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Dear You,
No, I have never lost my focus. Never. In fact, the passion to do creative work grows stronger every single day. Listen, how can I possibly forget all the sacrifice I made to fly across the globe alone and landed here to pursue a career in design and technology? How could I possibly forget all the struggling plus a stomach ulcer?
Back in year 2001 at a story-telling class in college, when asked to create a piece of art work using any material at home, all I literally had was the paper core from a toilet paper roll. It sounds funny right now but by then the project was completed along with tears. (By the way, I cut it into a swirl shape and made a candle-holder, or a look-alike).
Today the job at MSFT allows me to swipe my Visa card Daniel Smith without even looking at the receipt. I drew on a fancy easel, set up studio lighting at home, and almost bought a new Mac (wait, MSFT readers: I currently owned 3+ PCs, use Windows Mobile and I tried Live Search, okay?). I have never felt this fortunate.
However, working as a support engineer was only the first step in my sketch of life. This short-term goal to solving complex technical problems for the online advertising business at the largest software company in the world has already been completed.
So what's next? Career realignment. I had to admit though - at a point I did buy into the hype and fought (until it bleeds) for a promotion, just to be able to hang the word ‘Engineer’ on the title. Though I treasure the learning and experience a great deal, the only voice I could hear inside me is:
“Designer, designer, designer. You know you want to be a designer and you only want to be a designer.”
So here’s my FY09 career goal - “Discover, design, and deliver the best user experience in products and software.”
I can’t promise when a career in UX / UI design will happen, but this will be my one single focus in the years to come. I believe in myself and my big dreams (Thank you Lisa, for your powerful words and "The Last Lecture" link by Randy Paush).
Dear You - don't give up on me. I will, come back up.
No, I have never lost my focus. Never. In fact, the passion to do creative work grows stronger every single day. Listen, how can I possibly forget all the sacrifice I made to fly across the globe alone and landed here to pursue a career in design and technology? How could I possibly forget all the struggling plus a stomach ulcer?
Back in year 2001 at a story-telling class in college, when asked to create a piece of art work using any material at home, all I literally had was the paper core from a toilet paper roll. It sounds funny right now but by then the project was completed along with tears. (By the way, I cut it into a swirl shape and made a candle-holder, or a look-alike).
Today the job at MSFT allows me to swipe my Visa card Daniel Smith without even looking at the receipt. I drew on a fancy easel, set up studio lighting at home, and almost bought a new Mac (wait, MSFT readers: I currently owned 3+ PCs, use Windows Mobile and I tried Live Search, okay?). I have never felt this fortunate.
However, working as a support engineer was only the first step in my sketch of life. This short-term goal to solving complex technical problems for the online advertising business at the largest software company in the world has already been completed.
So what's next? Career realignment. I had to admit though - at a point I did buy into the hype and fought (until it bleeds) for a promotion, just to be able to hang the word ‘Engineer’ on the title. Though I treasure the learning and experience a great deal, the only voice I could hear inside me is:
“Designer, designer, designer. You know you want to be a designer and you only want to be a designer.”
So here’s my FY09 career goal - “Discover, design, and deliver the best user experience in products and software.”
I can’t promise when a career in UX / UI design will happen, but this will be my one single focus in the years to come. I believe in myself and my big dreams (Thank you Lisa, for your powerful words and "The Last Lecture" link by Randy Paush).
Dear You - don't give up on me. I will, come back up.
Me.