To start, you must have right reference. You can read books and observe websites created by renowned creators in industry. You can dog ear or mark your books in order for you to easily locate pages. You can also jot down websites and creators to learn more from them. Other sources are design magazines, posters and billboards. They give you idea of what industry needs.

Although you just need talent to prosper but still when talent is coupled with sort of certificate or degree that gives you a greater edge compared to those who has none. Across North America, Europe abroad, there are many schools and colleges that offer quality graphic design degrees and programs such as visual communication, multimedia, graphic design, animation, web development, and likes. They all have common principles yet they may have a specific focus. Other programs focus more on print, others on website development. These programs can tend to overlap so it’s better to choose your best inclination.

Why do so many Americans aspire to a federal job? The answers are diverse. Some consider it a patriotic duty, while for others it’s an act of enlightened self-interest. Whatever your motivation, however, benefits are significant. Simply put, Uncle Sam is an excellent boss.

Working for federal government offers employment stability that cannot be replicated in private sector. Once a new employee completes a predetermined probationary period (usually 1 year), lifetime employment is nearly guaranteed. Laws and regulations governing federal personnel practices make it extremely difficult to fire, lay-off, or forcibly transfer most employees. On rare occasions when lay-offs do occur, displaced employees are given very preferential hiring treatment for similar positions that becomes available. The result is that very few federal employees have ever missed a day of work due to a lay-off.

Fringe benefits, including an excellent retirement package, are also a major motivating factor. Health benefits for federal employees are generally better than those offered in private sector, and government currently picks up more of premium costs than most private employers. For an employee enrolled in Blue Cross/Blue Shield’s family coverage, for instance, government currently pays $578 of $771 monthly premium. Retirement benefits are based on a complicated formula that incorporates employee’s salary, years of service and retirement age, but independent studies consistently determine that plan is more generous than nearly all private sector employers.

Federal salaries are competitive as well. In 2005, average salary for all federal workers worldwide is $60,203. Due to salary structure and political realities, raises are virtually guaranteed every year. In January 2005, raise was set at 3.5%. In addition, salary adjustments are made for employees in major metropolitan areas.

Federal service also provides far more opportunity for advancement than most other employers. At senior management level (known as Senior Executive Service, or SES), salaries range from $107,550 to $162,100. There are currently approximately 7,000 SES employees in federal service.

With all of these benefits, it’s no wonder that many job seekers are trying to land a position with federal government. While competition is fierce, here are some key strategies that can help you in your search:

1. Check government’s official employment web site (http://www.usajobs.opm.gov) often. Virtually every federal job vacancy is listed there, and it’s updated every day. Most vacancy announcement are only open for a period of approximately 3 to 4 weeks, and application process can be detailed, so it’s best to check frequently so you can start working on your application as early as possible.