Brian Fort
Project coordinator / Marketing Resource manager
Fullerton College
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I was an athlete as a youth, I set a standard for grades and performance. I fell short on most of those. injuries and distractions played a big role in my education, while maintaining a B average.
After high school I moved into the dorms at Cal State Long Beach, searching for independence, I ended up washing out after 2 semesters. I never stopped schooling I moved back home and kept studying.
I moved several places and lived on the floor for months.
I was not very financially savvy I bounced from rented room to rented room living out of a suitcase and carrying most of my family memories with me, cause we didn't have a storage.
I landed and job as a warehouse manager where the graphic design team was upstairs and that's when I wanted to use my art to make a living. Alas I no experience but I had kept going to school .
Desperate for a change I went for a job that asked for artistic skills, and that i had in full. I was welcomed and loved for my skills, but I was fired because of my mouth. Let go with full benefits.
I was on the verge of homeless when my future wife showed up and took a chance on my potential. I went to get my AA from Fullerton College just to be on par with her and her friends.
After networking at Fullerton College for 3 years, I graduated finally in 2017 20 years after high school now I make good money being creative, and leading others to their goals.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Project coordinator / Marketing Resource manager
I create and maintain and marketing materials and website as well. As well as giving presentations
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Design
Education
Being Creative
Day to Day
I maintain a website for the office of special programs for Fullerton College, I usually update the site per the request of one of the counselors to reflect a change in what we offer. I take time to interview students for a student spotlight portion of the newsletter I produce as well. Most of my day is spent creating graphics or flyers for upcoming events. There is some bookkeeping there is some heavy lifting, most importantly there is a time where I leave my cave and speak to the public.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
First thing I would recommend is to start getting to know the faculty and staff, they will be the gatekeepers, stand out on campus as someone everyone wants to work with because of their positive energy. Take you art classes serious and lead whenever possible. Be a self starter at this stage in the game no one wants to have to tell you to do your job. Take your emotions out of it and go full speed toward the finish line because nothing last for ever.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"That I need to find a job that is going to pay me. I didn't know that I could go to school for Art, I thought you were endowed with the spirit of the ancestors in order to get paid for drawing or painting, So I pursued a business degree."
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
