Connie DeMillo

Connie DeMillo

Online design and drawing teacher


ISD287


Your inner critic never has anything good to say...listen for the voice of your inner artist. It’s a quieter, nicer voice that says things like, ‘What if I tried…’

Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
Got a degree in studio art, had no idea what job I could get.
A friend got me a job hand collating defense proposals; there I learned to produce printed materials.
Started freelancing as a graphic designer when I got laid off from a full-time job; learned that one person can support themselves independently.
Started teaching an evening design class to escape the nightly screaming of my autistic daughter just for one evening a week.
A design client alerted me about a design teaching job share that fit my schedule perfectly and gave me health care coverage.
Got my masters degree; my income rose $45k in the 16 years I worked there.
Retired from full time teaching in 2016, but still help kids through the online classes.

Education

High School
Hibbing High
Graduate
Education, General
Hamline University
Certification/License
Ba, studio art
University of Minnesota Minneapolis

Career

Online design and drawing teacher

I help high school students uncover and develop their unique talents and self confidence.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Design
Education
Problem Solving

Day to Day

I check my email in the morning to see if anyone has a problem, grade what needs grading, check in with anyone falling behind. I am always looking to improve my classes, so I make videos and slide shows to add original content.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

Get as many job interviews as you can and get good at it. When they ask you if you have any questions, ask this: “What are you looking for in a candidate that you are having trouble finding?” That turns the interview around, they tell you their problems, and when you get the job you will know exactly what to do to make your boss look good. That makes you more valuable.

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

certification
Certification/License
Ba, studio art

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

"You can’t be a designer, you’re no good"