Career Change
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- roundabout0
I meet an old school freand last month, he trained as a plumer 15 years ago, he is now pulling in 80K+.
- Hey, you can too if you pull your thumb out - it's all about the hours and the effort.detritus
- Sorry but you will never make that sort of money in graphic design, unless you start a company.roundabout
- Iggyboo0
I dont know man everyone gets burnt out. We're all going to be
there at that same point at some point in time. Just try to do
what makes you happy whatever it is. And get rest while you need it.
- skelly_b0
I went through this and still do from time to time. How old are you? I caution against expecting any job or career choice to satisfy you on some deeper level. I now freelance and live by my own rules and schedule and feel pretty lucky. Am I passionate about design? Not really, but it's not a bad way to make a living.
Why an MBA? If you want to go into business, start one. Much more lucrative.
- citizen_h0
Become the next apprentice to Saralan( Sir Alan Sugar) or if your US based is Don 'blow that' Trump.
- ian000
I'm 32. Freelancing for the past year and a half and doing quite well. I do think about starting a business - I did it before so I'm familiar with what hoops need jumping through. But I think an MBA would give me a skill set that would allow me to run a better business.
All in all I want to be of more service. Designer go around convincing everyone how important their job is. You know, shaping cultural identity, design s authorship, etc. And there is some truth to that but I guess I long for a more direct connection.
I cooked in restaurants to put myself through school. Thought about going to cooking school.
- madirish0
"Why an MBA? If you want to go into business, start one. Much more lucrative."
i could not say this any better. well put skelly
- formed0
MBA - the general knowledge is super useful. I've been running a business for about 5 years now, but wish I would have finished my MBA (2 degrees in arch and a minor in biz seemed like plenty!..plenty of debt too) and have considered going back many times.
Sure, you learn by fire running your own show, but as things become more complex and you are juggling budgets, payment, marketing, etc., it becomes more stressful and you waste time with inefficiencies.
I need a bookkeeper, too ;-)
- mild0
- tkmeister0
An MBA degree would be good if you want to do more of brand management and strategy especially with a real hands-on creative experience. It's extremely difficult for a creative person to switch over to a business/marketing side in major corporations. They just don't take our credential seriously even though we might know a lot more experience and knowledge than, say, a client side marketing manager.
But i wouldn't expect an MBA as a solution to all and make you rich instantly. I just met way too many Harvard MBA grads who are nothing more than a hack with tons connections.
- blankeyecue0
I feel you dude...I feel the same way...eversince younger designers are coming in at work and getting higher pay..what I do is I put up a business my designed shirts...that way I do monotonous projects..
do graffitti...try something for a change...but dont quit your job unless your financially capable...- YOUNGER but on HIGHER pay? Seriously? Thats Fucked up.Spookytim
- morilla0
I am soooo there.
- designasaurus0
I'm in the same boat. I just started a few personal projects and cut back on my freelance load, it really helps to make time for yourself. I've thought about the MBA also but I had a teacher in design school that used to tell me to "make it easy to follow, so easy that even an MBA could get it."
- morilla0
I have been kicking around the idea of going back to school as well. Have been thinking about going to Full Sail for Audio Engineering / Producing.
- morilla0
Because my studio will be on that boat !
- skelly_b0
At least in the US, I have a hard time considering higher education a wise route to a career change. Saddling yourself with all that debt seems like a bad start. That is assuming you aren't trying to move into a profession that has specific education requirements.
Ask yourself are you looking for a job? Or are you looking to carve your own path? Jobs like degrees. Those making things up as they go along can find that knowledge on their own.
- Mojo0
Wow, helpful replies.
*weeps softly with joy*
- ian000
i know right? who would have thought it.
- roundabout0
I am thinking about training as a car mechanic at the moment, I love cars more then I do Design. I only wish I took that road when i was younger.
- Josev0
it's interesting to read about how many others have the same thought about leaving the design profession. I'm kind of getting tired of it too. Actually, Im not tired of design it's that I rarely get to do what I think is best for the project. Rush timeframes have become so common with my clients lately that it's becoming the norm as far as turnaround. Does anyone even have the time to properly think things through anymore? Or have the time to veg on ideas and refine them? Maybe the problem is my own expectations.
I know so many people that have or are getting MBAs that I think it's no longer going have the value that it once did. Especially the 1 year MBA's that so many school's are offering.