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  • Feb 22, 2020
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    edited

    TLDR:

    I have connections in New York and Los Angeles.

    I want to work in the creative industry.

    I live in Seattle and I am currently 2 years into my Bachelors.

    I'm getting my Bachelors as a backup plan if Creative doesn't work.

    Do I major in a 3 year program to get a guaranteed job?

    Or, do i major in a 2 year program to get the f*** out to New York?


    I want to major in UX Design. Most art/design programs are proprietary. Meaning, you do their own course work and you can't skip ahead. Thus, I have to be in school for three more years if I chose this major.

    I feel like it would be beneficial because I would have a nice, big portfolio created and (theoretically) a job lined up in UX design.

    However, that three years feels kind of long.

    So, I'm considering majoring in something like English or Philosophy to get the f*** out faster.
    However, there's no job (theoretically) lined up. I would have to make it all myself.

    I don't think I necessarily have a problem with that, though. I've always been a self starter.
    I've made two short films and I've taught myself HTML/CSS/Javascript.

    The reason why I feel like I'm in a rush is because I want to move to New York and link up with my friends there.

    They're walking in NYFW and Milan Fashion Week and have all of these connections.

    I really want to get my degree for a backup plan for working in the creative industry.

    I feel like I have enough connections to do so. However, I want a backup plan at the same time.

    However, while I'm achieving that backup plan (Design or Liberal arts degree) , I have a feeling that these connections I have will fade away in the three years I'm here.

    I don't know. What do you guys think I should do?

  • Feb 22, 2020

    So many missed opportunities can happen in those 3 year or not. You could just go back to school if things don’t work out, but you’d probably be struggling more than if you stayed at school. Idk man hard decision

  • Feb 22, 2020

    Honestly even 2 years is a long time nowadays. If I were you I'd try to make it right now and if it doesn't work out you go back to school for 3 years. That 2 year plan is a bad idea either way imo.

    Good luck fam

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply
    space0cadet

    TLDR:

    I have connections in New York and Los Angeles.

    I want to work in the creative industry.

    I live in Seattle and I am currently 2 years into my Bachelors.

    I'm getting my Bachelors as a backup plan if Creative doesn't work.

    Do I major in a 3 year program to get a guaranteed job?

    Or, do i major in a 2 year program to get the f*** out to New York?


    I want to major in UX Design. Most art/design programs are proprietary. Meaning, you do their own course work and you can't skip ahead. Thus, I have to be in school for three more years if I chose this major.

    I feel like it would be beneficial because I would have a nice, big portfolio created and (theoretically) a job lined up in UX design.

    However, that three years feels kind of long.

    So, I'm considering majoring in something like English or Philosophy to get the f*** out faster.
    However, there's no job (theoretically) lined up. I would have to make it all myself.

    I don't think I necessarily have a problem with that, though. I've always been a self starter.
    I've made two short films and I've taught myself HTML/CSS/Javascript.

    The reason why I feel like I'm in a rush is because I want to move to New York and link up with my friends there.

    They're walking in NYFW and Milan Fashion Week and have all of these connections.

    I really want to get my degree for a backup plan for working in the creative industry.

    I feel like I have enough connections to do so. However, I want a backup plan at the same time.

    However, while I'm achieving that backup plan (Design or Liberal arts degree) , I have a feeling that these connections I have will fade away in the three years I'm here.

    I don't know. What do you guys think I should do?

    What do you want to do in the creative industry?

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply

    If you want to do UX, just start doing it.

    You don’t even really need a degree get it later

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply
    Gawpers

    What do you want to do in the creative industry?

    Eh, whatever, really.
    I could be a model.
    I really enjoy filmmaking and photography. That would be my main pursuit. Just basically everything I'm doing right now up here in Seattle.

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply
    PabloThaGod

    If you want to do UX, just start doing it.

    You don’t even really need a degree get it later

    Agreed - I've had this thought process for a lot of things, but I think for UX it would be nice to have a mentor to understand the process first. Do you know much about the industry?

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply
    space0cadet

    Agreed - I've had this thought process for a lot of things, but I think for UX it would be nice to have a mentor to understand the process first. Do you know much about the industry?

    Do the cheapest boot camp you can then start doing gigs for $30/hr and work up from there or get a job somewhere doing it.

    I doubt getting a BA will help much. Universities are so far behind. It’s only in the last year or two they’ve switched from teaching coding with java to JavaScript and some still start you on C or some s***.

    I’m sure UX isn’t any better

    If you get good you can freelance at $100-$150+ an hr and just do art stuff for fun on the side instead of being another starving photographer

  • Feb 22, 2020

    If u decide to stay may as well get a degree thats useful/something u care about (UX)

    Or just leave. But make sure ur making a logical decision and not just chasing a lifestyle u can't support

    Getting some random degree is a waste of time energy and money

  • Feb 22, 2020

    If u wanna be in the film industry u can do that but you'll probably start working cameras or other kinda lower positions

    That's a viable approach tho u can ditch school and push ur vision while working on other ppls projects. If ur persistent u can make it

    Both that and ux are options it's up to u to decide if ur passion for film is so strong that u have to work in that
    industry

    Ideally u focus on one thing at a time. U could focus on school and find urself with job opportunities before graduating or people willing to fund the rest of ur education

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply
    space0cadet

    Eh, whatever, really.
    I could be a model.
    I really enjoy filmmaking and photography. That would be my main pursuit. Just basically everything I'm doing right now up here in Seattle.

    i would just say if you're gonna take that plunge have a bit more intention about what you're going to be pursuing in ny or la.

    there are so many multi hyphenates around who i see struggle. i saw a fairly prominent model panhandling on st marks like 3 months ago

    that being said you can always go back on college in a couple years if things don't work out for you in ny

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply
    PabloThaGod

    Do the cheapest boot camp you can then start doing gigs for $30/hr and work up from there or get a job somewhere doing it.

    I doubt getting a BA will help much. Universities are so far behind. It’s only in the last year or two they’ve switched from teaching coding with java to JavaScript and some still start you on C or some s***.

    I’m sure UX isn’t any better

    If you get good you can freelance at $100-$150+ an hr and just do art stuff for fun on the side instead of being another starving photographer

    I agree. I've considered dropping out many times because I feel like the classes are a waste of my time. I often find myself thinking that I would be much more efficient to learn the subject myself.

    I think I need that basic two year degree, though, just for that checkmark on my resume. It will prevent me from working menial physical labor ever again. Working at a grocery store while I am 40 years old is my worst fear.

    I don't necessarily think I need to get that 3 year super "specialized" degree when I can learn it myself. I saw a statistic that said 50% of people working at tech companies have liberal arts degrees.

    I think you're right -- most of the information they're going to be teaching me is going to be outdated. I think the whole allure to it, instead, is the ethos that your credentials emit.

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply
    space0cadet

    I agree. I've considered dropping out many times because I feel like the classes are a waste of my time. I often find myself thinking that I would be much more efficient to learn the subject myself.

    I think I need that basic two year degree, though, just for that checkmark on my resume. It will prevent me from working menial physical labor ever again. Working at a grocery store while I am 40 years old is my worst fear.

    I don't necessarily think I need to get that 3 year super "specialized" degree when I can learn it myself. I saw a statistic that said 50% of people working at tech companies have liberal arts degrees.

    I think you're right -- most of the information they're going to be teaching me is going to be outdated. I think the whole allure to it, instead, is the ethos that your credentials emit.

    Are u already building a portfolio? If so all school can rly offer u is connections and more xp that u might b able to get solo dolo

    If not u prolly got a ways to go still. I did the programming thing in undergrad and thru professors got a few job opportunities. Idk where u study but that sort of thing is invaluable

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply
    Gawpers

    i would just say if you're gonna take that plunge have a bit more intention about what you're going to be pursuing in ny or la.

    there are so many multi hyphenates around who i see struggle. i saw a fairly prominent model panhandling on st marks like 3 months ago

    that being said you can always go back on college in a couple years if things don't work out for you in ny

    Thanks for your words. Can you expand more on why you believe multi-hyphenates fail? Is it a lack of work ethic?

    I usually work for 9-10 hours a day on whatever pursuit I pick for the day.
    I'm like two weeks ahead in school. I work hard at everything I do each day.
    My off time from school, currently, is spent learning front-end-development to revamp this website I'm making. Going to be designing some shirts and s*** to sell, too.
    That's one form of art.
    I just released my second film a month or two ago.
    Second form of art.

    I am a multi-hyphenate.
    In your opinion, do you think it's because they spread themselves too thin? Is it a marketing issue? What do you think?

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply
    Shammy

    Are u already building a portfolio? If so all school can rly offer u is connections and more xp that u might b able to get solo dolo

    If not u prolly got a ways to go still. I did the programming thing in undergrad and thru professors got a few job opportunities. Idk where u study but that sort of thing is invaluable

    Oh yeah, forsure, I have a portfolio.
    I have an "art' portfolio, with all of my solo project.
    I also have an advertising portfolio -- I've wanted to work in advertising for about two years, but my mind recently switched, so i've got like 2 or 3 little projects in there.
    Nothing in UX right now.

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    1 reply
    space0cadet

    Oh yeah, forsure, I have a portfolio.
    I have an "art' portfolio, with all of my solo project.
    I also have an advertising portfolio -- I've wanted to work in advertising for about two years, but my mind recently switched, so i've got like 2 or 3 little projects in there.
    Nothing in UX right now.

    The wisest approach for u is to pick something and focus only on it. If u have a burning unquenchable desire to work in film then network with ppl in that field perhaps do some camera work ideally some writing and hopefully find opportunities.

    Otherwise I'd say stay in school for ux. U said ur into a couple different fields that's fine but there has to be some common ground between ur interests. like u can pair graphic design for advertising and ux for web dev. Easily that's a great pairing.

  • Feb 22, 2020
    Shammy

    The wisest approach for u is to pick something and focus only on it. If u have a burning unquenchable desire to work in film then network with ppl in that field perhaps do some camera work ideally some writing and hopefully find opportunities.

    Otherwise I'd say stay in school for ux. U said ur into a couple different fields that's fine but there has to be some common ground between ur interests. like u can pair graphic design for advertising and ux for web dev. Easily that's a great pairing.

    Thank you for your words, that makes sense.

  • Feb 22, 2020
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    edited
    space0cadet

    Thanks for your words. Can you expand more on why you believe multi-hyphenates fail? Is it a lack of work ethic?

    I usually work for 9-10 hours a day on whatever pursuit I pick for the day.
    I'm like two weeks ahead in school. I work hard at everything I do each day.
    My off time from school, currently, is spent learning front-end-development to revamp this website I'm making. Going to be designing some shirts and s*** to sell, too.
    That's one form of art.
    I just released my second film a month or two ago.
    Second form of art.

    I am a multi-hyphenate.
    In your opinion, do you think it's because they spread themselves too thin? Is it a marketing issue? What do you think?

    From what I’ve seen it’s from spreading themselves too thin and/or a lack of focus. I’ve seen people moving on from things too soon, abandoning projects, starting new s*** constantly, etc.

    I think marketing can be an issue well when you have several different pursuits. Peter Saville has had regrets about this in his own career.

    Personally, I just think it’s almost impossible to master multiple trades at once. and I find that being an expert at one thing opens way more doors than being pretty good at several things.

    Just my experience though. Seems like you’re willing to grind to make your dreams happen no matter what, so that’s a huge start.

  • Feb 22, 2020

    Make sure your portfolio is 10/10. As the other poster said, you can start to learn UX on your own.

    in the long run not having a bachelor's will be used as an excuse to not pay you what you're worth, but if your connections are as good as you say I'd roll the dice

  • Feb 22, 2020

    Technically yeah

  • Feb 23, 2020

    go to full sail university for design. you can’t get a bachelors degree in 2 years there depending on the thing you’re choosing.