Career Goals + Plan of Action

I've kind of always seen myself wanting to be a collaborator, a designer, a thinker, a maker, a do-er. I have aspirations to work for a company that values what they make just as much as why they make. I have for a long time wanted to become a creative director either at an ad firm or a larger branding house. Ultimately a very realistic expectation of myself is to live comfortably, supporting myself by doing something that I am passionate about. As of late (past year or so) I have been following Australian design and culture. I never had the chance to study abroad (something always came up) and find that post-graduation is as good of a time as any to pick up and follow a dream career in another country. I have aspirations to start up/own a restaurant or two as well as collaborate on a mens boutique. For that matter, I should tell you that I am really passionate about furniture design and would love nothing more than spending my days making furniture. As far as advertising and design in the states I've considered Mcgarrah Jesse in Austin, Barkley Boulder, DMH Kansas City, Pentagram Austin, Pentagram NY, and VSA Chicago.

If I had to lay it all out it would Ideally go something like this:

Jump straight over to Australia after graduation, with a 1 to 2 year working VISA. If that didnt pan out I wouldnt mind staying in Kansas City to grow and use my experience to springboard me over to Australia. I've invested a lot of time and effort into networking here in KC and have become really fond of the creative community. I can also see VML version turning into a VML london or VML australia position. If at some point australia is no longer a priority and After staying in Kansas City for a while and paying off some student debt, I would use the experience to go to MJ in Austin or Pentagram Austin. Perhaps after that I would cash in on my time and apply for a group creative director position at a firm. (partner or exec creative director wouldnt be so bad either) By this time i would have Established a base in the creative industry enough to feel comfortable dropping it to open my own shop. A shop that is into multiple disciplines. Itd be a small place that would focus a lot on branding and brand experience. I'd use a part of that shop to make a production area for all kinds of stuff. At some point there would be a collaboration to open a restaurant and a men's shop.

My plan is loose, but I do have one thing in the cross-hairs, Hard work and success. I am all over the place but the main thing that I've always told myself is to be open and that being uncomfortable isn't a bad thing. I am willing to go with the flow and stay open to any opportunity in order to progress in my career. I honestly feel that my ambition will allow me to do whatever I want. Its a matter of figuring out when I want to do it.

I just want to be happy doing whatever i do, dammit. A soul sucking job is not a life long goal of mine. I want to explore. I want to work hard. I want to survive. I want to succeed.