this to a point. "False experts" gone wild can kill time lines and waste energies quickly. However, they may not know where to even start when formulating an opinion. If they critique your font choices or color selections with nothing beyond their personal preferences, you have at least engaged them in the creative process. Be appreciative and back up your sales position of your preferences with research and trends to up your credibility and persuasiveness. They'll feel what the right solution is regardless but it's up to you to help them avoid weak solutions they feel are a great fit. When in doubt, provide end solutions you would be satisfied with regardless of their feedback.

8. Classes can be huge.
Departments can be a daunting arena. Approval processes and counsel may be long winding roads and messy. Learn up front who to go to and where back ups occur in the timeline!

7. ... And easy to blow off.
Going back to point 10, people may be too busy to keep up with the timelines you've assigned to them. Remind them early and often until you can count on their punctuality in meeting your needs.

6. Two thirds of the work is done outside the class (meeting) room.
Think ahead, be prepared and deliver. That's about it.

5. You set your own schedule.
Between meetings, you've got to do as 6 says and really prepare material to continue forward motion. Even if you're the only one who does so between meetings, you will be the constant contributor, increasing your value!


4. There are new subjects to be learned.
I never thought I'd be researching dietary needs and imagery but the end result dictates the work process. Enjoy the learning opportunities outside of your field and hone in on supplemental instruction that applies to your field. I've arranged to attend web design and CSS workshops through the university. I may not be using those skills right away but they're a great thing to keep in your pocket.


3. Learning at college is cumulative.
The new kid on the block has to figure out who the go-to folks are. Build a relationship with them so they're happy to help you. Reinforce it! Learning the behaviors and history of the school is as big a part of success as meeting their design needs. You can't help a client you don't know. Once you're acquainted, it only gets easier.


2. You have to choose a major.
You can't be an expert in everything so don't talk big unless you've got the experience to back it up. Seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge base and document it for reference. Working with a dietician (like I am?) then copy down some quotable facts from them. It'll help you approach related projects in a more familiar way and serve for talking points as you network.

1. You can be free of your parents.
Working on a college campus gives you the oasis feel of your own little city in the middle of a bigger country. During the day you tune in to the local environment, inserting the outside world as necessary, but all the while keeping the natives happy and attended to. Family and friends take on an after work roll and coworkers become the team that you attach yourself to. There's strength in numbers and the identity that comes with working for a large university or corporation can empower you to contribute to great things while feeling less exposed than at a smaller agency.

Carry on, fellow designers and higher ed folks!

Tiberius would be proud

Star Date: 2 months and 10 days

Mission:
Obtain selection preferences and approval of 3 refreshed designs for food concepts.

Checkpoints:
Accomplish approval in under an hour.
Avoid wasted time prepping what may be thrown out anyway.
Make allies.

Outcome:
Completed. Casualties were avoided.

Manifest: Weekly meeting went smoothly and people left smiling. The antagonists are hiding for the time being and a team is emerging. Inspiration shared, forward motion made. The inertia of the meeting is carrying us towards a bright portion of the process and I can only hope to keep our coefficient of friction to a minimum.

(By the way, the new Star Trek movie was AWESOME! But I couldn't tell you what's happened in the TV show for almost a decade.)