What to do with my life? I'm pretty sure, but it's hard.

[Billsgate]

Hi,

Just thought I'd let you guys know, I'm quiting my studies. Okey, now you think: He's giving up, he's a quitter!.
But in fact I now know what I want to study. My current education was the first year to become a bachelor in audiovisual techniques. Now, don't think too much of the audio part. It's mainly movie-making. But you see, it is impossible for me to think of any motivation why I would want to make movies.
Now what I really want to do and why I started this course, is to become an audio engineer in a music recording studio. And that is possible with this education, although it's not specialisating in audio. But in the first year of my current education, almost no audio is involved, and making a movie for me is something I can't do, I can think of scenarios and ideas. But putting all the theory we got into practice and make a movie, again, not working for me. No motivation whatsoever.

So I've decided to quit my current education, find me a job, work for a year or so, untill I have enough money to start my education. Thing is, this course is not given in Belgium, so I'm going to move to the Netherlands after I make enough money.
My mother is actually much more supportive of this choice then I first thought, but she doesn't know the price yet. This an extremely expensive education. For us anyway. Roughly calculated, it's about 18.000$ for 2 years. Without housing and money to actually live.
But this is truely what I want to do with my life, and I am very much willing to work my ass off to get the money I need to do this education. (BTW, This is a course held at the SAE institute: www.SAE.edu . They also have an SAE institute in NY, Any New Yorkers that have a spare room? Laughing )

A difficult period is ahead of me, but I trust I can accomplish this goal, because I am very motivated, and my sense of reality is well enough to realize what it will take.

In the meantime, while looking for work and working, I'll still be on AA, don't worry, not leaving Razz

 

[lmw80]

Congradulations! That's great news! The best road to take is the one you want to take and makes you happy!

 

[austinsdad]

Congradulations! That's great news! The best road to take is the one you want to take and makes you happy!

Couldn't have said it any bettter myself.

Sleeping better now that you been honest with yourself?

Best of luck to ya!

 

[Fluff]

Kudos to you for knowing what you want and going after it. I think that's awesome. Good luck!

 

[QTOFFER]

Education and career training is probably the best investment in time and money one can possibly make. It will pay for itself many times over as better salary and job satisfaction.
I have no idea how people finance higher education in Europe. In the US, undergraduate college education runs about $15,000 per year, on average, so nearly everyone receives some kind of financial aid, or low cost loan. There must be comparable programs in Europe that you might qualify for.
Best of luck to you!

 

[mitche8359]

Ditto what Lori said.

I would point out one thing, make sure the job market supports your decision. Fifteen years ago I followed my dream and finished a degree in Communications which specialized in video production. Afterward I looked at the job market and found it was pathetic. Minimum wage with a college degree!! Plus the jobs were scarce in my area. I did manage to make it to LA for a short while and worked on some films, but LA isn't my type of town especially after the earthquake. Back here in OH, those types of positions still aren't paying much and are fairly scarce. However, I have decided to try to get back into the field on some part time basis without giving up my day job. Not sorry I did any of it, it just didn't pay off for me.

 

[flipz]

I think it's a good choice billsgate. You don't want to end up doing something that you hate! I'll give you my experiences.

I have known since I was probably 10 years old that I wanted to work on computers. When I graduated HS I went to The Ohio State University to major in MIS... management information systems. This isn't exactly what I wanted to do (because it's more business than computers) but I still knew I would enjoy it. Well 2 years and $35,000 later (that's just for school, not living expenses. college is much more expensive here in the states. ) I still had not taken a single computer class!! The college has nearly 35,000 people in it, making it a small town! Even though I was a direct admit to the college of business because of good high school gpa and high ACT scores, I still couldn't get into ANY of the classes I needed!! So I was no closer to graduating from this 4-year school than I was when I started 2 years earlier. I decided I needed to start somewhere else, but I still wanted to graduate in 2 years.

I made the decision to transfer to a 2 year school and graduate with only an Associates. I'm upset with myself that I won't have a bachelors, but I'll still have graduated college within 4 years instead of 6. And I can always go back when I need/want to. Well anyways with that said I am in my second to last quarter at this school, and I took my first class in computer security. On my very first day I decided that this is absolutely what I would like to be doing with my life. In a 30-second period I decided that I do NOT want to be the person who runs all those cables and who gets called when some stupid person forgets their password. I would much rather be behind the scenes working on the security, and I would eventually like to get into the field of computer forensics. (Before anyone comments, no I have never even seen CSI. Only the REAL shows! haha).

So anyways... what all that is saying is I followed what I felt was the right path, and ended up finding something even better! So I say do what feels right!

-brent

PS- If you want to compare costs... my fiance's 4-year school is $35,000 per YEAR! Not including living expenses. 8O 8O

 

[greenfish]

More power to ya Billsgate. I say go for it!

 

[Menagerie]

Good for you!!

Education can be long and tiring. Best you know what you want before you are buried! After undergrad, I took a year off and worked for the post office and then in a warehouse. After that, I moved across the country to attend grad school. My heart was never really into it. I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, then I was a teaching assistant and decided teaching was what I loved. Finally, after 3 1/2 years, I got my Master's in Zoology. Still have not taken an education course, but enrolled in a PhD program in neuroscience. After a year of that, I realized I was not getting any closer to being a teacher.

Follow your gut and remember, you are not a quitter!

 

[flipz]

My fiance has wanted to be a vet since she could walk! She "grew up" on a dairy farm (not her family's... but close family friend) but had horses, goats, sheep, and MUCH more at her own house.

Her freshman year in college she decided she's much more interested in rescuing wild animals (like the people who rehab them and work with them at the zoo) as opposed to working in a vet taking care of peoples dogs and cats.

I guess most people need to actually start school to find out what they really want to do!

 

[TomK2]

An old joke:

A bachelor of science asks: what is that doing, and why is it necessary, and how does it it do it?

A bachelor of engineering asks: how does that work, can I build one and make it better?

And a bachelor of arts asks:

scroll down.......

get ready to stifle a groan.....

don't take this personally, its just a joke.......

A bachelor of arts asks " want fries with that?"

Before you flame, I have a BA! But it reveals some truth to the world. Follow your dreams in education and learn something you love. You owe it to yourself. But also learn something that others will pay you for, you owe that to the utility companies! If your passion isn't likely to pay, then double major with something that you can support yourself with while trying to make your dreams come true. You are more likely to realize your dreams if you can support yourself in the meanwhile.

Remember, In the USA average salary for a high school graduate is in the 20 thousand range. Average salary for a college degree is close to forty grand. Education is the key to economic success in the USA. Yes, college is expensive, but add up the higher income over your lifetime and you come out way ahead with a degree.

 

[Billsgate]

Thanks guys,

My mom went crazy after I told her what it would cost. I had no clue how much education cost in U.S.. But over here an average college (or high school even) education would cost about 2000$ per year. This is only a fraction of what it costs in U.S., but this may put into perspective that 9000$ (18000$) for two years is allot!!!
The reason that school is that 'cheap' is because of heavy funding through the state. But because the institute that I want to go study at isn't regogsnised by the state (figures, I have to choose the one school that isn't recognised :? , but what can I do, they aren't teaching the course anywhere else)
I am not qualified to receive study funds from the state (this is calculated on the basis of your parents income). Their income is just above the maximum level for study funds. :|
Now, I'm willing to go work, but thing is, I can't make that much money. Not allowed (well I am, but hear me out). If I make that much money, my mom loses 'child support'? which is about 10% of her income (in numbers around 300$). Anyway, if I want to go to work, then I'll have to pay this money back to her of my monthly wages, which would only be a logical system, since this is money for her to support me living at home. But this would make me have to work even longer, since I'm looking at a pay of 1300$ per month max for a job without education required.
I'm willing to do this all, but I just have to make my mom see this. Lucky I'm not alone on this one, I currently started visiting a psychotherapist who has already helped me allot and has suggested to talk with me and my mom to support me in my choice. Which will be necesairry. Because the things that I suggest will not be good enough, since I am 'inexperienced and have no idea what I'm talking about'. That's the whole point, me wanting this education really bad and even being prepared to make all the money independently. But she doesn't see that happen, simply because she is fearfull that I will not succeed. Understandable, but for this to work she'll have to have some confidence in me.

And TomK2, indeed, this may not be the best job to become very rich or anything, but this is now the thing that I am chasing and I really want, so not yet thinking about the payout. I am currently in the process of contacting people who work in the bussiness and making appointments with them, to see what the possibilities are, and this way I'll also have a good idea of how much this job will pay. But since I am really motivated and thinking I'm going the be the best of the best, finding a well payed job won't be a problem
Anyway, I'm still looking into things as getting paid etc.

Thanks,

Thomas

 

[greenfish]

Billsgate - It is your dream, your life, your choice. If you are an adult, you decide what is best for you. Sure it would be easier if you mom is behind you, but it is not necessary for you to achieve your dreams.

 

[mitche8359]

Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders since you are already contacting people in the business. Wish I had done that earlier in my schooling instead of spending all my time in the studio and editing suites. If you have internships over there, I'd highly suggest trying to get one. And when you make it big, would you hire me...

 

[Billsgate]

Hehe, I do have a big head Tom, but my head was working to hard when I wrote my previous messages. Yes, I'll hire you once I become famous

I have come to the conclusion that is impossible for me to make that amount of money to go and study this. I have also talked to a technician who works at one of the leading studios in Belgium, and he told me that it was an okey education (at SAE), but way overprized and that it was too short. You get everything in 2 intensive years, but all the background info about the bussiness is only briefly discussed in this program.
I will continue what I am studying now, and lay the emphasis on sound myself. Maybe I needed this 'crisis' to overview my options. And if I don't go to SAE, which I can't because of the cost, then the other option is doing the study that I am doing now.
And I also needed this to see what motivation I can get to continue this study. I am perfectly able to specialise myself on audio-level and to let this be seen in my personal works for school. I have now found a motivation to make a movie (with sound in a leading role). I'm thinking that this may very well lead to an original story and an interesting movie. Besides, in the second year of my current study, we will be receiving more lectures and practical classes on audio.
This is the only manageable way to achieve what I want, without going into serious conflict with my parents and myself even. And I'm glad I went through this thing, so now I have a clear view of what I want to achieve and how I will do it.
Thanks,

Thomas

 

[austinsdad]

I just noticed something significant. Bet no one else did....

You're sharing your fist name with us now. Noticed after the first post on this thread.

Took me a while to do that too, but this place and the family environment kinda make you feel real good about being a part of it.

Again, good luck man! Err, Thomas.

 

[Billsgate]

Well noticed austinsdad
And indeed, if this weren't such a friendly place, I wouldn't do it.

 

[Jchillin]

Ha ha...I knew his name long ago from a similiar faux paus I just saw this thread (Thomas) this will explain why you haven't heard from me (as I'm sure you were expecting to).

Career decisions revolving around the educational aspect of them are frought with a lot of obstacles. When I first enrolled in College, it was to pursue an MBA. This was partly due to pressure from family and school admins, who were convinced that because I was good in mathematics, I should pursue the business courses. They mentioned some of the things that TomK says (but much harsher).

After the first year, I was bored to tears. 3 more years of History, English, blah, blah, blah...no way! Out the door I went and pursued a totally different career (the one that I wanted) and raised a family. Happiness for the past 22 years.

Moral - Follow your head. It usually makes the best decisions!

 

[mitche8359]

K, Thomas, I'll hold you to that job when you're famous. You should still stay in touch with the pros in the industry. That's a great thing you've started.

 

[RocketSeason]

good move.

as someone who has tried for YEARS to get into the movie industry, I can tell you its pretty much next to impossible. (oh sure, if your amazingly good and you are in the right place at the right time with the right people you may, possibly get lucky.....)

anyways, follow your heart. I am sure you will land on your feet.