Venting About My Frustrating Life...

[Riso-chan]

So here's the story, in 2004, I graduated college with an Associate's degree in computer animation. I had first entered this private art college in hopes of fullfilling dreams of creating my own films, maybe get into anime somehow. Those dreams were soon crushed when I learned animators are paid a dime a dozen and given little to no creative input.
It also often takes one a decade or more to even get tht high in the ladder of a company. And get this, most animators are on a contract that only lasts about 3 years, then your let go. Not to mention that larger companies cut tons of jobs in the blink of an eye. Oh, and they tell me that most companies won't even hire someone unless they have a Bachelor's degree because a two year degree is just not enough only when I'm almost at graduation. There are almost no animation companies near me, and I can't exactly move to another location until I have a secure job and income.

So, I've completely given up on a career in animation, and believe me, letting that go hurt, but I had to realize that I had limitations. In my courses alone, I often got to close to deadlines before completing work, my 2D animation wasn't that clean, and I was no good at 3D modeling or animating. I'm actually half surprised I even passed. Now, both my parents and I have depts to pay for a degree that will likely never be used.

So, I resigned to look for a job of more reasonable expectations of myself, graphic design mainly. Did that job hunt for almost a year, found nothing at all. Either they want someone with experience, or that uses a program/s I don't. Then, I dropped my standards once again to look for run of the mill jobs, a fish store, data entry, drugstore clerk, etc. Haven't heard anything yet.
Today, I tried checking into the fish & wildlife service to see if there was anything there I could do, since I have an affinity for wildlife. Nothing again. Only volunteer work, no pay.
Currently, I'm waiting to hear back fro one job offer that said they'd get back to me in a few weeks, there I might be able to do some design work. I'm not getting my hopes up too high, I done that too many times only to be let down.
Now I honestly wonder that if I hadn't gone to the community college in my area and studied something in biology or wildlife my life wouldn't at least be a little different. I wish I had, because I probably would've made more of a difference somewhere by now, even if it was to some creatures.

I no longer aim very high in any dreams I have left for any art career, I am only sticking to practical means. I often apply the same princibal to other aspects of life such as not wanting many material things, no big cars, just a small apartment in which to live, etc.
But now, even this seems unattainable. My life has remained in limbo for over two years now looking for something that will earn money and eventually allow me to move out on my own one day. It really doesn't ever feel like any of that will happen at all right now.
I just feel like giving up on live completely, and throwing it all away. In a way, I envy other people my age who can go out at night get drunk, high, or whatever and just not care about anything. How is it that people who actually want to do something productive with their lives are dealt such cruel circumstances? What the hell is my purpose then?
Thanx to those who read my words of emotional venting.~Angela

 

[mishi8]

A career in the arts, any type of art, is a long road, and doesn't often pay that well in the beginning. Sometimes you need to be "creative" in the type of work that you're looking for. Maybe there is an art-related job that you haven't discovered yet?

I trained as a graphic designer, and didn't end up with a job in that career right away...there just wasn't the job availability where I was living at the time. But I got back into it a few years later...upgraded my computer skills (when I trained in GD, computers were still a very new thing and not used as much in the industry!), and found a good position. Not a glamorous position, but one that paid well and gave me a wealth of experience.

If I were you, I wouldn't give up on an artistic career, be prepared to work your way up the ladder. Take the job you need to pay the bills right now, but still keep looking for the right job to get into the animation/graphic design/industrial design/etc industry. Look at companies that aren't typically "art" related...computer/manufacturing/marketing/etc companies that need an in-house or contract designer or illustrator, non-profits companies that need an artistic volunteer, etc. Take the time to do informational interviews and find out what you need to do to get in. You'll be surprised how many people are willing to give you time just to talk about potential career opportunities.

You'll get there Riso-chan. Don't give up!

 

[sumthin fishy]

Starving artist! Im sure you've heard the term, and it didnt come arround by accident. Anytime you take up an art, and try to make it into a job, you run a high risk of loosing where money is concerned. But if it is something you truely love then stick with it!!!!! The joy you will get from doing far outweighs anything money can buy! Even if you settle in to a go-nowhere job, but it's enough to buy your pencils/paper/paint/clay/insert-media-of-choice-here you will, or at least should be happy.

Alluding to giving up on life, I will assume you just mean giving up on hopes for
diong something with your life. If thats the case, well its your choice. But if its what I hope it isn't, suicide is a permanant fix for a temporary problem!!!!!

Far too many people drill into our heads that we cannot be happy unless we are rich. As a child growing up, I wanted so bad to be a professional musician. We could not afford lessons or even a cheap guitar for me to teach myself for the longest time. Now I have 4 guitars, 3 amplifiers, and various tools/gizmos to make the music I enjoy. I am not, nor do I think I will ever be, rich from my passion. But every day, when I get home from work, I pick up Sherry, or Jenifer, and run a few penatonics across her fretboards, and I am in a place no money could ever put me.

Want another one? My brother loved working on cars. So much that he went to school for it, and currently is working at a high end shop making decent money. Now the thought of doing an oilchange on his own car, (once something he looked forward to very much) is a pain in the butt for him. Why do it if he's not getting paid?!? I hope your artwork does not fall into this cattegory if you do end up making millions off of it.

Remember Riso, that Beetles song.........say you don't need no diamond rings and I'll be satisfied.

 

[DirkW]

In high school I entertained thoughts of becoming a professional musician. I went about talking to as many professional musicians as I could find. There's a reason that "starving artist" is a cliche. I eventually settled on a career in computers. I may not become rich, but I'm the sole provider for my wife and our seven kids. I couldn't have done that as a musician.

If you want to support yourself and possibly a significant other, I strongly suggest you turn your efforts to commercial art. A corporate job is not selling out, but is providing resources so that you can persue what you most enjoy.

 

[DirkW]

Fishy, you beat me to the post!

 

[budrecki]

Angela,

You didn't spend $40,000 and go to the DAVE school did you?#@!
What a rip off.

The job market in central florida is beyond tight. My husband is a 3d animator, and also happens to be an architect. His company does work for the military. Not as artistically fulfilling as EA GAMES, but it sure pays the bills.

 

[jennypenny]

I and most of my friend are recently out of college (or are about to be). I understand what a burden debt can be. My husband and I are working on his debt from law school as well as some personal debt. Lucky, most school debt is low-interest and can be put off or reduced if you are really in need. However, you would be amazed what you can live off of if you have too. I have plenty of friends that have more than one job and a crappy apartment. Both my husband and I have two jobs. I work part time as an after school teacher (great job, but little pay and not the same as having my own classroom), and sub whenever I can. My hubby works part time for the county and spends the rest of the time try to start his own business. I recommend moving where ever you have too. I also understand trying to find a job in a community where there are few to be found
Plus, the great thing about the art career is that there are many way to find an in including through free lancing. You may not get an animation job, but there are great things out there. I know I just said I'm a teacher, but I understand being an amateur artist (trying to find my own niche) and my mom has worked in the art world as a wall paper designer, graphic designer, teacher, muralist, and buy selling her own work. Remember that you can create art even if it isn't your job. If you have an awesome portfolio all sorts of businesses might give you some kind of work. Being a part time Wal-Mart employee and a part time artist could be possible. Keep all possibilities open.

 

[jennypenny]

Good luck!

 

[sumthin fishy]

Another thought, my grandma loves to work with plastic canvas. She makes a pretty penny peddling her products in the park, in front of grocery stores, etc. I also have a friend who draws amazing pencil scetches, and will do them for $5 a piece at the local bar.

 

[hurricanejedi]

My fiance has a BS in Zoology and was interested in getting into the Fish & Wildlife too but the people we talked to said that the job turnover is never until someone retires. So much for that. You really do have to be a vet to work in a zoo too. He was really depressed upon graduation because it was the same thing your going through, need experience or won't get hired.

But now its different. He has all new goals towards what he wants to do in the future. But landing the first job was tough.

All I can recommend is hit every contracting/temporary agency in your area. Those people are paid to find you a job. That could be temp that leads to permanent, or it could be temp that leads to real work experience. Either way its the best thing to getting started for getting those first few jobs under your belt. I contracted for 2 years at a large pharma company before being hired full time. He was a temp hire for 3 months at a lab and was hired full-time. They get a small cut off of your paycheck while you are contracting through them but you can still get really good pay and who knows? You might find something you really like and never expected. Either way as a temp job you are not obligated to stick with them either.

Most companies actually don't hire people directly, especially new students. They will only hire temp/contract because that way they can terminate if things don't work out. It isn't easy to get rid of someone once they are hired full-time (beaurocracy), but temps are different. You can use that to your advantage.

Then in your spare time you could continue what you love as a hobby that could eventually lead to a small business (freelance type of thing). I'm sort of doing that with web design right now.