I decided to become a 3D animator in 1999/2000. I was already sort of working in the field, animating type and simple things for a game company in Chicago that makes trivia games and other interactive experiences. I thought I could learn 3D animation on the job, but there was always way too much Flash work to do and I didn’t find the time.

I got laid off in 2001, then taught myself 3dstudiomax well enough to make a demo. I did an awful lot of job searching but didn’t have much luck. The economy sucked, and my reel was thin. Through a former co-worker, I finally landed a contract job to make a web home run baseball game, which would have required simple 3D and Flash. I would have had to learn a bit on the job, but I felt confident that I had the skills to pull it off. I felt like I was on my way.

Within 2 weeks of landing this job, I was in a car accident that seriously injured my non-dominant hand. I had a broken bone, many severed tendons and nerves and lots of skin grafts. I was in the hospital for 9 days and had months of therapy. I wasn’t able to spend a full day on the computer for about 4 months. I was so intent on making sure I made the most of my therapy to regain as much function as possible that I could not think about how unfortunate it was that I wasn’t able to work on that job.

I was very lucky. I had a great surgeon and occupational therapist, and a truly supportive family and circle of friends. I can pretty much use my hand in almost every way I could before. There are little things I can’t do, like button buttons with my left hand, but that’s about it. I can type and do key commands without any discomfort, which is all I needed for 3D work.

I found another web job 10 months after the accident. It was okay, but it wasn’t 3D. I wasn’t sure what to do. I felt like I was too old for school (I was 34 at the time), but a smart, free-spirited friend told me I absolutely wasn’t. I asked my extremely kind, patient and generous boyfriend at the time if he would want to move somewhere to go to school with me, and he agreed.

So a year later, I went to Sheridan College, learned Maya, and haven’t looked back. I now work at a network in Manhattan. The work is not quite what I’m looking for (character and high-end broadcast design), but it’s much closer than I was before.

I was lucky to have the support and faith of my boyfriend (now husband), my family and friends. I am so lucky and happy to continue on this path. If I can do it, so can you!!