Topic awaiting preservation: careers (Page 1 of 1)

Ok, I know there was a similar thread to this not so long ago, but I think this is a different problem. I've come to the point where I have to choose university, and what to study etc., and would quite appreciate some advice. First off, since I live in the UK that might cut down on how much certain people can help. Basically, I am considering doing a graphic design or graphic communication degree foremost and have a few questions:
1. If this is what I'm wanting to be doing, will having a degree actually be a great deal of use?
2. Will a degree make me more likely of getting a fairly good job in the field? (I'm not interested in earning loads, I'd just like to be confortable)
3. Is it true the market for jobs is really *that* competetive?
Hope someone can advise on those points, or anything else that might be relevant... thanks.


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Don't think of it in terms of "what's the piece of paper going to get me" think of it as "what can all this knowledge do for me?"

Now, I have absolutely no experience in today's job field, but I figure it's all going to boil down to how much you know and how well you can use your knowledge to get things done. Of course employers will look for the degree to back this, because degree = knowledge in a certain field. I'm sure other inmates will offer much better insight than yours truly, but to shortly answer your questions:

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. I'm sorry, I have no idea. Especially since I live in Canada and not the UK.

I think Emps may be of some service here. I think he was a University professor at some point...

*goes to get Emps*

synax:

quote:

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I think Emps may be of some service here. I think he was a University professor at some point...

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LOL not quite but I have taught at University level, however, its not really about the course per se (but I have had to field similar questions). In the end it is all down to you and your current circumstances.

Yes the job market is competitive and you do need some advantages tog et noticed (but in sme ways it was always like that - the jobs just paid more in the bubble years). If you have a lot of work coming in and have a strong portoflio then it might be worth your while working in the industry and pos. picking up qualifications in your spare time. If you aren't in a strong position like that then I'd recommend you get on one of those courses and pos. pick up some work while you are at it. That way you will get good broad training in various skils and techniques (flexibility is always good) whilst building up a portfolio to help when you have finished.

So nothing specific I'm afraid but basically a degree in this field will help you but it isn't necessary. However, which ever appraoch you go for I'd recommend you try and get a mix of education and real work experience. As both will act more to your advantage than either one or the other and it will allow you to adapt to circumstances and transition from one to the other - you may get a great offer whilst working and decide to suspend your education for a bit or work might get slack and having certificcates/modules under your belt will help get you on a course.

As we seem to be playing relay with this topic I'll hand you over to Copey and/or Dracusis as they are doing similar things and can pos. give you some good advice on whether they feel such courses are worthwhile.

[edit: typo frenzy]
___________________
Emps

FAQs: Emperor

First, I'm not a professional designer or artist (trying to be, though: p). And I'm heading into the big wide world of design in the UK very soon (June, July or now if I can, once I leave college). But I can only give you what I know, seen and have form other designers around where I live, which is the Liverpool, that have come into college for interviews and things. I'm sure a few others around that have worked in the industry would give great advice about the big bad world of designing or graphic design.

Now answers you questions:

Q1. If this is what I'm wanting to be doing, will having a degree actually be a great deal of use?

A. Yes it will, but not always. Your skills and talent should show up first and then your education. Your work is far more important than education, in my opinion. But having a good high education is better than anything to get your foot through the door.

Q2. Will a degree make me more likely of getting a fairly good job in the field? (I'm not interested in earning loads, I'd just like to be comfortable)?

A. Yes and No, it's the same as above, your skills, talent and not to forget your network of people, will either make you rich or poor. Having a degree means bugger all if you have little contacts to get work form. But money is not every thing, if you enjoy art & design and can live comfortable, but enjoy it, isn't that better than being rich and miserable?

Q3. Is it true the market for jobs is really *that* competitive?

A. Yes!! it is very competitive, if you out in the cold. There is about 100, 000 students leaving UNI's and colleges that want a job in design areas (I'm one of them). So one job will be hard to get, but not if you know people and can get a headfirst. So start off with small jobs and work your way up the ladder.

If you are wondering what to do in UNI or college. Talk to the career adviser/s (I know they talk balls most of the time, but might point in the right way) and see what is available, get a prospects book and course leaflets and read them. Go to open days, see if you can talk to the teachers and student about the course/s and see what they have to say about the course/s that you are thing about taking. Talk your family, friend, ect about it. Then weigh it all up if the course/s are for you or not, even if there not you can change course/s when you there. Do all that if you have not done that already.

Now about Job?s and design industry as it self here in the UK. I can?t say much about it, as I?m not there yet, but look at magazines, design magazines like Computer Arts, Creative review and other design related magazines and web sites like Creative Pro and read about all that stuff there.

As for getting jobs, it?s up to you to get them, Just like all jobs. It?s your contacts, your little network or knowing people of people knowing people, ect and your skills and talent, that will get you work or not. The word of mouth is the greatest thing for a designer or artist trying and hoping to make a living from art and design. But if your going to UNI or college I?m sure that they should help all they can with careers and help for job finding in the art & design industry, by work placement, designers coming into UNI or college to talks about jobs and all things design related.

Hope that helps if not ask more questions and I?ll try and answering them, unless some with more Know-how comes along :-D.

::: COPEY + CELL + DA + GFX :::

The paper will get you a couple of things as well.

First say it comes to pass that you end up not liking doing graphic design. Where you might be able to get a design gig based on a good portfolio it would be much harder to get into another field of work without a degree. However that degree will open many doors for you no matter what field you study. It's been my experience that theres tons of people working in areas that they didn't study for (I probably know more people doing things unrelated to their degree than those actually working in the field they studied in college in fact). Heck my degree is in Radio and Television with an emphasis in Audio Production and I bascially do web work.

Second you may find yourself in a position where you want to do some sort of post-graduate work that you can't comprehend now, law school MBA etc. I'm contemplating going back for a MBA (Masters of Business Administration) something I never even considered when I was a wet behind the ears college grad, but something that looks more interesting as I've matured.

In terms of the work situation, well right now times are tough you may be better off going to uni just to keep yourself out of the mess of a job pool while the economy works itself out.

Anyway I say get the degree for many of the reasons listed above. It can only help and not getting it now may only lead to regret later.



.:[ Never resist a perfect moment ]:.

Quisja: I think you might find this link helpful, especailly in a rough market like this. http://www.ozoneasylum.com/Archives/Archive-000002/HTML/20020704-1-004441.html

1. Yes a degree will help.
2. It will, but it helps to have a great portfolio to back it up too. In this field, sure a piece of paper is great, but your portfolio demonstrates your knowledge. Sometimes they just look at your porfolio too. Get to know the programs that you work with and Practice, Practice, Practice! (The Asylum is great for that!)
3. Does 'cut throat' give new meaning? (highly competitive!)

I wanted to go into webdesign, and I have done that... but the design field has other avenues. My diploma is in multimedia / web design / animation but right now I am working as a book illustrator.



The programmer's national anthem is 'AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH''

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Some people (ok...me) often say that a degree means nothing, and that *learning* is the important part.

I honestly believe that.

Empoyers, unfortunately, do not. So yes, a degree will be an important asset in landing a job, for a variety of reasons. Top on the lisst is that it shows dedication and the ability to 'get the job done'. It also is an indication that other people had some faith in your ability, which is reassuring to an employer.

Is the market that competitive? I assume you're familiar with the term 'starving artist'? Yeah...that about sums it up






[This message has been edited by DL-44 (edited 04-30-2003).]

Thank you, everyone who replied was proper helpful. I do know some people in semi-related fields, who have put me in touch with some of their friends, so that's a start on the networking. And a lot of the unversities offer some sort of work placement/work experience thing too. So thanks again. If I need to ask anything else I can't find out, then you can expect me back...


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