   What am I going to do with an Art Degree?!
  As far back as I can remember I always thought I would grow up to be a dinosaur hunter. Obviously that was never meant to be (I'm not nearly fit enough) so as a second choice I entertained the thought of cartoonist for most of my childhood life. However, somewhere along the way in high school I became distracted and took up computer programming as a very serious hobby. So serious was it that I nearly flunked every art class I took during that time, stopped drawing almost entirely, and consumed most every waking hour of my life for the next eight years in self study.I'm now five years out of high school and looking for a serious change. Last fall I made up my mind that I was sick and tired of crappy manual labor jobs with shit for pay and started looking into college education. My intent was to make this sick hobby of mine do something for me for a change. Trouble was... I hated it. I've pretty much grown to hate everything about it. I like the idea of solving problems but I just can't stand to code anymore. Even more bothersome to me was my complete lack of skills in even building math skills. Strangely enough this didn't stop me, so even with that in mind, last October I went to an open-house presentation at a local university to see what they could offer. Now, to say that I was unimpressed was an understatement. I tried for nearly an hour to strike up meaningful conversation with the students and teachers that represented comp-sci, maths, and physics. It was entirely like talking to bricks... and not even fancy red ones. After some time I grew weary and wandered my way around until, quite by accident, I stumbled into the art table. With bright colors and warm smiles they seemed more than welcoming to any questions and concerns I could have.Fast-forward from that day to now and I've just received my letter of acceptance from that school for an Art Major course of Study with a Concentration in Computer Graphics Programming. But this is only the first step on a long road and quite frankly, while I'm excited, I'm also scared shitless!While I would consider myself somewhat talented in art, I'm not that good. Worse yet I have very little skill or experience since I've put it off for so long. Most bothersome to me is the fact that I don't have any clue how things work out on the business end of art. Where can I get jobs? What exactly is required of me when and if I get one? And where can I learn these things!? I've been lifting boxes and washing dishes for so long I really don't know anything outside of that.I've always had the notion that art is spilt into to distinct realms: I can do what I want and be poor or I can do what others want and maybe make some money. But I'm not even sure what it is I want to do with myself! I just can't picture my future at all. I suppose my dream job's only requirements are that it is steady, predictable hours with livable pay. But is that just a pipe dream in the art world? I've considered ideas like commercial advertising but I'm not sure it appeals to me. Comics are another thought but I'd rather work on something of my own... which requires a good sales pitch, and usually, spending time working on other's stuff anyway.Maybe I need to be corrected here but it seems to me that an art degree is pretty much meaningless. It might help an application get through the door but isn't it the portfolio that saves the day? And quite frankly I not convinced that school for art is the only good way to learn it. That's why, despite my lack of math skills, I took the concentration in graphics programming. I guess I'm just hoping it will teach me something that is seemingly less subjective (at least in my mind). Oddly enough, I really haven't considered video games that much lately. That's especially odd due to the fact that I got into programming in the first place because I wanted to make sprites and I couldn't find anyone to help program games for them.So yeah, this is pretty much just a random-thought-post to help me let off some stress and collect thoughts. But if there is anyone out there that can shine a light or point a direction or even just tell a story I sure would appreciate it. Mostly I think my problem is that I just don't know what to expect from a future in art. What I can I get and what I give in return.   
Quote:Original post by lack o commentsAs far back as I can remember I always thought I would grow up to be a dinosaur hunter. Obviously that was never meant to be (I'm not nearly fit enough)Um... I couldn't get past this sentence....The only thing stopping you from that was... not being.. fit??You do realize with some proper exercise and eating you'd easily be "fit" enough to excavate digs all day long within 6 months, right? Hell, you could run a marathon in 8 months of training, presuming you started as a big ball of fat. You wouldn't win, but you could do it.Unless this was an attempt at humor... man, you really gave up on a dream over something incredibly, incredibly minor.   ;  Scanning further, yes, an art degree is almost entirely worthless.Your portfolio is everything. Everything.   ;Quote:Original post by lack o commentshated it. I've pretty much grown to hate everything about it. I like the idea of solving problems but I just can't stand to code anymore. Even more bothersome to me was my complete lack of skills in even building math skills. Fast-forward from that day to now and I've just received my letter of acceptance from that school for an Art Major course of Study with a Concentration in Computer Graphics Programming. But this is only the first step on a long road and quite frankly, while I'm excited, I'm also scared shitless!I agree an Art degree does not do much in so far as job prospects (A Masters in fine art may get you curator job). The portfolio is much more meaningful. However, you can build your portfolio while in school.Maybe it is just me but what is this 'Art Major ... Concentration in Computer Graphics Programming'. Did you mean just 'Computer Graphics'? As I am sure you are aware graphics programming is quite math heavy.   ;  With and art degree you can:- Live in poverty! (Probably won't even make enough to pay income tax!)- Complain about all those people that received degrees in CompSci/Engineering/English/Interior Design that make way more than you- ......???- Profit!!!---Seriously. For art don't even bother going to school. If you are worried about maths you shouldn't. I completely sucked at maths going into school, and still do. I just had to work extra hard at the maths classes and I was able to pass. The last couple of maths classes I've had I even received A's!University is more about effort than knowing how to do things. My father always said: "It's a marathon, not a race". He was absolutely right. If you do poor in math it really won't matter in the long run, and if you work hard you simply cannot fail...I think many people don't pursue math/science/engineering degrees, not because they are 'bad at math', but because they simply don't want to put effort into it. Seriously: Study math in your free time. Ask around to find the best math teachers (not the 'easiest' but the ones that teach the best, although these classes are normally 'easier' anyways since you actually learn the material!).I originally planned to go to an art/technical school myself, and in hindsight I'm glad I didn't.   ;  No! I wasn't talking about excavating dinosaur bones. I was talking about hunting them! With a gun! But I'm afraid I can't grow a mullet nearly as powerful as say... Kurt Russell's in order to survive a raptor attack or something. That and as we all know most dinosaurs traveled to another planet long ago and well... I get motion sickness so no spaceships for me.Seriously though: That second comment kinda put a dampener on my day. But at least I know I'm not crazy now :D While I have enjoyed talking with the art department lately, it is very obvious that a couple of them are trying to sell me a product rather than give me a straight answer. They keep telling me that university schooling will teach me other important things dealing with real life.Yeah... I'm twenty-frickin-four. I *know* how to pay bills and rent and keep my car in working order!   ;Quote:Original post by lack o commentsit is very obvious that a couple of them are trying to sell me a product rather than give me a straight answer. Bingo! I've actually had a few liberal arts professors try to convince me to join their cult. Just trying to bolster their ranks I guess.   ;  No, I meant 'Computer Graphics Programming'. Odd I know. It is basically this cross-program for Art and Comp-Sci classes. Honestly it sounds like a joke to me. If you are an Art major you are simply required to take some comp-sci and math classes and visa-versa. The art director kept telling me that it's all the rage especially in the video games industry. That didn't really impress me. It is mostly just my lack of acceptance to give up entirely on programming.I guess it was really just the fact that I can cram that in along with a graphic design course all in the same time frame that sold it to me. And while I do admit to sucking at math I'm not really willing to let that stop me from learning.   ;  Art/CS just does not sound like a mix, but if you think about it you will have a good foundation for things such as games, interface design etc...Out of curiosity, is this a state university or a private one.In any case it sounds like you have the right attitude towards going back to school. Enjoy.;  In my opinion, you also have a strong command of language.  I enjoyed reading your post.  Maybe it would be possible to put your writing skills to good use?   