School of Art and Design
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Not too old to go back to school
Have any of you ever thought of going back to school to get your degree? Well I have, I have thought about it for years. I never did seem to have the time or even knew how to get started. About all I knew was that I had to fill out my F.A.S.F.A. I never could get past that point.
I have always drawn, doodled and played around on the computer. In fact a previous job got me interested in graphic design. I have to say I'm not bad at it, I just needed more knowledge. I knew I could educate myself with all that is available online, but there was still one problem. NO DEGREE.
Some smaller companies may hire you to do the job, but won't pay you what you're worth without the degree.
I was sitting at home one day looking for jobs in the graphic design field and realized I needed a degree. I spoke briefly with my husband about it and he agreed. About 15 minutes later I get a phone call from the Art Institute of Pittsburg Online Division. The lady I spoke with explained it all to me. And told me exactly what to do. In fact, any snag I ran into she helped me along the way.
I couldn't fill out my F.A.S.F.A. without my last years tax info. Well, I had just moved and could not find my tax information for the life of me. So she told me how I could get it. Once I had it I filled out my F.A.S.F.A. and the rest was just faxing papers to her. She held my hand and stayed in contact with me everyday until she had everything she needed. She did all the hard work. Within a week I was a student. At 39 years old.
I could not believe how easy it was.
Even better, I can take my classes online, anytime that was convenient to me. I work full time so scheduled classes were out of the question. I can go online anytime of the day or night to do my assignments. As long as I have my work turned in by a certain day I get credit for that assignment.
This has turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. So if you have ever thought about it, but thought there was too much involved you should give a try. Turns out a lot of people are doing this. There are people older than me going back to college. Just contact the school of your choice and talk to an Advisor. Or just fill out your information online and someone will contact you.
It doesn't hurt to try.
What hurts is being stuck in a job that doesn't utilize your natural talents.
Good Luck!
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Thank you for your comment Vladi, one of the classes I had to take was drawing. I discovered that there was a lot I didn't know. Techniques that would've helped me years ago with other paintings and drawings. It also helped to find out how many famous artist had studied in the past. And yes going to school helps with the newtworking. One plus is that this school sets you up for success. All the work I will be doing will be saved on my computer and they have you use your work to set up a portfolio and try to help place you in your field of study when you graduate. They also help you with the networking as well.
Of course you can do this without going to college. My brother is an artist in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Self-taught, but it has not been easy. He had been building his clientel for years. I will try to add a link in a moment to his website. Good luck!
This gives me some comfort and perhaps helps me a little in the decisions I'm trying to cast.
I draw. That's what I love doing. I had made a wrong decision in the past when I decided to study computer science and followed the curriculum for three boring semesters. I quit it and got my hands dirty with paint, charcoal and graphite (and digital drawing, although you don't get dirty there).
I'm really not sure if in the department of illustration, fine art and concept art (I'm interested in) you really need a degree - because it's one of those "jobs" that your skill and reputation speak much better than a signed piece of paper by some school.
However school offers something else - people to meet up with, and follow a "safe" route - something that is hard sometimes when you autodidact like me.
Anyway, still confused! :) But thanks for the great read :)