Southeast alumnus breaks into his field after 10 years

Michael Thomas, a 2004 Southeast Missouri State University graduate, is working as a freelance photographer, however, he did not get his start until 2014.

After graduating with a degree in mass communications corporate video with a minor in graphic communications technology, he worked for Edward Jones Investments as a help desk technician for about six years.

"I've had different various jobs since I left SEMO," Thomas said. "I kind of got out and I was substitute teaching for a while, then I worked in the school district as a teacher's assistant then transitioned into corporate IT work then decided to go in and follow my dream and jump out and do photography full time."

Kneeling left, Michael Thomas photographs President Barack Obama as he signs bill S. 535 Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015 in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 30, 2015.AP Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Thomas said the jump from the corporate world to becoming a freelancer wasn't easy to make.

"As Americans we have the constant every two-week paycheck that we depend on," Thomas said. "So now you jump and you know, you work enough this month to make your bills but it's not every two weeks. When you jump into the freelance world usually it's about 30 days to get paid after you do the work. Just kind of getting adjusted to that was a big struggle for me because my wife depends on me. My responsibilities I have to keep up on and maintained despite two-week pay schedule like most Americans."

Thomas said when he graduated college he hoped to work in his chosen field, but having to "pay bills and cover responsibilities" led him to find a job outside his field.

Since he started to freelance he has worked for Wal-mart, Starbucks, The Associated Press, Getty Images, Frito Lay and European PressPhoto Agency.

From local events, world events, political events and sporting events, Thomas said his favorite type of photography has started to change a little.

"As odd as it may seem, I've been around world leaders and everything like that, but now I'm really kind of taking a liking to food photography," Thomas said. "That's kind of what I really want to focus on in 2017."

Thomas advises students looking to work in fields like him to make sure that assignments taken on are worth it and that they stay connected to the things they like to do.

"The biggest advice is know your work," Thomas said. "Know your work, don't be taken advantage of or allow yourself to be taken advantage of because you want to be out here."