Promoting the Winnipeg Web Industry

One thing that has been bugging me lately is the lack of interest there seems to be in the web industry in my area. It may be different in other areas, but speaking from my own experience.

I always love when people ask me, “What do you actually do for a living?. I simply respond by I develop websites for companies/individuals. Usually I hear a response something like, “You can make a living off that?”. Not sure how many of you developers / designers can feel with me, but the majority of the world doesn’t understand everything that goes into a website.

Another aspect of the web industry that I felt myself thinking in my younger years was, “I enjoy web design as a hobby, but can I make a career of it?. I think that a lot of youth sometimes feel this way, and feel that work has to be something you hate. I can say that I truly love what I do! I just sometimes shake my head at people who flat out reject going into the web industry. I currently have a dream job.

I work at home, and set my own hours
Make good money
And most importantly, I enjoy my job!!

I feel the community, and myself included need to unravel some of the mystery surrounding the web industry. There is a great debate whether or not you should self teach yourself or go to University. I have achieved a bit of both. I suggest that you get some training in your area of interest, but when you leave the program always keep learning. We work in a fast paced industry, and you need to be constantly improving from project to project.

I’ll put in a plug now for the local university in Winnipeg, MB that has taught me well and can do the same for you! Please refer potential interested individuals to the Winnipeg Web Design Camp page.

I would love to know how you feel on this issue, and if you think the web industry gets the respect it deserves! Also, what would you do to get students interested?