I'm Having Trouble Planning My Life... Please Help!

[ejb190]

I'm going to throw in my two cents.

When I was a Teaching Assistant in Horticulture, I noticed that two of my students in a Plant Propagation class were Business majors. So I cornered them and asked them why they were in my Horticulture class. Turns out both of these guys come from families who run greenhouses and have been around it all their lives. They decided that they really couldn't learn that much from a Horticulture degree, so they got into a program that could really benefit the family business when they got out - Business and Marketing. But they did take a few Horticulture classes to round out the electives.

My point is this. If you are as good as you say you are, why not get a business degree (or journalism, or something else related) and take some of your art and design classes on the side? (A minor?)

And from my own experience, don't discount the value and reputation of a local, state college. I graduated from Purdue and Penn State. The further away from these schools you get the more prestigious they seem to be.

 

[Z.Beeblebrox]

If you're not from a rich background, and you have to pay I dunno, $100k over 4 years to attend a decent uni, then yes it's probably not worth it.

I disagree. In my case it was worth it and my family was no where near wealthy. After college I landed my dream job in NYC (one of the hardest markets to get into). I didn't have to settle for some position on the bottom rung of the ladder at a design agency. I never had to make coffee or run errands or work my way up from peon to designer. I never had to settle for something less than what I wanted to do and what I wanted to earn. Was it worth $100K? You bet it was.

 

[RedTomato]

I disagree. In my case it was worth it and my family was no where near wealthy. After college I landed my dream job in NYC (one of the hardest markets to get into). I didn't have to settle for some position on the bottom rung of the ladder at a design agency. I never had to make coffee or run errands or work my way up from peon to designer. I never had to settle for something less than what I wanted to do and what I wanted to earn. Was it worth $100K? You bet it was.

Up to you. I'm happy it worked out for you. BTW $100k is just a guess on my part. I have no idea what the real figure is. A bit of googling reveals Harvard charges over $40k per year, including room and board. But that 70% of their students are on some sort of aid package.

Other universities seem to charge between $4k to $30k per year, with students from the same state charged about half of what out-of-state students pay.

 

[fluidedge]

it's a tough system - i can see why parents save up all their lives to help their kids out.

We're lucky in the UK that the government subsidizes uni education hugely.

 

[Z.Beeblebrox]

Up to you. I'm happy it worked out for you. BTW $100k is just a guess on my part. I have no idea what the real figure is.

Savannah College of Art and Design tuition is $22,950 for one academic year. The meal plan is $3,555. Housing costs average $6,390. With books and supplies, you're running around $35,000 per year. I saved thousands by opting to live on my own with roommates and buy groceries. I also got the Henderson scholarship for keeping up my grades. In the end, I paid out about $95,000 for four years with a mixture of personal savings, financial aid, scholarships and a one-time grant.

 

[miguel mouse!]

Nobody else is being mean to you, so I will.

You sound like someone who is ignorant of the world, who never got out of your room, never played a sport, built something, read a novel or understands anything beyond your little pixel world.

There are zillions of kids all over the world just like you. They populate cubicles in every country. They can all do the usual comic book action heroes, video game monsters, cars and, when mom isn't looking, hot virtual women.

Ho, hum, without vision you are just painting by numbers. Not impressive. Not good for high incomes or job security because some kid from Boratland will come through the door and do what you do, probably with more education and a wider vision. And cheaper. Bye.

That "Liberal Art BS" is precisely what you need. Part of it is that wider view thing, but also learning how to organize your life, complete assignments and jump through hoops. Employers like that. They have enough problems with babysitting clueless nerds.

I would specifically suggest a liberal arts bs college for you. The cheapest school will do, but try to avoid a commuter college. They don't give you the college experience you need.

And, when you go, try to hang with different people and try different things. Get intimate with an actual human or two. Your art, career and life will be better, or at least has a chance to be. You will thank me, the anonymous nasty poster from long ago.

yes! time for a reality check. knowing how to use photoshop does not make you a great designer. there are thousands of young kids, like you, that play around with photoshop at home. you're going to need an edge when you all start competing for the same jobs.

it sounds like you need to put your mac to sleep once in a while and spend some time reading various design books, magazines, monographs, websites and blogs. learn what is expected from a designer besides having the latest adobe programs.

and let me tell you, you may think you have CS3 mastered, but when you actually work at a design firm, the usual rookie mistakes will kick your a**!

but the good thing is that you are so determined at such a young age.

 

[ski2moro]

No, the government doesn't pay for your schooling. The government just spends YOUR tax money after taking their cut.

Both corporations AND individuals pay incredibly high taxes to the government. If doesn't matter which corporation is writing out the tax payment check to your government, they are still passing along their tax debt to you every time you buy their products and are taxed again.


To the OP, I vote for a Business Degree or Technical (Engineering or Architecture) Degree for undergrad. A BS in with Graphic Arts focus makes you more valuable to your employer than a Graphic Arts Degree alone. Let your portfolio speak for your talents and let your degree show that you can apply yourself in the right direction for business.

Later, if you want to change your hobby, you still have your business degree. I agree with the others that graphical arts students are quite common. (Translation: Work your tail off for very little pay.)

Just my $.02.

 

[Z.Beeblebrox]

A BS in with Graphic Arts focus makes you more valuable to your employer than a Graphic Arts Degree alone.

Actually, it depends on who the employer is and what part of the industry you work in. There are many positions where a business degree won't get you anywhere.

I agree with the others that graphical arts students are quite common. (Translation: Work your tail off for very little pay.)

This is totally untrue. All my friends from art college are working happily in well-paying jobs across the country. Hell, one of my friends, Jason, works for Shepard Fairy. If you love it and have passion for what you do, you shouldn't have to settle for less than what you want. Education included.