Well, HI!

Yes I DO still exist. I never left I just stopped posting when I get distracted by life! Hello!

Hey, Architect! If you hate your job... chances are you don't want to retire with it. Right? Go to a local bank and see if they will get you a sizable loan for schooling. Avoid 'Direct Loan' inc. , a federal student loan disbursement company, my interest on the lowest tier is 7.4% with Direct Loan, who are used through my financial aide.

-That's another thing.. student aide, student loans, and the schools relations may have changed a lot since you were in school last. Follow the money trail as far as you can so that you know who's pulling the strings. Whether it is Sallie Mae or your school seemingly fronting the money.. it's more likely Direct Loan. Be careful!

-You may consider taking a career search as a coarse. That helped me a lot a few years back. I'm in the process of getting the next four months figured out.

-Make Academic Advisement office be your friend for the semester. Find multiple programs that coincide with your direction. You can change your minor a lot and it doesn't matter as much as changing your major, which many school programs and financial aide institutions will look at(your major). So you may be able to graduate outside of your major? If so, that will give your credits a little more permanence to take to other institutions. Jobs love to see degrees. Multiple small degrees look studious.

-I've never been accepted for another job starting in two weeks, while I give a two week notice to my current employer; I think that's where you are at though. I found a temp agency that I liked a few weeks after quitting my bad job and have been with the temp agency for seven years through full-time and part-time employment with second jobs.

I am 31 as well and after working seven years as a Nurses Aide living on less than 17,000 per year.. I'm tired of it.
In my case, I lapsed on a timely payment to keep the classes I registered for with the best of the best instructors and I lost them... so I either need mediocre instructors or find different classes. I had applied for a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant program and wasn't accepted, but it would be good if I could find a way to keep the education momentum going. I resolved to taking a career counseling as a course for one hour just to get my foot in the door while I scramble with finding decent classes.

Get some bank info and keep going in school if you're a good student, take up a temp agency! Take up a temp agency in ANY choice you make! This economy needs temps. I'm no politico, but I can tell you that companies will now outsource a lot more from here on out until at least five years.
Keep your chin up!

My friends have told me about their own problems with student loans. My sister worked at a government student loan place so she has been assisting me and giving me advice. I did not know career search was a course. That might be interesting. My dad took something akin to that when he was forced into retirement after 30 years in corporate. Temp agencies could be interesting. I secretly wonder if I just get bored at my jobs so a change of scenery might be nice. Thanks!

Going to art school and burying myself in debt was the biggest mistake I ever made, but uh, don't let that dissuade you.

I've heard that more than once. I went to art school and took a FEW jobs in the industry afterwards. At the time (just before the economy REALLY tanked) I was simply not dedicated enough to the idea of having a job so I wandered away from it. Now almost a decade later I am getting a better perspective and more driven to succeed which I wish I had done BEFORE I went to school.

Ultimately, industry experience and making connections are leagues more important than having a degree, and I wasn't impressed with the actual art training I got either. So, if you really think burying yourself in debt is a good life choice, at least spend your time networking the hell out of that place. Make friends with everyone of even vague influence you can, and use those contacts to get a career you want.

yes. if I had done more research on the first place I went I might have kept looking- but half of what i would be buying is a way-in into the industry.

If you are in the position to go to school comfortably instead of work, GO! I forget if you live with parents are not, but if you're not paying rent and all it's a great opportunity. What is your degree in again? Maybe you can get something parallel or get a masters? I think it's a fantastic idea. PLEASE DO IT. KEEP US IN THE LOOP!

This time if I go to school I am on my own. So comfortably is not likely. I am not living with my parents I am living for cheap with my brother and his family though so it is not MUCH more expensive. (I am paying my way without debt at least) Digital art keeps beckoning me back but A. I really enjoy/need an academic environment for guidance and B. It is hard to go this route in a vacuum. I want to be around others who also want to learn and develop which will help me. I am looking at various schools. I have a few "first choices" but I have to learn more. To that end I am taking some traditional art classes at the local community college and getting into digital art "monthly challenges" online to help work up my portfolio. Ironically if I am good enough to get into a good art school I'll probably be good enough to get a job. That is especially since I've already had a few jobs going digital.

ah. I'm not up on the arts field, but that's interesting. I like the academic environment also. It's so hard and expensive. What are your choices?

digital art- next-generation production

Is that

1) Digital art or 2) Next-generation production


or

Digital art: Next Generation Production?

both