1492 - Columbus discovers America;

1969 - Man steps on the moon;

1996 - I take my first SRJC CIS/PageMaker class and life as I know it changes forever!

Prior to my first venture into Santa Rosa Junior College classes, I had worked a little with a PC 386, and learned I had a knack for computers in general and graphics in particular, though my knowledge was limited. Taking both beginning and advanced PageMaker in 1996 only whet my appetite for more, and soon I added Photoshop Beginning and Intermediate, Web Design, Illustrator Beginning and Intermediate, Coddingtown weekend classes and enough other units to finally complete my associate degree, while completing the requirements for an Adobe Applications Certificate along the way.

More importantly, the projects and computer skills I learned and the portfolio that I was able to create from class assignments, landed me a job doing the layout for a children's book, numerous graphics projects and led to the eventual start of my own business, At Designz and Creative Office Services.

Because I had spent so many hours learning software programs through the CIS classes, and thus gained enough skills and confidence, I was hired first for a Marketing company and then offered a job with a web based company doing database work. This eventually led to my being given the responsibilities, pay and title of Director of Operations, all while working from my home-based office and utilizing the skills I had learned.

Each semester I add more classes, gain more knowledge and add more projects to my file, which allows me to raise my rates as a result! I'd have to say one of the best decisions of my life, was to take SRJC classes, both for the personal growth, pleasure and for the business opportunities they've provided. You can't afford not to go to SRJC.