If I were to pursue a career in scenic design I would first go to school for technical theater. As of now, I am planning to attend Hastings College for Theater education, but they also have a very good technical theater program. Ensuring that I am OSHA certified is also an important part of this. Hastings College also allows students to work in their theater while they attend school and from what I have observed they have always needed new shop heads as the students only stay for the four years they attend school there. This would allow me to gain experience and make some good money doing what I love while in college. Hastings College also allows any student to pursue a teaching degree which will be helpful for what I want to do.

After college, the next step would be to find a secure job. Hale Theater is currently hiring a Resident Technical Director. This would be a good job for me as it is close to home, it pays well and I have always thought it would be great to work at Hale. Their stage is in the round which is much different than the other theaters I have worked in and would help me build up a resume and my skills.

Years down the line it is hard to guess what I would do If I took this path but ultimately I want to become an educator in some sense. The next step would be to slowly build my own theater company while still working at Hale or to move on to teaching preferably at the college level. As of right now, UCLA is hiring part-time. This would allow me to pay my bills but also have enough time to pursue outside opportunities.

Obviously where I end up can’t be completely predicted but it is good knowing that one of the many skills I have learned in the past for years will allow me to pursue my dreams of becoming a Theater Educator in some sense while still being able to support myself.

Although I have the skills for marketing I don’t think I would ever pursue this path honestly it's just really not my thing. Having marketing as a backup skill I can fall on is very comforting as marketing can be used basically anywhere. This skill also teaches me how to market myself to future employers and colleges. 

If I did pursue this career I would probably start by majoring in musical theater and minoring in marketing. I don’t think I would enjoy working in marketing unless it was in musical theater so it is important to me that I can build up credentials for marketing and musical theater.

After college the next step would be to get a job at a local theater as part of their technical crew, preferably in the marketing department if they are hiring. If the company isn't hiring a marketer at the time that is okay because chances are a lot of their crew is very versatile and works all over the place. It is important to ask what their company culture looks like and how their marketing is run.

Another good idea after building up my resume a bit from college and working would be to market myself online. A Lot of times shows don’t have a specific marketing team and want to hire someone for just one show. If a person can market themselves online well it will be easy for theaters to find them and hire them.

Although marketing is not a path I want to completely pursue it is nice to know that it is a skill I have. This skill can be used in more than just working in marketing. In the future I will use this skill to help market myself and my personal brand to people.