Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (Full Version)

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PhrozenPhoenix -> Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/8/2008 6:48:47 AM)

I'm 25 (well in a month) and I still don't know what to do with my life.[&:] I've been working my butt off for the past two years saving just about every penny and saved up almost... well I could buy a very, very expensive car [:D]... Anyway it was for school but now I don't know what to do =/ I had plans to be an animator/director but I just like to draw.. not animate every frame (and much more complicated character designs then whats in most american cartoons anyway). Never was even motivated enough to look into those types of schools anyway so I guess thats a red flag. And I'm afraid to go to some sort of film school cause that could easily just end up being a big waste of money. Plus my heart really isn't in directing anymore. I don't see me being able to do anything I wanted cause the creative leverage you have is so restricted in that field. As for anything else I can think of I'm not even remotely interested in... unless you could make like skydiving a career or something :P

Anyway, any advice what I should do? I absolutely hate my current job. It pays well but I hate it. I really don't wanna stay there forever... its insanely boring and frustrating.



Miss Giggles -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/8/2008 8:04:03 AM)

Well if you designed what is in your avatar then that is pretty good.

What kind of skills do you have ? What is your current job? There are other jobs which use creativity in business.. so it doesn't necessarily have to be an either/or thing. You can always be an artist on the side. do you have any interest in web design? They always need people that know Photoshop, etc.



BlueAdept -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/8/2008 10:55:19 AM)

PhrozenPhoenix,
My best advice is, find something you love to do and do it.

What is your passion? What really lights you up?

When you find that area, and there really is no huge rush, then follow that path. There is not too many things worse than having a great paying job that you really hate, maybe having a horrible paying job that you hate....

You are likely correct that going to a directing school would be a waist, unless that is something you really enjoy.

You know yourself, and you know what you love and what you hate. I enjoy working with numbers, but that likely is not something you would like. So for me to tell you what you should study, or go find a job in, would be wrong for you (and me).



PhrozenPhoenix -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/8/2008 4:02:28 PM)

Umm no I didn't do my avatar >.< Not THAT good. I just draw more simple cartoon anime and western comic book style art. That was just part of a poster from one of my favorite movies, The Dark Crystal :P

Well I do enjoy filmmaking its just something I don't really see a future in. Same with animation. Or anything in the "art" department. You only get anywhere in that if you're lucky otherwise its just a hobby. But being frustrated about what I'm gonna do, I don't really have any motivation to get into hobbies unless I know its gonna take me somewhere. It just feels like a time sink otherwise.

The way I see it there is a rush... I can't live here anymore, I can't stand my job (btw its a Sour Cream production plant and they work you to death. My hours suck too), and I'm getting old >.<



I_Walk_Alone -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/8/2008 5:07:41 PM)

Are you interested in Digital Media and Design? That includes doing alot of drawing all the way up to website design. I have known alot of artists who have gone in that direction



Florida_Mom_27 -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/8/2008 11:59:57 PM)

Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado is a good book to help you figure out what your job/calling is.



blessedinnyc -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/9/2008 9:55:26 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PhrozenPhoenix

I'm 25 (well in a month) and I still don't know what to do with my life.[&:] I've been working my butt off for the past two years saving just about every penny and saved up almost... well I could buy a very, very expensive car [:D]... Anyway it was for school but now I don't know what to do =/ I had plans to be an animator/director but I just like to draw.. not animate every frame (and much more complicated character designs then whats in most american cartoons anyway). Never was even motivated enough to look into those types of schools anyway so I guess thats a red flag. And I'm afraid to go to some sort of film school cause that could easily just end up being a big waste of money. Plus my heart really isn't in directing anymore. I don't see me being able to do anything I wanted cause the creative leverage you have is so restricted in that field. As for anything else I can think of I'm not even remotely interested in... unless you could make like skydiving a career or something :P

Anyway, any advice what I should do? I absolutely hate my current job. It pays well but I hate it. I really don't wanna stay there forever... its insanely boring and frustrating.

Well, there's a reason they call work, well work. Unless you are a trader, emergency room doctor, teacher in the inner-city, or maybe work in the church, most jobs aren't all that exciting.

You have a lot of money; ever considered starting a small business of some sort?



stimulus -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/10/2008 2:25:31 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PhrozenPhoenix

Well I do enjoy filmmaking its just something I don't really see a future in. Same with animation. Or anything in the "art" department. You only get anywhere in that if you're lucky otherwise its just a hobby. But being frustrated about what I'm gonna do, I don't really have any motivation to get into hobbies unless I know its gonna take me somewhere. It just feels like a time sink otherwise.


If you insist on only doing your art for work, it can be very difficult to make a living. However, if you're open to using your artistic skills commercially, that's an entirely different ball game.

I make my living leading a media team that produces videos, designs all sorts of printed materials, writes articles, and designs\authors website materials - for a group of missionaries, no less. So it's a pretty stinking cool job. [:D]

quote:

ORIGINAL: blessedinnyc

Well, there's a reason they call work, well work. Unless you are a trader, emergency room doctor, teacher in the inner-city, or maybe work in the church, most jobs aren't all that exciting.


While I love my job, I've got to agree with this statement. It can be particularly hard for creative people to put their creative skills to work simply because you can't always do your own thing, it has to be done by a deadline, it has to be under budget, etc.

It would be more fun, more meaningful, to be able to only design and produce the materials I want to at work. But then it wouldn't be work - it would be my hobby.

The question is, would you be happier creating artwork for the packaging and advertisements for your sour cream company instead of working at the production plant? Their will still be parts of it you find boring and dislike - their are parts of my job that I detest - but is it better than the alternative?



rgod -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/11/2008 4:15:27 AM)

quote:

Well I do enjoy filmmaking its just something I don't really see a future in. Same with animation. Or anything in the "art" department. You only get anywhere in that if you're lucky otherwise its just a hobby.


I disagree with this. I think it depends a lot on where you live. For example, in Orlando (home of Disney), there are lots of jobs for artists. If art is your passion as well as directing, then check out schools in an area where there are jobs in those areas. The advantage of going to a good school is that there are usually internships and you can explore different specializations and broaden your view of what you can do with your giftings. You might find yourself drawn to other fields as well such as cinematography, photography or even set design. Or you might find that you are good enough to have your pieces shown in a gallery. Or maybe you'll enjoy working with prototypes where you can be a lot more creative. Or you might love the storyboarding part of the film process.

There are lots of things you can do with training in art and directing/producing. You can apply those skills to video game design (check out www.gamasutra.com for career guides etc. - this is a 6 billion dollar industry), medical imaging, training applications, marketing/advertising, television/film (especially special effects which requires many artists and people who specialize in 3D design) and much more. Graphic novels (comics) is also a growing field and illustrators are always needed for that. Check out schools in Florida, Arizona, California, and I think New York and possibly Seattle. (There might be other areas too, but I'm not sure - you'll have to research).

I made the mistake of being too practical when I was a bit younger than you and didn't pursue what was in my heart. The Lord is good in that he is allowing me to pursue what I love now. But back then I listened to well-meaning people who didn't have a clue as to what it meant to make a life in the arts or to follow the Lord. I still wrote for a living, but didn't do a lot of the things that I really wanted to do - but instead focused on things that I don't like or am particularly good at - like programming - because I wanted to be practical. I was miserable and unproductive. Money is important - but it is not everything (trust me, I KNOW this by experience). What I didn't understand back then is that there is a way to be practical and still pursue the things that you love. For example, to increase your chances of getting a job - try also getting training in some areas that your peers might not pursue. For example if you can write as well - work on that too. Or if you have managerial skill - perhaps getting some business training (these could be areas where you could get a minor) would be helpful. Know that things have changed a lot over the years. If you love art, this is the time you can make a living doing it. Even if it is designing ads in a magazine or creating flash commercials online, there is a lot that you can do if you have the proper training. There is nothing wrong with employing your skills during the day as an artist where you are a bit more restricted - while you are working towards producing your own artwork on the side. So you might start off doing some of the grunt work of animation (frame by frame - although I don't think they do that anymore since you can use software to tween between major character movements), but that can open the door for you to do other things. You've got to think of the big picture. And beyond all of that, the world DESPERATELY needs more Christian artists - don't overlook your calling or the ability for God to open doors for someone who is listening to Him and who is committed to doing His work.

And don't despise the days of small beginnings. You might start out doing something that you sort of like but aren't crazy about - and it might lead to other things. Working in an artistic environment will put you in contact with other artists with whom you can collaborate with after the work day is done. You'll also learn about opportunities and outlets for your art. And you never know where something like that will lead.

People are making a living creating art every day - so why can't one of those people be you? Pray - if this is the passion and desire that God has put in you, trust Him. Learn your craft thoroughly so that you can be excellent and have the courage to walk through the doors of opportunity that He places in your path.



Katie-Scarlet -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/11/2008 5:21:17 AM)

quote:

Umm no I didn't do my avatar >.< Not THAT good. I just draw more simple cartoon anime and western comic book style art. That was just part of a poster from one of my favorite movies, The Dark Crystal :P


Since you mentioned comic books have you looked into how they are done. I don't know if they are hand drawn or have gone the way of technology like movies but its something to try. You could create your own comic book characters and try to sell them or create your own line of comic books. Maybe create a christian comic and then sell them to christian book stores. Just some ideas I have no real idea of how the comic book world works.



PhrozenPhoenix -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/11/2008 8:32:37 AM)

Well thanks for that rgod... theres a lot of stuff there I didn't think about and many possibilities. I do realize I worry too much and have always been the pessimistic one... especially with stuff like this when it comes to stuff like this rather than just stepping out and just seeing where God takes me with it. And stop worrying and trying to make everything happen in my time >.<



Theophile2 -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/11/2008 9:19:13 AM)

Since you have plenty saved up for a rainy day ... Have you ever thought of just taking a "short" pause for a month (or two or three) and go on a missions trip? I don't think a mission's trip would bust your bank, and it might give you time to pause and pray about where God is leading you. You are 25 and hardly in the realm of getting old. This would be a great time for you to take a strategic pause.

Blessings ...

[sm=icon_smile_fish.gif]



iluvatar -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/11/2008 9:30:19 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod
There are lots of things you can do with training in art and directing/producing. You can apply those skills to video game design (check out www.gamasutra.com for career guides etc. - this is a 6 billion dollar industry)


Yep. I'm currently trying to get into the game industry, and those guys are ALWAYS looking for artists (programmers, too, but apparently not so much for audio guys [:@] ). The industry's booming and with the constant push to improve graphics, artists are always going to be needed.

In addition to gamasutra, check out gamedevmap.com to find game studios in your area. I'm in Boston, which has a vibrant, but relatively small game development community - I counted at least 8 different studios advertising some sort of art position just here in town.

-Dan.



APZR -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/11/2008 12:50:58 PM)

Being young, just try something for the fun of it. Your career will change several times in your life... you'll start off doing one thing, and doors will open to lead you to another area that you've never thought of.



locomom -> RE: Don't know what to do with my life... advice? (8/17/2008 12:50:45 PM)

You need to know two things. As others have mentioned you need to know what you are good at and what you enjoy, however you also need to know what motivates you. Motivation refers to the why you want to foll this career and where you want to do it. It has to do with what will keep you going to work each day. For example, I like math, but pure academics doesn't motivate me. I would like to teach, but the idea of dealing with a classroom full of kids gives me the willies, and I get tired in that kind of commotion. Therefore I am preparing myself for tutoring.



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