I graduated from Dickinson College on May 19, 1996. To put myself through college, I worked for two temporary agencies as well as a couple other longer-term "real jobs." Through those jobs, I gained a wide variety of marketable office skills. I ran switchboards, answered phones, faxed, copied, typed, and performed nearly every possible clerical/secretarial duty. In addition, I've used almost every conceivable type of computer and program from spreadsheets to word processors, communications programs to graphics/scanning programs. I've used Unix, Dos/IBM, and Mac platforms. I can scan and print everything from dot-matrix to laserjet (and can also do the needed maintenance and minor repairs). I also have a lot of hands-on experience with publicity design, desktop publishing, and computer layout/design. I have desktop publishing capabilities at home, and do many projects for local non-profit organizations. Additionally, I am well-versed with the Internet, the World Wide Web, and HTML.

Since girlhood, I wanted to go into Advertising. For personal reasons, I left the dead job market of Pittsburgh and moved to the more fertile employment grounds of Baltimore and surrounding areas. Within one month of my arrival here, I landed what I thought was my dream job. I worked almost a year at a Baltimore ad agency that did Web Design. I was a Jr. Account Executive with my own office that overlooked the Inner Harbor and all the perks that the title "dream job" entails: full health coverage, vacation, free parking in a good neighborhood, etc.

As wonderful as the work and perks were, the boss made it a little slice of hell on earth. At my fiance's urging, I quit in 1998, and took a lower-paying web design job at a small A/V and video productions company in Owings Mills, MD. After starting there, I progressed to Marketing manager and salesperson for the A/V Systems Integration division, as well as retaining my web design duties. My last job title there was Director of Marketing and A/V Sales Coordinator. I loved the work and found the A/V field a true challenge, but an enjoyable one. I earned my CTS [certified technology specialist] designation from the International Communications Industries Association and found my true calling in this field.

Of course, all things come to an end and I was laid off in 2003 due to the economic environment and a new direction for the company. Since that time, I've started my own small A/V-related company - meadesigns - to create custom AMX touch panel designs for other A/V integrators. I love being part of the field, but being my own boss and I have the opportunity to work with many wonderful people in A/V companies throughout the region.

(Erm, the last job wants me back! Stay tuned... Director of Marketing and Sales Coordinator may RISE AGAIN! *grin*)