Anzi is derived from the Swahili word aenzi, which can mean power, sovereignty and dominion, among other things. For me, Anzi means strength (just look at all that strong, nappy hair!); what's ironic is that I created this name for myself (and, later, my business) at a time when I felt like I had very little. By the way, Donald is a Celtic name which means "world ruler" ... sounds a bit egomaniacal, but who better to rule the world than someone powerful with strong nappy hair? *grin!*
Now, I'm a successful web designer. I'm proud of my craft, but it is time to develop it even further with education. It is time to strengthen what Anzidesign means by refining the entire gamut of my design skills. It's time to get Anzi's weight up!
Going back
I attended University of Maryland, College Park as a Computer Science major between 1988 and 1992 - and I did not graduate. I was not prepared for the level of difficulty and was quickly lost. I was severely depressed for most of my time there and I remember precious little about what I actually did. This failure is at the core of my apprehension of returning to college, but much of it is alleviated when I consider the difference between then and now.
Then and now
In 1988, I graduated from Eleanor Roosevelt High School. I took advanced placement course in English and Computer Science which put me on the fast track to college. Looking back, I think it was a mistake for me to go to college directly after high school. I didn't know what I really wanted out of college or how to get it. I knew that I wanted to use computers, but I had no idea what was in store for me as a compsci major - a lot of difficult, uninteresting and seemingly non-applicable coursework. And I ended up paying for it out of my pocket.
It's now the end of 2002 and I'm a fairly experienced web designer. After working for different financial institutions for years, I'm now an independent contractor. Now, I definitely have a good idea of what I want out of my education (and I know how I'm going to pay for it, too) - right now, I want to polish and extend the web design skills that I already have. Eventually, I want to study other forms of media, too.
The Gameplan
Initially, I'll be focusing on my web design skills, so pretty soon I'll be enrolling in Sessions.edu's Combined Certificate Program. Although I've been quite autodidactic in my life, I feel that I need the discipline and structure of formal training to really move ahead - especially to continue my education. My next step would be The New School's Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's in Media Studies Program. Ultimately, I want to study all forms of media and learn how to apply (and combine) them for solutions that communicate their messages effectively.
Tighten it up
I grew up expecting to be successful (read: financially successful) without ever wondering (or worrying about) how I was going to achieve that. I knew my brilliant intelligence would get me a great job and I'd be able to afford whatever I desired. Well, now I'm living in a very real world, a world where thousands of e-mailed resumes are being deleted in a single keystroke. It's a world where the stakes (and unemployment rolls) are getting higher - especially in new media. I don't want my lack of pedigree or demonstrated skills to prevent me from competing with studios like this one or that one ... or this one ... or even that one. Strengthening what my business delivers is the key to establishing my financial stability - and perhaps maybe even financial success.
Epilogue
I had to completely type this entry over three times. I guess that could be God sending me a message, which one I can only guess, but there's a reason why - maybe to solidify my own understanding of what I want and how to move in that direction. I guess that in itself could be an education ...
Do the damn thing!
i keep coming back hoping for an update! come back donald, please.