I just want to clarify that, generally speaking, I respect formal education and those who seek to patronize it. I have nothing in particular against the practice of formal education. I also thoroughly understand that most people aren't of the autodidactic persuasion, at least to the degree I consider myself. Of course, almost everyone these days learns things on their own, but very few embrace it as fully and religiously as I tend to.
I also do believe that getting a college degree is an important step for most young people today in pursuing their life goals. I consider myself a stark exception to the general rule that you need a college degree to succeed in life today. Granted, these days--more than ever before--some professional fields are focusing on demonstrable skills, et cetera, over a certificate proving your time commitment in a formal program of study, but I digress. *smirk*
\Seth
January 26, 2011
Becoming Aware
I started this blog to exhibit my work as I continue to hone my web design skills, and to share my experiences along the way. Ironically, my motivation for creating this new extension of my personal brand (as "the self-taught professional") was my recent interest in pursuing an online bachelor degree in web design or visual communication.
Yes...me, the "self-taught professional", seeking formal education. Pretty ironic, right?! Well, my line of thought was that having a degree to show potential clients down the road, along with my portfolio of web work, would make me more desirable. I think I had grand dreams of being educated amidst skilled peers by experts in the field on the latest technologies, theories and concepts. This piqued my excitement initially, and got me really motivated to find the right online program that would afford such a reality.
Alas, this idea didn't have legs long enough to run around in my head for even a week. After doing some serious research into my options for online schools and programs, which I must say ran a huge gamut, I came to a solid conclusion--actually a few...
Yes...me, the "self-taught professional", seeking formal education. Pretty ironic, right?! Well, my line of thought was that having a degree to show potential clients down the road, along with my portfolio of web work, would make me more desirable. I think I had grand dreams of being educated amidst skilled peers by experts in the field on the latest technologies, theories and concepts. This piqued my excitement initially, and got me really motivated to find the right online program that would afford such a reality.
Alas, this idea didn't have legs long enough to run around in my head for even a week. After doing some serious research into my options for online schools and programs, which I must say ran a huge gamut, I came to a solid conclusion--actually a few...
January 25, 2011
Welcome to my world!
Hello.
Welcome, and thank you for joining me. Through this blog I will share my experiences as a self-taught professional in the world of technology.
I've been on this journey for nearly 12 years, and I feel like I've only just been warming up for what is to come. I began at 16 years old as a government contractor in the Washington, D.C. area and right now I work with a small education non-profit based in my adopted hometown of Seattle. All along I've also been a contractor for a small company in PA, doing software development and database design. I've never had any formal education in what I do; I learn, on my own, through reading, exploring and just plain messing around.
Over the past few years I've taken up a fascination with things like user experience (UX), interaction design, information architecture, principles of design and theories of visual communication. I experiment with these obsessions whenever I get the chance through my limited web design efforts, but unfortunately my current work engagements don't allow me much time to explore these areas. I long to work with a team of like-minded experts with various skillsets on projects that focus on these obsessions of mine.
For now, I dabble in these areas that fascinate me, to further explore my new passion for the many facets of design. I will exhibit my work here, and continue writing my story as it unfolds.
\Seth
Welcome, and thank you for joining me. Through this blog I will share my experiences as a self-taught professional in the world of technology.
I've been on this journey for nearly 12 years, and I feel like I've only just been warming up for what is to come. I began at 16 years old as a government contractor in the Washington, D.C. area and right now I work with a small education non-profit based in my adopted hometown of Seattle. All along I've also been a contractor for a small company in PA, doing software development and database design. I've never had any formal education in what I do; I learn, on my own, through reading, exploring and just plain messing around.
Over the past few years I've taken up a fascination with things like user experience (UX), interaction design, information architecture, principles of design and theories of visual communication. I experiment with these obsessions whenever I get the chance through my limited web design efforts, but unfortunately my current work engagements don't allow me much time to explore these areas. I long to work with a team of like-minded experts with various skillsets on projects that focus on these obsessions of mine.
For now, I dabble in these areas that fascinate me, to further explore my new passion for the many facets of design. I will exhibit my work here, and continue writing my story as it unfolds.
\Seth
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