Working at the new company 

Working at the new company was exciting and fun. This was one of the biggest and oldest graphic art and visual presentations company in the heart of the nation’s Capital. He learned a variety of techniques and became aware of many different types of equipment that weren't available at Mr. Bond. He made many new artist friends who helped and inspired him to excel.

Their friendships were genuine and carried over to after hours. This was a new and exciting world of graphic art and artists. He was welcomed by all other designers as one of their own. He was invited to their homes and their parties.

He excelled at his new job and as a designer. One of the techniques he learns was a gouache painting method that was being used to assist NASA visuals space exploration via paintings. As in those days, there were no computers and everything was painted by hands. He used this technique to create many thought-provoking surrealistic paintings, depicting outer space and human imaginations and quest of the unknown.

He was determined to advance his career by obtaining a job in the television art department and the world of movies and television productions. A well respected, prestigious, and sought after position. But in those days, there were only three major networks and two other regional networks. He kept an eye for any job opening in television in the Washington Post's wanted ads. But there weren't any.

He was resolute to get in and was going to resort to unconventional ways to get in. As he believed the conventional means were too slow for any rapid advancements. At the company, he spent his spare time and prepared another portfolio designing visuals for television as he needed to have something that could get his foot into the door.

He was even teased by his artists' colleagues asking, "are you just going to demand a job from them when there are no openings?" Which he answered by a question, "do you know of any better way?"

After nearly a year working at his new job, and once he had his portfolio ready, he called every station and asked if they had any openings. The answers were always no. But he insisted on coming in and showing his portfolio for any future job openings. Believe it or not, he was successful and got appointments to meet with the art directors of every station, but was reminded that currently, there was no opening, which he knew and accepted.

He met and impressed all of the art directors with his portfolio and expressed their sorrow for not having any opening and promised him to keep him on the top of their hiring lists. He was always appreciative of their time and kindness and left with the satisfaction of a job well done and hope of an opening.

He even called television stations in New York, seeking interviews, but received the same answer of they had no openings. However, he was able to convince an art director at the NBC station in Manhattan for an interview. The man reluctantly accepted but told him that he had no opening. But Rock insisted that the interview was going to be very beneficial to him even if there was no opening.

He asked his friend to go with him. Using the popular “Road Atlas” and painstakingly mapped out their way to the place – as, in those days, there were no GPS and “MapQuest.” They drove to Manhattan and arrived just in time to go to the meeting. Again, Murphy's law prevailed. Once they got to the busy streets of Manhattan and found their way to the Rockefeller Plaza where the NBC was located, they faced the street closing for the Saint Patrick's Day’s parade. Not knowing how to detour to get there, Rock asked his friend to let him out there for him to run over to the building a half a block away rather than taking the chance of getting lost and be late to the interview.

Rock grabbed his portfolio, his tie, and jacket, and began to run toward the building. He got there with 10 minutes to spare. He jumped into the elevator and went up to the eleventh floor. He first found the bathroom and put his tie and jacket on, and took a deep breath calming his nerves. After a few minutes, he walked over to his office and gently rapped at the door. He was invited in, and after greeting the art director, reviewed his portfolio and expressed his amazement for the quality of Rock’s designs and told him, “he wished he could hire him right then and there, as his work was outstanding.” He promised Rock that he’ll discuss it with his boss to see if they could create a position for him.

Rock thanked him for his time and left with a gleam of hope that he may get a job.

He met up with his friend, who had found his way back to the Plazza and was waiting for him. He got in the car, and they drove back home.

There was only one more interview he had scheduled as he had already met with the four at the five stations. This interview with WTTG-5 was delayed due to the art director's travel schedule to the end of the month. Somewhat apprehensive, he thought this is his last chance, and he should mentally prepare himself and think positive in presenting himself.

He took a day off from his job at the company and prepared for the interview. On the day of the meeting, he went for a long walk by the Iwo Jima Memorial near his home. It was a beautiful sunny spring day. There was no one around as it was a workday. He laid down on the stone step at the feet of the monument and relaxed his mind for a few minutes, imagining the effort and courage it took for the soldiers to raise the flag – fighting your way to the top. That reminded him that nothing comes easy, and he, too, must fight his way to the top. He walked back to his apartment refreshed and much more determined to perform his best at his last interview.