Class of '08 here, so while I don't have loads of experience to draw from, I can speak about some of the things I've noticed going on in the field right now, in terms of finding work.
I second Scott's suggestion to "Pick the company, not the project." My first job (actually an internship) was at a really great company that is very well-respected in the interaction design field. It was only for a few months, but it's since brought me many great job opportunities because it looks great on my resume. I'm currently working at another high-profile agency where, just as Scott said, projects get killed all the time. But the company and client list looks great on my resume. My most exciting projects are outside of the office - in this economy, many people now need more for their web strategy than just a website, so I've been doing my most creative work "on the side" for friends and family. The benefit to this is I get to dictate what I do for them and how to do it, and I often get to experiment with new types of interaction and engagement. So I'm using the company I work for to build a good list of companies and clients on my resume, while using my "side projects" to demonstrate my abilities. My other piece of advice to you and to anyone else out there who just starts working: don't let anyone pay you dirt just because you're a recent grad. My reasoning is that, since I just spent 4 years and about a quarter of a million dollars obtaining a professional degree, I deserve a fair salary commensurate with the experience of a mid-level designer. My 2ยข :) -- Jen Randolph, Interaction Designer http://www.jenrandolph.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=39620
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