#59 Pull out your college portfolio now and then. Celebrate the ways you have evolved and remember where you came from.

On those days where you feel frustrated, uninspired or just plain stumped…grab your college portfolio and take a trip down memory lane. Revisit all those pieces that you, at that time, deemed your best work. These were the examples of the work with which you were going to impress your employer, get you your dream job and catapult into Communication Arts.

Now look at them through a critical eye. See how far you have come, what you have learned since then, how you have grown, changed and improved. Better yet, have everyone else bring in their books and talk, laugh and grow as a group. (Oh yeah, bring in your interns too, they need to know things usually only get better.)

#55 Regularly review student portfolios whether you are hiring or not. Great way to stay connected, help grow community & even be inspired.

Typically we are trying to encourage cutting things out of a schedule but we all can remember how important it was to get professional feedback. Being able to see what a real design firm looks like, get interview and presentation practice, and the humbling denial. But there is also a great opportunity on the other side of the table..and that is sharing your experience from design, business and life. Being able to point young designers in the right direction, help them make connections or teaching them about the business is a huge contribution that you can make (We will talk later about how to give a great interview).

I’m not one that believes in Karma, but I do believe if you do what you can for others good things happen in return. Whatever your reason, one of the best is realizing that YOU have a lot of knowledge. Advice. Guidance. Support. Sharing it sure feels good, and you never know you may just be inspired on the youthful energy, creative thinking and possibly introduced to new technologies or ways of doing things.

So when time is seemingly nonexistent, think about taking a break now and then and rapping with the future leaders of our profession.