Career Roadmap
Dago's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Business, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Graduate Degree
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Art Directors:
Bachelor's Degree
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I only applied to one university, and it was St. Ed's. They took me in, and I got enough scholarships, on-campus jobs, and loans that I made it through pretty unscathed.
2.
Since I was 15, I wanted to write and teach History. That meant I needed a PhD, and I was pretty deadset on that. Did research summers at ND and Chicago as an undergrad to prepare.
3.
The recession hit. People with advanced degrees went back to grad school, and I got rejected from every PhD program I applied to.
4.
Regrouped and went after an MLA degree from St. Ed's. I figured it would help my CV out and I would use it to find my way academically.
5.
I got burned out on school and decided that if I couldn't teach I would at least try to make a difference. I started looking for work with local nonprofits.
6.
I was an event and contract manager at a local NPO. I planned conferences and managed our relationships with public and private funders. But I grew tired of being so multidisciplinary in my work.
7.
I decided that I loved the marketing aspects of everything I did. Design, planning, copy... so I looked for marketing positions.
8.
I've been at BBB for three years, and I've had two title changes and am now the Creative Manager. I stuck to my principles, kept learning, and filled in where I could where there was a vacancy.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
You're too ambitious for this position. You aren't a perfect fit skills-wise. You have to be traditionally taught to be good at something.
How I responded:
I just put my head down and worked on myself and my professional goals one step at a time. The big picture can get overwhelming, but if you break it down into simple steps, the mountain becomes a lot less daunting.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Honestly, asking for more responsiblities and money is really hard. I feel like everything is case by case, but at the end of the day CLOSED MOUTHS DON'T GET FED. Get out there and take what you've earned.
I grew up in a rough part of Houston. I was big enough that no one messed with me, but I made sure to make friends that had similar interests and goals that I did. It's difficult and can feel isolating, but you'll thank yourself later.
The pressure of being a first-generation immigrant really is a special circumstance. You have to deal with both being American enough for society and, in my case, Salvadoran enough for your family. Find what you're comfortable with and run with it.
NETWORK! No one tells you this. All your life you've been getting graded and doing well in school, but that's like 25% of what it takes to make it outside of college. Use your friends and let them use you. Reciprocate where you can. NETWORK!