Did you ever get your "big break"?
- Thread starter Slayer-33
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Risk Breaker
Member
Finished my degree in Geology. Was a shit Geologist. Had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, applied for a job in the Games Industry as a junior designer. Got it.
10 years later I'm still doing a job that I love and enjoy each and every day.
Yeah, I got real fucking lucky and I know it!
Wow, that's indeed awesome.
I was going to be a electro technical technician (not really my thing
) earlier this year. Now I'm in videogame industry as well, not as a junior designer though, unfortunately But it's a big company and I'm only 24, so things can only go up from here I hope. Woohoo!Getting my first proper 'career' job was definitely a life-changing big break for me. I was expecting to have to wait and work for it for a good few years after graduating from uni, but the stars aligned when I got let go from my customer support thing, got a QA job and then managed to be in the right place at the right time about 6 months after moving.
If it wasn't for that, I don't know what I'd be doing right now, but it'd certainly be something different and worse.
If it wasn't for that, I don't know what I'd be doing right now, but it'd certainly be something different and worse.
sixteen-bit
Member
congrats
TOP SHOTTA
Member
I was working at a small web design agency in the late 1990's to 2000, and the work started to dry up. It looked like the agency was going to fold.
I started interviewing. I got my break when I was hired by a big publicly traded company that makes CAD software. My pay increased by over 20,000 a year more than I was making at the agency.
Then I ran that Web site for about 8 years with a small, excellent team (with a well-known GAF'er, friend and known person in the gaming industry who left to pursue his dream), got promoted like 3 times. Bunch of pay raises, lots of clout by the time I left.
I am still looking to recreate that feeling of running a huge public company's web site. It felt like the CNN newsroom at times and I loved that.
I started interviewing. I got my break when I was hired by a big publicly traded company that makes CAD software. My pay increased by over 20,000 a year more than I was making at the agency.
Then I ran that Web site for about 8 years with a small, excellent team (with a well-known GAF'er, friend and known person in the gaming industry who left to pursue his dream), got promoted like 3 times. Bunch of pay raises, lots of clout by the time I left.
I am still looking to recreate that feeling of running a huge public company's web site. It felt like the CNN newsroom at times and I loved that.
robot
Member
Probably my internship.
My brother got me a paying internship at a pharmaceutical ad agency in NY, back in 2000 when they started up an interactive branch. Pretty huge considering I wasn't an design major in college despite doing a lot of design related stuff my whole life. Went in with a portfolio of flash work I put together in 3 weeks.
Anyways, the internship led to a full time gig, and 12 years later I'm Creative Director, running a small studio with the brother that started it all back in 2000. Not sure where I'd be without that break.
My brother got me a paying internship at a pharmaceutical ad agency in NY, back in 2000 when they started up an interactive branch. Pretty huge considering I wasn't an design major in college despite doing a lot of design related stuff my whole life. Went in with a portfolio of flash work I put together in 3 weeks.
Anyways, the internship led to a full time gig, and 12 years later I'm Creative Director, running a small studio with the brother that started it all back in 2000. Not sure where I'd be without that break.
vagabondarts
Member
Not yet. I'll continue to work as hard as I can. A so called 'big break' may never come, but hard work is always worth it despite what anyone tells you.
Conciliator
Banned
Sure did, and I did not take advantage of it for absolutely no reason!
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
Baraka in the White House
2-Terms of Kombat
Two that I can think of.
1. Landing my current job. Before this job I was working 40-60 hours a week at $10.50/hour. Now I work an average of 48 hours a week at roughly $26/hour with optional overtime. That was life-changing raise for me.
2. Meeting my girlfriend. We've been at it for nearly two years now without any major hiccups and have been living together for almost a year.
1. Landing my current job. Before this job I was working 40-60 hours a week at $10.50/hour. Now I work an average of 48 hours a week at roughly $26/hour with optional overtime. That was life-changing raise for me.
2. Meeting my girlfriend. We've been at it for nearly two years now without any major hiccups and have been living together for almost a year.
- Meeting my girlfriend 21 years ago. Now my wife for 8 years.
- Birth of my daughter. Nearly 5 years ago.
- ??
- Happiness
Sanky Panky
Banned
Since most of these eem to be job related, mine just happened two months ago.
After years of working on commission only sales jobs (making shit and raking up debt), I went and applied as a teller for one of the big 4 banks. I got hired then as a Personal Banker, moved into Mortgage Loan Modifications after a year, and a year after that I landed my current job. I did not get the job after the interview, but the stars alligned so that the 1st choice could not be hired (don't know why). I was second in line, and I ain't even mad.
I am in a development program within the bank to become a Senior Credit Officer down the line if I want to. Not only did I double my pay in two years, but after the program I can move around the banking/Finance industry for anything related to credit pretty easily. I don't want to make it seem it has been easy, since I have applied and have gotten rejected for each position at least 10 times. It's maybe 20% luck/80% vision and work.
After years of working on commission only sales jobs (making shit and raking up debt), I went and applied as a teller for one of the big 4 banks. I got hired then as a Personal Banker, moved into Mortgage Loan Modifications after a year, and a year after that I landed my current job. I did not get the job after the interview, but the stars alligned so that the 1st choice could not be hired (don't know why). I was second in line, and I ain't even mad.
I am in a development program within the bank to become a Senior Credit Officer down the line if I want to. Not only did I double my pay in two years, but after the program I can move around the banking/Finance industry for anything related to credit pretty easily. I don't want to make it seem it has been easy, since I have applied and have gotten rejected for each position at least 10 times. It's maybe 20% luck/80% vision and work.
viewtiful_dru
Member
Last year, I won a car. Guess that's cool.
But to the OP goddamn! $650 a month for an apartment in that location is basically like you're robbing the landlord.
Want a roomate? I'm clean!
But to the OP goddamn! $650 a month for an apartment in that location is basically like you're robbing the landlord.
Want a roomate? I'm clean!
Slayer-33
Liverpool-2
I'm going to see it (sign lease most likely too) on Thursday early afternoon.
Hyped as hell bro. lol...
Aika'svyse
Banned
Co bought a home
speculawyer
Member
Yeah. And I probably have one right now too. I just don't have the energy.
Probably insignificant compared to others as I'm relatively young but I had absolutely no work experience and being at uni that is a scary thought as everyone seems to have at least some kind of experience. Was really wondering if my degree would be enough to get me through (studying computer science in the UK). Then out of the blue my lecturer says there is an opportunity for a student to spend the summer in Chicago (fully paid, even bigger deal for someone like me) with some of the biggest names in the internet research field. I applied thinking I wouldn't get it but one Skype interview and a long wait later I found out that I was chosen. I went from feeling negative towards my outlook of the future to pretty damn confident.
la flama blanca
Banned
Applied for a shitty tech support job from a craigslist ad that read, "DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY VIDEOGAMES?"
I am now a graphic designer. Within 1 year. Good times.
I am now a graphic designer. Within 1 year. Good times.
For me, I don't think such a "break" is possible considering the music tastes of most people. I have been playing classical, flamenco, Brazilian, and jazz guitar for about 13 years, which is pretty niche (all things considered)... not to mention the fact that it's difficult to sell myself without sounding like a pompous ass. If at all interested, feel free to check my YouTube channel (linked on my site, which is on my NeoGAF profile). I've definitely had some great performance opportunities, but nothing I'd call a "big break".
Yep, as recently as September of this year I finally landed my first permanent well-paying, benefits-eligible job. It took a lot of work, but I definitely anticipate smoother sailing in life from here on out--indeed, getting into the position has gotten a big monkey off my back, and the peace of mind that comes with even a small amount of job/income security is enormous.
I don't get it. Why is the rent so low if it's in high demand? Isn't that the wrong market price then?
Biff
Member
Kitsunebaby
Member
Nope, but I'm still holding out hope that one day I'll meet the sugar momma of my dreams.
i got a good chuckle out of this. cheers.
My wife and I moved to Alberta a year and a half ago from B.C. as well. It has been good to us. B.C. is a tough place to be when you are 20-35 and starting a career. Unless you too a focused and direct route to making good money, the Vancouver Area generally means renting in a small place with a roommate (if you are between the age of 20-30).
oneils
Member
Congrats OP.
My biggest break has to be landing my student co-op job. I interviewed with about 5 employers and finally landed a position. They pay was amazing - $10.15 an hour!
13 years later, I've been fortunate enough to be promoted three times.
It was such a huge break for me. It never quite felt real, at the time. Now, I kind of take my career for granted. I guess being there so long has spoiled me. I do try to make sure that I give more than I take.
My biggest break has to be landing my student co-op job. I interviewed with about 5 employers and finally landed a position. They pay was amazing - $10.15 an hour!
13 years later, I've been fortunate enough to be promoted three times.
It was such a huge break for me. It never quite felt real, at the time. Now, I kind of take my career for granted. I guess being there so long has spoiled me. I do try to make sure that I give more than I take.
anotherVegan
Member
I was fortunate enough to get a job at a good company as it was hiring a ton of people in my town. That was in 2010. The pay is alright, but people around me have gotten promotions and whatnot, but I've been waiting on mine, though management has been basically leading me on about it over the past six months or so. The pay appears to be getting thinner, as I have a kid and another one on the way, had a bunch of expenses come up this year, and we are looking to buy a house in the future. Waiting for my next big break. Hopefully it'll be soon.
teruterubozu
Member
Sold my old house for 2.5 X original price. I'm mortgage free today. The Bush years were good to me.
ryutaro's mama
Member
What kind of car?
Snkfanatic
Banned
Not yet, hoping for it to happen one day.
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