requirements to become a graphic designer Help...

[XtremeX]

Hello guys
I am new to this forum. I have read some issues of this wonderfull mag when I was in India .Now I am in Dubai. I am running a photo studio/lab with my dad.
recently I was thinking of doing some other job while correspondingly managing my dad's business.I saw many job offering in news papers recently that there are many job offers for post of graphics designers in UAE.Since it was what I was doing earlier I thought I can persue this career
But I don't know what r the requirement for being a pro graphic designer
What all softwares one have to learn to become a pro in this field.
I have completed a course in web designing focussing mainly photoshop, flash , dream weaver etc
I have tried Illustrator and it seemed like a walk in the park because I had much experience in photoshop.
Also while working in Studio I have learned the a variety of works in photoshop as it is the main tool in my business.
But I am a perfect novice concerning 3DS MAX . I have heard it is very important to be a expert in this software if u want to persue
this profession
I do not want to learn this by going to some institutions as I have heard that the trainers here are absolute mudheads and courses r expensive both on time and money
So I do not want to take a chance on this. it will be great If U guys can Give some links to video tutorials or atleast text tutorials that i can download and learn all the
required softwares
I got the 3DS MAx software but it seems so complex to digest. that is why I am asking U guys
If there are other softwares which I have to learn please input that information also

Also if there are professionals working in this field Than please input ur valuable advices so that I can also follow ur path. If anyone know good websites/ forums featuring articles regarding graphic designing please provide links here.
Till now I could not find a guy working in this field in this forum.

 

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