My name is Erika Kranek and I'm 21 years old. I am a full time student at cuyahoga community college and this is the beginning of my 4th year. My major is interactive media and design. However, this was not my first carrier path. When I started at Tri-c 4 years ago I was in the medical sonography program. I love science and medicine. What I didn't know is that I only loved to learn about science and medicine. After I had learned everything I needed for that career I wasn't engrossed in it as much. It was the thought that what I knew and what I did was going to be the same everyday for the rest of my life. This realization made me switch over to the design field.
I chose interactive media as my focus for 3 reasons. I need change and variety in my job. I know that money motivates me. I also know that the economy today and not finding a job scares me. So I chose the best of both worlds. I chose a design career, which would keep my interest and I chose the most in demand and most compensated design field to help with my fear of not finding a job. When I graduate I hope to find a job in the Cleveland area as a beginning web designer. I think the job that would be ideal for me would be one where I worked for a company that needed my skills. Somewhere I would go everyday and be given a project to work on with a team or individually.
I can't be 100% sure that would be my preferred situation because it seems too safe. I like change and I like to be in charge. Although I've herd it is very stressful to own your own business, I find I do my best work when I'm under pressure. I guess you could say I take it out on the project by throwing myself into it. I'm not going to know what I would enjoy more until I have experienced both work styles. I once thought because I like to be in control, that I would like being a manager. I was wrong. After working at Panera Bread for a month I was offered a manager position, I was thrilled. A few weeks later I gave them my resignation. Being a manager at Panera meant working 70 hours a week and having more people down your throat then when you were just an employee. This experience turned me away from management for good. On the contrary, I might have enjoyed being the boss or owner of Panera Bread. I like control, mostly of myself, but being a manager gave me less control. So if I were the owner/boss I would have complete control of my workday. I just enjoy being in charge of me, not others, but if its all or nothing I could handle the job of being in charge.
I think that choosing to work for someone else, as the little guy feels safe to me because I have had a lot of jobs as the little guy and I love it. I felt this way because it's easy to be successful. I also know that the bigger the risk you take the bigger the reward you receive. I am very eager and interested to see where I will find myself the most comfortable and happy in a workplace.