Some suggestions I give to young designers that may help them avoid costly errors when starting their design career.

1. SWOT Analysis
to get a Design Job
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

2. a few tips for recent
graduates, unemployed
or bored professionals
planning a career
change in design...
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

3. SWOT
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

4. or just a way to know
yourself, do your
research and analyse
your situation...
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

5. first do the Jung/Myers-
Briggs personality test:
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.
http://similarminds.com/jung.html
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

6. (but be cautious about “labeling” yourself,
we all change depending on the situation,
motivation, goals, even our mood)
and yet, you may consider a “match”:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Job_Personality
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

7. types of design jobs
freelance
consultancy
academia
government
crafts workshop
entrepreneurship
employed by a small company
employed by a large corporation
etc...
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

8. areas of design jobs
toys
jewelry
furniture
exhibition
museums
packaging
multimedia
automotive
aeronautics
manufacturing
home appliances
etc...
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

9. your strengths
what do you enjoy doing?
your design skills
your generic skills
what are your interests?
what are you praised for?
what challenges you?
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

10. your weaknesses
what do you hate doing?
your design shortcomings
your generic flaws
what bores you?
what are you unwilling to compromise?
for how long will you look for?
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

11. opportunities
is this the right area in your city or region?
is adequate training offered/available?
average salaries vs. expenses
is this a springboard into something else?
found a good environment or team?
got contacts?
opportunities for career development?
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

12. threats
an industry with growth potential?
uncertain future conditions?
career progression seems limited?
challenges outside your comfort zone?
overly competitive environment?
(backstabbing)
an unsafe city or region?
hidden costs?
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

13. it is your call!
strengths can be weaknesses
(relevance of skills)
opportunities can be threats
(travel or competition thresholds)
what are your expectations?
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

14. be honest
avoid preconceptions
try new things
challenge yourself
be strategic
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

15. learn to sell yourself
(in a good way)
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

16. learn to read others
(also in a good way)
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

17. never underestimate
timing and chance
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

18. never underestimate
the people you know
(pay attention to “weak ties”)
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

19. the best opportunities
are not “there”, you
have to create them
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

20. always exceed
expectations
(unlike most of your attitudes in class)
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)

21. homework:
go watch “Hitch”
(tip: score your dream job)
Dr. Ricardo Sosa (sosa.ricardo@gmail.com)