Patrick Letrondo Markulis
Industry Art Works
Redondo Beach, CA USA
"Once I realized what I really wanted, I was able to motivate myself."
Career Roadmap
Patrick's work combines: Art, Film, and Being Creative
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Communications (Photocomm)
California State University, Fullerton
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Photo Specialist:
Bachelor's Degree: Communications (Photocomm)
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
First, I was motivated when I started to realize my potential when I was consistently making it into the top three photos in the photo critiques that took place in one of my classes.
2.
Then, soon after marrying my husband, he was in the hospital for a little while and I had to go to my classes in Fullerton, and drive to see him everyday at the hospital he was at in Irvine.
3.
Then, I gave a presentation that I was very scared to do, where I created a Covergirl rebrand campaign, showcasing how makeup can empower people of all backgrounds and gender identities.
4.
Then, after the presentation, my professor told me that I shouldn't limit myself to just retouching, because they saw that I was capable of so much more than that.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
After interning for a big ad company, I was told that I didn't have a specific place there, that my skills didn't fit what they needed. I started to believe I was too inexperienced to get my foot in the door in the first place.
How I responded:
I dealt with discouragement by honing my skills—for fun and for work. The only way to not feel inexperienced was to just get experience! I kept practicing, shooting, and editing. Through school and friends, I learned there actually was a market for my skills. They gave me something to hope for while I searched and worked on my hirability. I also did other things I love that are unrelated to *getting hired* that I was proud of. Keep working and find people who believe in you when you don't.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I've overcome my struggles with distractions by seeing the possibility of my career. Once I realized what I really wanted I was able to motivate myself to start working harder in all of my classes, not just the ones directly related to my career.
As an LGBT son of immigrants, I was simultaneously written off for my career choice and my lifestyle. It's hard to be a creative in a house where you fear being judged. Find places and people on campus where you feel safe and can create.