Look away this is your last chance.

So just to warn those who dare to read the following there will be much complaining. I'm trying to decide what to do for the rest of my life and like most other important decisions I'm suppose to make... I will leave it up to strangers.

I'm about to go into my senior year and everyone is asking the million dollar question; What would you like to do with your life? I've pursued many things like music, history, journalism, politics, ecology, and sign language. All of which I do not want to go chasing a career in. The thing is when I feel that rush of aspirations my body seems to move quicker than my mind. It goes out and volunteers for anything and everything in that field.

Which is the reason I belong to; Marching Band, Drama, Student Senate, Debate team, Newspaper, Chorus, Jazz band, Eco club, Colorguard... and many, MANY more clubs. (Plus outside of school projects)

Want to know how many of these clubs I enjoy. ZERO. Why do I stay? Obligation and Guilt. (Which happen to be two very stressful things)

Now onto the first thing I've ever wanted to do. Crafts! Sewing, painting, cutting, studding, weaving, glueing, embroidering, bedazzling, whatever! I love it all. I've loved it since I was ten and my mom bought me a sewing machine. I made a hat for my cat. (She didn't appreciate it.)

So after a few years of the real world (schoolyard bullies, demoralizing parents, and peer pressure; all things my future therapist can worry about) I packed up that sewing machine as the first failed aspiration.

Fast forward to the past year. My super encouraging best friend broke me out of my shell and raised me like a baby chick (and the runt of the litter) then got me back into the world of crafts.

One last thing to add to this little autobiography I'm giving you all. My parents idea of a successful future is having the financial stability to do whatever I want but do the exact opposite. For their only daughter they would like a job where I can look down on others and a strapping young, dominant, husband with one of those but chins and pearly white teeth. They've pretty much stereotyped the future for an artist as so; dirty, skinny, heroin addicted, squatting in a vacant slum.

My idea of the future is total disregard for all financial woes. To demolish the difference between idea and action and act without official permission. (I'd go on but this website isn't here to facilitate my non-craft related ideals)

Finally with that background we are onto my issues. Issue number one... I have already told my parents that I'll be acquainting myself with an occupation that will guarantee a successful future. Humph. How do I talk these bulldogs into submission? The second the words "art school" slip form my mouth foam will be forming around theirs.

Issue number two... In order to prepare for the art school I'd like to go to I must drop at the very least ten of the twenty-five after school programs I have done in the past three years. Here comes that guilt and obligation. Each time I quit one of these things I must explain to instructors, teachers, and friends why I am doing so. Then I must fend off their pleading and bartering for me to stay. (I'm not over-dramatizing this, I've tried to quit things before) So how do I stay strong when I feel so guilty?

The last issue... I'm afraid. Doing something that I enjoy is a new experience that I'm just starting to get use to. I'm afraid that if I do what I want, someone or something will stop me.

Well if you lasted through that pathetic essay I commend you. If I had a sword and was a queen in a monarchy I would knight you. Contact me and I will give you a certificate of completion of some kind for your success in listening to me whine. If you would like to go for extra credit and answer my questions or just give me a little support that would be great.

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15 replies since 1st August 2010 • Last reply 1st August 2010

Reply #1:

Didn't want to read and run, can't help you hun as I was never in your situation... but yeah... **hugs** x

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Reply #2:

If you want to get into art school you're going to have to quit a lot of those activities to get a decent portfolio sorted. That's worth the guilt...

If you really want to do this, and you'll probably need your parents support to get through it, do some research into jobs you can do after art school and talk to them about it. Seriously, an academic degree is not guaranteed to get you a well paid job (trust me, I got a 1st MA and there's not a lot out there) but there's always a demand for teachers. If you tell them about different options and how you want to use the skills you have to help other people, they will (hopefully) talk to you like an adult who's taking responsibility for their own future. Once you're in art school, they'll get more used to the idea that you will end up doing something more art related.

Good luck. Hope it works out well for you.

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Reply #3:

If you want to get into art school you're going to have to quit a lot of those activities to get a decent portfolio sorted. That's worth the guilt...

If you really want to do this, and you'll probably need your parents support to get through it, do some research into jobs you can do after art school and talk to them about it. Seriously, an academic degree is not guaranteed to get you a well paid job (trust me, I got a 1st MA and there's not a lot out there) but there's always a demand for teachers. If you tell them about different options and how you want to use the skills you have to help other people, they will (hopefully) talk to you like an adult who's taking responsibility for their own future. Once you're in art school, they'll get more used to the idea that you will end up doing something more art related.

Good luck. Hope it works out well for you.

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Reply #4:

Stay strong and talk to us when it gets too much, we are always here for you! As for art school then Gigi is right on the teaching front orsay the words 'advertising' and 'marketing' to them and they will hang upon your every word. Or better yet 'advertising graphic designer' has a certain ring to it don't you think?

x

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Reply #5:

i was in your situation i even enrolled in the art classes when i was 22 my dad said no way am i paying for you to screw around so i got 2 jobs moved out my parents house and didnt go to school at all.when i was very young my dad got me interested in archeology and geology things i love and when i got to high school i said these where things i wanted to do well same as your parents oh no you wont make a good living i wish i had not listened i wish i had stood up pushed myself and become an artist an archeologist whatever so do not let others decide for you my greatest hope for you is that you at least try you are young i am 35 im starting school to be a radiographer this is not my dream but it will give me the money to support my sons and daughters in whatever they choose to do

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Reply #6:

I'm sorry to hear about your situation, it must be a struggle... *hugs*

Gigi is right, if you want to persue arts, it can be very demanding so you will have to give up most if not all your other social obligations (which probably makes little difference to you as you don't like your other activities). This will be nessisary to gain a portfolio of different subjects and artistic mediums.

The thing is though art can be used in more ways then you think. Just because you are thinking of studying art does not mean that when you've graduated you will be a typical artist "bumming" around painting all day. Look at the second and third link for a list of jobs you could do (from the Prospects website!!).

The best way to persuade your parents would be to research a couple of art courses that you want to persue and look into the industry and what jobs you could be qualified to do when you have completed your course...

This link http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_art_design_your_skills.htm
explains what skills you will develop on an art and design course, what employers really seek in graduates or further/higher education students.

This link
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_art_design_job_options.htm
lists potential job options that you could persue after finishing your course and so does this one...
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/options_art_design_career_areas.htm

However it is something very self-fulfilling. That is my one regret, I did Art as a GCSE subject but I didn't take it up in my A-Levels and I wish I had done now. I will go back to college and take it up again even if it is an evening class!!

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Reply #7:

you know what, I know its hard. But do what you love, build that portfolio. Drop some clubs, but keep the ones that are relevant to Art School. Like are you in an art club?

also while in art school, take some other courses, like a minor in Business or history...science.

it will help you get a job, to work as a graphic designer, you need a degree or diploma in design. Its way different then a BFA

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Reply #8:

but I would keep the newspaper, do you take photos for them? You should, because you could use some for your portfolio, and great on your application

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Reply #9:

=D Thank you everyone who posted. The support is amazing. A whole load of stress has been lifted. I concurred the first task of talking to my parents using Gigi and Bryony's advice. They dislike it but they aren't going to disown me. That's a start. Also I sent my band director a email saying I will not be attending band camp this year.

To Michelle G.... I'm not in art club but I'll definitely join.

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Reply #10:

Hurrah hurrah! If anyone gets arsey (teachers especially) tell them that you are planning for your future, that one usually gets you away with anything.

Big hugs and well done you

xx

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Reply #11:

Whatever you do, follow your dream of going to Art College. Seriously. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life so I did a business studies and languages degree. I love languages, but they're totally useless in Britain today, no one is interested. Teh business Studies degree was downright boring and has got me nowhere, a degree means nothing these days. I have got a job, but it wasn't through my degree.

Whilst I've done fun things in my life and had a great social life at university, I now sit everyday in my office, perusing craft sites and blogs and CO+K, dreaming of a life where I craft all day... Oh how I wish I'd gone to Art College.

AND, and this is the most important thing - if you do get distracted whilst there and decide it isn't for you- it doesn't matter! You can get a career in lots of areas without a degree!

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Reply #12:

Blue G: My situation is more or less exactly the same as yours. I've just finished my Business with Psychology BA. I used to kind of enjoy business at school and there were some Uni modules that I enjoyed... I combined it with Psychology because I thought that I already have a basic background in it (doing that and Business at A-Levels) even though I hated it by the time I'd finished it at A-Levels (although my last year in psychology was kind of enjoyable).

You're right though, a degree doesn't mean much these days, I finished my exams 12th May. I started looking for work at the beginning of June, so it's been 2 months now. I had one interview from a phoney marketing company, it wasn't a marketing job it was soor-to-door selling so I didn't attend the interview and THAT'S IT!! :'(

I also spend a lot of my time on here wishing now that I would have persued some form of Art study. I would like to do an evening course in some sort of art or sewing class at my local college (if they do it?!).

Switzerland if it is something you really want to do then don't hesitate, you don't want to regret not doing it like me and Blue G.

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Reply #13:

Talk to your art teachers and guidence counselor's at school they will send you in the right direction! And you dont have to explain to everyone of the teacher's of your after school programs. Tell them that your schedule is too much this year and you need to drop some afterschool activities to focus on heading to college. Most teachers will completely understand this if they want to see you succeed! And when you talk to your parents, make sure you have all your facts straight before just throwing it at them ( it make you look smarter that you have done your homework) Look into graphic design too, that's always an option! Good luck hunny, make sure you keep us up to date with how you are doing!
(((HUGS)))

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Reply #14:

yippee so happy for you

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