During my term as MAC, I held a social that would later lead to the missing piece in my love for Houston and my love for my industry. My current boss was at one of our socials I hosted, and if it wasn’t for AIGA, she would have never seen my dedicated involvement and commitment to engage the Houston design community. AIGA opened one of many doors for me and now is now proudly listed on the back of my business card.  I have an amazing job [especially in this economy], an amazing city to call home, and most of all, an amazing, selfless community of designers and creative thinkers. I still love you Chicago, but this love is long term.

2
I had a very rewarding term as MAC on the board, and now I am now stepping into the presidents role, one that I take with great honor and pride. My long term aspiration is to change the perception of Houston nationally. We are more than just a city of Oil & Gas, cowboy boot wearn’, truck drivin’, gun shootn’, country music lovn’ Southerners! We are a diverse, cultivated community of every median possible, and we’re not afraid to help one another [this is were the southern charm plays a key role].

Our board is on the verge of becoming one pulsating whole that will extend out to our members and then engage the community beyond. It is my determination to bring more business to Houston through my love for design and my passion for community engagement. Involvement from all aspects of all medians, becoming one voice. Connecting all medians to work with each other not just for profit, but for self and community improvement. It starts with one idea and lots of help, and through reaching out to the community for engagement, nothing is limitless.

About a month later, I went to visit Seattle, and knew that I was home. I packed and left for Seattle, but still wanted to be involved on the board. I still performed my responsibilities by networking with Houston chapter members, and one day by pure luck, asked one of my contacts (who I had established a solid professional relationship with), if he had any contacts in Seattle. He had one, and she happened to be leaving her job (executive assistant). I contacted her directly, said I was interested, arranged a time to meet, and surpassed over 200 other applicants to be put in the top 6 applicants.

I had no office experience whatsoever but was hired based on the contributions I could make to the office in terms of design and marketing.

My extensive networking paid off, and because of it I got a job in Seattle during a recession, and I know 100% that it is because of AIGA, and the contacts I have made through it.

2
My design program wasn’t very effective. I wanted to progress as a designer and learn as much of the industry as I could before graduation.  AIGA’s resources gave me a better understanding of what to expect upon graduation, how I could better present my portfolio, and be a better communicator when discussing design with individuals who aren’t design savvy. Everything about AIGA has benefited me so far, and I look forward to utilizing its endless amount of resources as my career progresses.