Alumni Profile: William

Happily retired

Industrial Design/Art History

When you first came to UIUC did you know for sure what you wanted to do as a major/career?

Yes

How many majors/careers did you "go through" during your years here and how

I began in Chemical Engineering and transfer into industrial design the second semester of my freshman year. I saw from observing those around me that I could build a career in something I really loved that called on more of my skills and interests, rather than just "book" intelligence.

What was one UIUC event, memory, person, class, that made a substantial difference in your career choices?

Bob von Neumann, Don Frith, Nick Britsky, Glenn Hanson (journalism), and Art Sinsabaugh.

What was your first job after you earned your degree?

Prototype designer for Arvin Industries in Columbus, Indiana.

Pleas list all positions that you have held since graduation.

Draftsman for kitchen designer,
Television designer/cameraman,
Photographer,
Scenic designer,
Television art director,
Television design instructor at U of I,
Art director for Nebraska ETV Network in Lincoln, Nebraska,
Professor of Visual Design in Journalism at the University of Texas

What is your current occupation and how did you come to it?

Happily retired.

If you changed career paths after school, did you make a conscious choice to make the change, was it forced on you or did it naturally evolve?

Choice.

What steps did you take in making the transition?

Additional education and prayer.

What advice would you give to an FAA student who might be interested in your current or past careers?

Pay attention, you have a chance to get a better than you could possibly believe... but you need to pursue it with PASSION!

What advice can you give an FAA student who is currently undecided about their future career?

Travel.