| Topic Name: |
Going through the almost 30 career crisis! |
| Message Name: |
DO you work in a creative field? |
| Date Posted: |
05/01/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
I don't mean to laugh amid all this sorrow, but the cliche was just too tempting.
As a graphic designer, I'm sure you have more skills than the obvious ones related to color, shape, and texture. You should now be comfortable working with clients who are clueless as to what they need done, with departments that have outrageous expectations as to what can be done, and with budgets that determine what really can be done. YOu should be well-versed with negotiation, judgement, partnering skills. These are highly valuable skills any employer would want. So why just limit yourself to an admin position? I think you're selling yourself short.
Yes, you have to eat. But there has to be a job out there that combines your passion with the realities of the job market. Have you considered partnering with a design or an architectural firm? How about working in an art store? How about selling some of your pieces on e-bay?
"Why don't you want to work in your industry anymore?" Because you feel that to stay sharp and marketable, you need to take educated risks and challenge yourself over and above your comfort zone.
"Why admin work?" My guess is because you haven't yet truly explored other possibilities. Let's not get lazy out there. You'll lose your perfect interim job to someone else!
Just a thought. Could you show your works at a local library or senior center or dentist's office or any other public place? Get your work out there. Get your name out there. Why wait for that perfect time when you have all the perfect paintings you want. This perfect time will never happen. The perfect time is now. |
| Message: |
Thanks for the advice but I have to say that I don't really agree with you.
I am not choosing to do administrative work because I am feeling lazy. I choose it because I rather be creative on my own time and not haved it sucked away at a job.
Believe me, when you work in a creative field, the job sucks all that creative energy right out of you and you don't want to be creative at all for yourself because you come home tired.
I get the impression that you think administrative work is "demeaning" and I know plenty of people who have done it. I don't think anyone is better than anyone else.
I really don't want to sell my art work on e bay because I rather go about it the right away and not to just make a quick buck. I don't see really accomplishing anything long term by doing that.
I realize that I do have plenty of design skills but I have lost my passion for it and I don't really enjoy it. It has become more of a conflict with getting in the way of my passion and I have started to resent it.
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