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mysticalmunkey

Located in in Austin, TX USA Smile

Creative Career vs. Business Career

I am 29 years old with no degree, only a GED. I have recently gone through a large life change that has caused me to revaluate what I want in my life and finally put myself first. Not putting myself first is why I’m 29 years old with no formal education or training beyond a GED. Although ultimately that’s my own fault. That may be fine for some, but for someone who wants to be financially secure in this unstable economy that’s no where close to being good enough. Nowadays having an Associates Degree is like having a high school diploma, sometimes not even that.

I understand that education on paper isn’t everything; I believe that life experience does count as well. With that said, I feel I have the life experience, so it’s time to work on that paper education.

I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to do with my life since I was a kid, I don’t know why but anything I consider never seems to feel 100% like that’s what I’m supposed to be doing, or something I’ll stick to for a long time. I truly envy people who at age 6 just knew they wanted to be a fireman, police officer, doctor or whatever. They had a goal from the time they were a child & stuck to that goal & worked towards it for years. I so badly wish I could have been one of those kids.

I actually was one of those kids for a brief moment in time before I hit about age 12 or 13. I played the flute for about 4 years. I absolutely loved it; it was always something I went to when things weren’t going well at home between my parents. I had planned on wanting to join the youth orchestra and then eventually the symphony. I went through some troubling times at home & to punish me my parents took my flute away & pawned it. I haven’t touched a flute since and I can’t even read music anymore. It saddens me when I think about it.

I guess maybe that affected me more than I realized. My internal battle of indecision comes from me having a business mind but a creative heart. I’m good at “business” things, research, investigation, organizing, detail oriented work, problem solving, scheduling, customer service, recordkeeping etc. But I dream of working in a creative environment that allows freedom of expression. Maybe it’s a self confidence issue, I just feel I wouldn’t be good enough at most of the creative careers to make a living at it.

I can’t stand the thought of being glued to a desk in a cubicle or office for 8-9 hours a day. I would ultimately go mad if that’s what I had to do for the rest of my life. I like writing; I used to write poems all the time when I was younger, now it’s just more like documenting my feelings & thoughts. I love decorating and shopping for myself personally but don’t feel I would be happy or confident doing that for a living. I LOVE animals more than life, but love them so much I can’t stand to see them in pain & I can’t even look at a needle. So being a vet or vet tech is completely out of the question. I love being in nature & I’m constantly fascinated by the beauty of it. I’ve always been drawn to water and exploring hidden trails since I was a child. I’m very much interested in the metaphysical, alternative healing, astrology, numerology, energy work etc. I took some Feng Shui classes with the intent on becoming a practitioner one day for a living, but with the state the economy is in I was scared to follow through with an actual business plan, feeling that people would see that as a luxury not a necessity.

I guess sometimes I feel like you have more of a chance of being financially secure with a “business” type career than something creative. Money is definitely not the only motivating factor in my decision. I have to like, preferably love, what I’m doing as well, but not having to worry about bills, groceries and unexpected expenses on a daily basis takes off a lot of stress so you can focus on the important things in life. I’ve been to both ends, dirt poor & living in a nice big house without too many cares. Now I’m about in the middle, or maybe a little lower. I can’t afford to put time, effort and money into something that I have no idea about whether it will succeed even the least little bit. I know you’re never guaranteed that anything will ever succeed, but I feel that by having a “traditional” education & focusing on getting a traditional job or career, your chances of success are greater.

I feel like the cliché, “Jack of all trades, and master of none”. I hate that, I want to be a master of at least one thing. Other career options I’ve considered are completely polar opposite of each other, much like my business mind & creative heart. One is becoming a Paralegal in criminal or entertainment law. I feel this would satisfy my business mind & give me a better chance at financial security, unfortunately I can’t seem to find any place in this career that would satisfy my creative side.

The other option is possibly doing something with graphic design or something related, though I have no experience with it at all. I’ve received mixed opinions from people on choosing. Some say, “Follow your heart and do what makes you happy & what you actually enjoy”. Others say “Take the Paralegal career and moonlight on the side as a Graphic Designer”.

It’s time for me to make a decision, I don’t want to waste anymore time trying to figure out what I want to do. I want to set a goal and work towards it & I don’t want to be disappointed in my choice a year or two down the line.

I’m sure I’ll receive several ridiculous suggestions, maybe even a few rude ones & I expect that from some of the kinds of people that are in this world. But the ones I hope for, the ones I will pay attention to, are from people that genuinely have some good advice, maybe someone that’s been in my situation of indecision before, or just has some good life experience.

Thanks for listening & hopefully for some good feedback! Wink

Pauloz · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:35 am Post subject:

mysticalmunkey

You've given yourself quite a dictionary of choices there.

A few points:

Creative and business aren't mutually exclusive, nothing like it.

You'll find that learning to read music again isn't too hard. I barely bothered, then listening to Mingus talked me into taking it up again.

You're not wrong about Cubicle Syndrome. It drives everyone nuts, they just generally don't notice it.

Few people are masters of any trade, particularly what they do for a living. They're a bit better informed, usually.

If you want to be creative, you can do that on your own terms, anyway. Nothing can stop you doing that.

Really, never mind the distinctions. You have these various interests, it's a matter of putting them together in working order.

One thing we can tell you for sure. You'll be a lot more productive where your interests are engaged. That's scientific fact, these days.

If you're happier with the financial security, fine. Just don't ever believe that it limits you doing everything else. Make the time for doing the creative stuff, and the business side will pay for it.

Do not get yourself into a situation where you can blue sky your way out of doing what needs doing in covering the costs when you're doing anything creative.

I'm a writer, a musician and an artist. You need that cover. I'm a second generation artist, and I can tell you for a fact that you don't need the mundane getting underfoot. I've won awards and found myself living on muesli for months afterwards.

Whatever you do, make it practical. Paralegal and moonlighting looks like your best and safest option right now, but you can create others for yourself when you decide what qualifications you need.

Good luck

Randy

mysticalmunkey

Nowadays having an Associates Degree is like having a high school diploma, sometimes not even that.

True enough but never forget that within the "real world" of employment and labor, such things as educational requirements change with the seasons. When I was just a kid, to my dad and his generation the single-most important thing was that high-school diploma. So i graduated from high-school in '69 only to discover a few years later that a four-year degree was becoming a "requirement" for most jobs for which I already had enviable experience.

And if you talk to young people fresh out of school with that four-year degree, they will tell you that they are potential employers value experience more than a degree. Funny how when I sit in an interrogation (still erroneously referred to as a "job interview) that what matters most is the degree simply because experience equates into being "over-qualified".

I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to do with my life since I was a kid, I don’t know why but anything I consider never seems to feel 100% like that’s what I’m supposed to be doing, or something I’ll stick to for a long time.

Yep, understood. I'm fifty-six and still have no idea what I want to be when I grow up.

I truly envy people who at age 6 just knew they wanted to be a fireman, police officer, doctor or whatever. They had a goal from the time they were a child & stuck to that goal & worked towards it for years. I so badly wish I could have been one of those kids.

Do you really? In my experience those are generally the most miserable people I know. Oh, don't misunderstand: They may well indeed "love" their careers and professional lives. Set that to the side, however, and they have nothing else other than a favorite sports team to hold their interest. A life based on a fat bank account and no passion for anything else isn't anything that would interest me one little bit.

I guess maybe that affected me more than I realized. My internal battle of indecision comes from me having a business mind but a creative heart. I’m good at “business” things, research, investigation, organizing, detail oriented work, problem solving, scheduling, customer service, recordkeeping etc.

And the irony is that not one of those things requires--in my experience--any appreciable amount of "formal education". It's time people accept the obvious: The once noble employment has been reduced to nothing more than exploitation and that's simply because this country made the fatal mistake of confusing education with intelligence and with few exceptions, most "business types" I've encountered who have that sacred cow of a four-year degree are educated way beyong their intelligence.

But I dream of working in a creative environment that allows freedom of expression. Maybe it’s a self confidence issue, I just feel I wouldn’t be good enough at most of the creative careers to make a living at it.

Well, it's clear you understand one thing perfectly: Within the strict confines of "business" there is little room for, and tolerance of, "freedom of expression". You need to excel in only three areas to be successful within business: Compromise, capitulation, and conformity. Having never been to college but having been surrounded by, and working for, people with those "business degrees," I've regrettably concluded that those "3 C's" comprise most of that educational process. The irony is, of course, I grew up in a day and age in which those were seen as the very things against which one must always fight.

Then again, I'm at job fifty-whatever so that should tell you everything you need to know about whether or not I speak the truth.

I can’t stand the thought of being glued to a desk in a cubicle or office for 8-9 hours a day. I would ultimately go mad if that’s what I had to do for the rest of my life.

Well, look around yourself? Wouldn't you agree that things have gotten rather "insane" but that at each and every step of the way, the "insanity" is accepted as being "normal"? Or let me put it this way: It's election time and oh my God, are we hearing a lot about "change". But is it really "change" that everyone is talking about or is it not rather about the human capacity to "adapt" to whatever comes our way?

At any given point in human history, people have contented themselves, "adapted" themselves to live in whatever the times may be, politically, business, religious, and socially.

It is not that people "change," not at all, but rather that people are content to "adapt" to what is, be it good or bad. And they do this to their own pain, hurt, and as you said, insanity. It IS "insane" to be locked into a cubicle for eight or more hours a day, but we've accepted it as being perfectly "normal". Hell, there's even a new desk attached to stationary bicycles so human resources (perviously referred to as "employees") can work AND exercise at the same time! "Insane" is much too tame of a way to describe it.

Sisyphus was doomed to rolling that damned boulder up the hill, only to have it roll back down, and repeat, day after tedious, boring day, for all eternity, all because he mad the gods angry. Modern man sits locked away in those stupid cubicles, day after boring, tedious day. And why? All because he chose to obey the modern gods corporations. Nothing has ever truly "changed" and nothing ever will, I'm afraid. People will, however, continue to adapt. And a few, like yourself, will struggle against the madness from living in a world gone mad.

I like writing; I used to write poems all the time when I was younger, now it’s just more like documenting my feelings & thoughts.

Good luck unless you write the "pop-culture". After all, when anything and everything signed by a "celebrity" instantly becomes a "best-seller," you're guaranteed an uphill battle at getting anyone's attention. American's attention span is limited to, oh, about thirty-seconds and they are damned sure NOT going to read anything that might actually challenge them to think for themselves! That's why we have politicians and preachers and professionals and celebrities, is it not, to tell us what to think?

God, I miss the days when it was more important to know how to think than be taught what to think. But I'm just old and grumpy as hell....

I LOVE animals more than life, but love them so much I can’t stand to see them in pain & I can’t even look at a needle. So being a vet or vet tech is completely out of the question. I love being in nature & I’m constantly fascinated by the beauty of it. I’ve always been drawn to water and exploring hidden trails since I was a child. I’m very much interested in the metaphysical, alternative healing, astrology, numerology, energy work etc. I took some Feng Shui classes with the intent on becoming a practitioner one day for a living, but with the state the economy is in I was scared to follow through with an actual business plan, feeling that people would see that as a luxury not a necessity.

Yes, you have the heart and soul of an artist. Not much demand for those these days, is it? At least not in a culture in which it's all about the damned money.

I feel like the cliché, “Jack of all trades, and master of none”. I hate that, I want to be a master of at least one thing.

Why?

Yes, the money is prob'ly better if you and I and others were "masters" at one thing. But then there's risk of being as shallow and oblivious to the rest of life as are those that I know I've encountered. And again, never underestimate the power of the institutions of man--government, religion, and business--to change the rules so there's always that chance that just as soon as you become the "master" of something, it will be decided for you by the "they's" of the world that you are now obsolete.

Other career options I’ve considered are completely polar opposite of each other, much like my business mind & creative heart. One is becoming a Paralegal in criminal or entertainment law. I feel this would satisfy my business mind & give me a better chance at financial security, unfortunately I can’t seem to find any place in this career that would satisfy my creative side.

That's one I, too, have considered simply because I love the debate and argument required at getting to "the truth". Only there's a problem with the "legal system" and all know what it is: It's not about "the truth" but rather about "winning," asserting a position and then doing anything everything necessary to "win". I'll have no part in such a childish charade.

The other option is possibly doing something with graphic design or something related, though I have no experience with it at all. I’ve received mixed opinions from people on choosing. Some say, “Follow your heart and do what makes you happy & what you actually enjoy”. Others say “Take the Paralegal career and moonlight on the side as a Graphic Designer”.

Ah, the old "do what you love and the money will follow" coming into conflict with "having it both ways".

Listen: I accepted a long, long time ago that *I* am indeed my own worst enemy just as you are yours. And the reason is very simple: You have heart. You actually do truly care, not only about yourself, but others as well. In the world of business, that's a no-no. You must focus on one thing only: Money. That makes life incredibly simple. All decisions are based on profit and loss, end of story. Now it's true you get to rationalize and justify your actions based on things like, "Yes, but look at all the jobs I created." "Yes, half the population can't afford electricity, but look at how much I increased profits for the shareholders." And so forth.

Long story short? Think of this like looking for love. And we all know what happens when you go out looking for love, right? You almost never find it. Love, perhaps the last remnants of magic in the world, has a way of finding us, not the other way around.

Stay busy, as clearly you are, enjoying life and doing things which, at the very least, if not making you happy are not driving you totally insane and suicidal. And then just wait. People get so damned busy trying to create a perfect future that life hasn't time to work on their behalf. Or it's like employers who are so determined to hire the "ideal candidate" that they inevitably hire the worst employees and can never, ever seem to figure it out so they continue to blame us for their stupidity and lack of awareness and insight.

And it's that--a lack of awareness and insight into what really matters in life--that you'll forfeit in your determination to become a "master" of one thing instead of being a "jack of all trades". Never forget: Life, and living, are our true occupations so it's all far more about "being" than "doing". All the rest has a most uncanny way of taking care of themselves.

Or in the immortal words of Mick Jagger:

"You don't always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need."

mysticalmunkey · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 2:48 am Post subject: Feedback

Pauloz,

First thank you for your response, It's much appreciated.

"Creative and business aren't mutually exclusive, nothing like it."

I guess your right...unless you run a "creative" business! lol But that's not happening right now. At least not as my sole provider of income.

"Few people are masters of any trade, particularly what they do for a living. They're a bit better informed, usually."

I really like that part about being "better informed". That made me realize that I think too highly of other people & not enough of myself, just because they have a degree I don't.

"You have these various interests, it's a matter of putting them together in working order."

I'm not quite sure how to do that.................

"One thing we can tell you for sure. You'll be a lot more productive where your interests are engaged. That's scientific fact, these days."

I agree with you very much on this, but do you feel that's a different way of saying "Do what u love & the $ will follow?" I feel that there is SOME truth to that statement. But I think it depends on what you LOVE to do. If you love to paint fine art that gets picked up & is sold for thousands, awesome! But what if you just like to watercolor on the level of a 4yr old? I don't see any profit there............

"Make the time for doing the creative stuff, and the business side will pay for it."

This has had me thinking.....I'm interpreting this as do the business thing as your "day job" & have your creative thing as your side project? I think I might be OK with this, but the business thing would HAVE to be something that interests me in SOME way, such as my consideration for Paralegal. Some people might think that would bore them out of their mind, but for me I truly enjoy being "behind the scenes" so to speak. Being the assistant to someone that helps make everything run smoothly. I don't want to be in the spotlight like the lawyer, but I enjoy the research & investigation that's invloved. Maybe I could do my Feng Shui thing on the side & who knows it might take off, but if not I'll still have that experience, education & degree on my side........

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE INPUT Very Happy

Randy,

....forget that within the "real world" of employment and labor, such things as educational requirements change with the seasons.....................only to discover a few years later that a four-year degree was becoming a "requirement" for most jobs..........

What I'm taking from this comment is basically this, having a degree isn't everything, but in the "real" world where someone judges you & gets their first impression based on a peice of paper, it sure doesn't hurt to have that degree(s) on there.

...f you talk to young people fresh out of school with that four-year degree, they will tell you that they are potential employers value experience more than a degree.

I think this is true for the most part, at least what I've experienced. I've seen job postings that want BOTH, I've seen some that require a certain
degree, I've seen some that don't require a degree but want 10yrs of experience. I feel that sometimes, not always, having a degree can equal experience to the EMPLOYER. BUT, I feel that if a person has 10yrs of experience they've in turn earned their degree, it just took longer.

In my personal situation, if i decide to choose being a paralegal then I have no experience except for general office work. I've looked online for possible positions in a law office to see if I might be able to work in the environment first & really see if that's what I want. All I find are employers who either want the several years of experience OR that degree, but some want a degree & at least 2yrs of experience. Either way I have none of those. So, I have to start somewhere & it's looking more & more like I'm going to have to get started on that degree.......

"Do you really? In my experience those are generally the most miserable people I know. Oh, don't misunderstand: They may well indeed "love" their careers and professional lives. Set that to the side, however, and they have nothing else other than a favorite sports team to hold their interest. A life based on a fat bank account and no passion for anything else......"

I've met people like this................very sad & empty

"Good luck unless you write the "pop-culture". After all, when anything and everything signed by a "celebrity" instantly becomes a "best-seller," you're guaranteed an uphill battle at getting anyone's attention."

I never expected to make at living at this, not once have I ever considered it, for those very reasons you stated. But, I would enjoy just doing some occasional freelance work.

THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE:)

Pauloz · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:02 am Post subject:

mysticalmunkey

Matter of fact I do run a creative business, and I love it.

"One thing we can tell you for sure. You'll be a lot more productive where your interests are engaged. That's scientific fact, these days."

I agree with you very much on this, but do you feel that's a different way of saying "Do what u love & the $ will follow?" I feel that there is SOME truth to that statement. But I think it depends on what you LOVE to do. If you love to paint fine art that gets picked up & is sold for thousands, awesome! But what if you just like to watercolor on the level of a 4yr old? I don't see any profit there............

No, actual truth. Tests were conducted, and sure enough, the productivity is where people put their effort into the things that matter to them, whether it's golf or taxidermy. Where the brain wants to go, apparently.

The profit also comes from not going nuts, being bored into moving to another species, or chasing somebody else's rainbow.

"You have these various interests, it's a matter of putting them together in working order."

I'm not quite sure how to do that.................

All functional. Time, interest, what you want to do and not to do, can be a case of arranging the mental furniture. If you get one piece in place, the rest of it can be put where it's useful or at least not in the way.

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