Aspiring graphic designer who needs a 'foot in the door'

Question

i just finished my degree in computer graphic design. i still work my cash job that i had while in school, but now i want to leave and enter my field. the problem is, most firms and magazines want experience, and i don't have any professional experience. can anyone suggest any "stepping stone" positions that would launch my career? this way i can gain experience, but not necessarily need a lot on my resume to begin with to get such a job.

ultimately i want to work as a magazine layout artist, do ad design, and possibly do some digital photo retouching on the side.

any and all suggestions would be appreciated! =)

also insights from designers in the field are most welcome!

Answer 1

Key is to get some experience and build your portfolio by picking up freelance jobs and entering design contests at sites like http://jobs.designbay.com or http://www.bootb.com

DesignBay's mission is "to give creative people opportunities".

Answer 2

I'm not in this exact field, but my suggestion is that you look for independently-published or online magazines and work for them either cheaply or for free in your spare time while you have another source of income. This will give you experience enough to allow you to apply for jobs demanding it and also allow potential employers to see what your work looks like in an actual publication - if you can take along a copy of a magazine with your design work in it or show them online ads you have designed this will put you way ahead of graduates who only have a portfolio of their work to show. If you have been doing voluntary work, it also demonstrates your dedication to the job, and that is a major point in your favour as well.

Best of luck!