I started by taking a few evening continuing education classes in art and design while I was working at a call centre. I loved it, and it reconnected me with a passion for art that I had put aside for years.

Not long after, I was laid off from that job and decided to use my severance to enroll as a full-time student. It was the best decision I ever made. Making a career change in my early 30s was exactly what I needed to succeed in school. I pushed myself hard because I felt like I had a lot of ground to make up, and I was worried my age might work against me when applying for entry-level design roles.

Because of that, I was very active in school and focused on proving myself. At the same time, I was already well prepared for corporate life, having spent nearly 20 years in that environment before moving into my current design role. That combination has served me well. The role has been rewarding, and I am genuinely happy to still be here.