CTN Spotlight on ... Jessica!
CTNX: Hello Jessica, it's a pleasure to speak with you! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
JP: I'm from Southern California, about 40 minutes away from the usual CTNX location. I'm working towards getting my teaching credential to teach high school art, while doing some small time art commission work on the side.
CTNX: When and how did your relationship with CTN begin?
JP: I started volunteering for CTNX several years ago, when I was still an undergraduate at Cal State University Fullerton, studying animation. While doing some research for my animation classes I stumbled across an artist blog discussing CTNX. Then my professor, Chuck Grieb, brought it up to the class. I found out that one of the best ways to get involved was to volunteer, so me and many of my fellow students signed up as volunteers that year.
CTNX: What have your positions been with CTNX and what have you learned most from your experience working with CTN?
JP: I have done many of the small jobs as a volunteer. I've checked people in with their badges, worked as a booth buddy, and guided some of the other volunteers where they were needed. But my all time favorite job was working as a door guard (I forget the technical name for it), because I got to see so many of the presentations myself. I learned some great things, all while volunteering.
CTNX: What are your ultimate career goals?
JP: Some day I would love to be an art professor at CSU Fullerton. But for now, I am aiming to teach high school art through an online platform. And, I have been the illustrator for a couple of self-published children's books; I would love to do more of that.
CTNX: How does working with CTN help you meet those goals?
JP: Well, being a booth buddy was a great experience. You can talk one on one with professionals in the industry. They know what it takes and are usually more than willing to share their wisdom. And having the opportunity to watch some of the panels was great, it was the first time I had heard about important things like illustrator's rights and contracts.
CTNX: What have you learned most from your experience working with CTN?
JP: I've learned that I love the convention and I aim to come back next year :]
CTNX: What do you look forward to most in the coming years regarding your career?
JP: I'm open minded to the future, but I know whatever I do, there will be art involved. And I expect to come back to CTNX many more times; each year a little closer towards my art goals.
CTNX: It was a pleasure to talk with you Jessica!