Chapter 1.3: Pink Butterflies

The job is going very well. My official title is "print/web designer," and while the parameters of what I'll be doing are still unclear, I'll mostly be producing materials for the admissions department. There is another designer, who is focused more on alumni and advancement communications. He started two weeks after I did.

During my first few days, I designed a program for the president's inauguration, which was nice because it gave me the chance to prove myself early.

Connecticut College's "college relations" department, as they call it, has a very different atmosphere in many different ways. To this day, I still feel like a fish out of water--I'm not quite overwhelmed, but still not quite in sync yet. It may take a good 6 months before I feel 100% comfortable.

There are new technological advantages and disadvantages to learn, as well as procedures, techniques and marketing issues to conquer. One of my biggest hurdles will be to get things organized. I'm a very systematic and logical thinker, therefore my environment has to be asl well... and it's going to take some work.

Once again, the person who had the position before more was organized, but in a very over-the-top kind of way. I don't like to keep a lot of things around, but she did and a lot of the mess sits in the new Mac G5 I've been using--or whatever the hell it is.

It's equipped with a widescreen monitor that is at least 20 inches wide and has a lot of software for me to play with. In comparison to the last trainwreck I was in, there are a lot more resources to take advantage of, but they all have their drawbacks. The office's digital camera, for one, is not an SLR and is extremely difficult to use. However, at least one is provided to us.

I couldn't ask for better bosses. They are funny, patient and informative (if and when I have a question), and they are very good at what they do. My officemate is very cool and produces very impressive work.

The working environment is a complete 180 from what I was I was put through before... and I'm still not used to it. There are no clashes of ego, finger pointing or irrational thinking. The department's employees think critically, strategically and efficiently and it is very relieving to watch.

There doesn't appear to be any catfights, backstabbing or malicious blame games. Instead, people work as a "team" to reach the common mission of the College.

What excites me is that I am not the only one designing every single publication for the entire college, and then accused of not working hard enough. There are two additional designers aside from myself AND several people who are not designers, but still know and use graphic design programs such as InDesign.

I have a great view from my office of the Thames River and very complimentary coworkers and clients. My student workers are awesome and very bright individuals, the campus is absolutely gorgeous and for the love of God, they have racquetball courts! There are so many places--on campus--to see, such as the vast lands of the Arboretum, a giganic wildlife preserve, that it is almost overwhelming. 750 acres is a LOT to soak in!

I almost feel like I've woken up from a really bad nightmare. However, it's not all pink butterflies and purple bunnies! While it's definitely a positive change, there are several things that could potentially be a problem and I'm sure you're anxious to know what sucks about the place.

So, in the next post, I will tell you (...more to come).