Career Choice: Multimedia?
<div class="IPBDescription">Deciding on my future...</div> Less than two years to go for me until I finish my personal hell, (a.k.a. school), and the inevitable question vomited in the face of every teen is brought up: “What are you planning to do when you grow up?”
After a lengthy standoff between four contenders, (multimedia, medical doctor, psychologist, and something related to theology), I’ve finally opted to be a multimedia artist, (focuses being on computer animation, writing, and drawing). Taking a multimedia class right now, I asked my teacher and she says she knows two friends who average $80,000CDN for animating video games. At the same time, I’ve been hearing that several jobs related to working with computers, (though I am not too clear whether multimedia is part of this recession). Although I don’t think my dad knows to much about career options in multimedia, he is not pleased with my field of choice, (I think this bias is due to the fact that I spend too much time on the computer, and he wants me to have a career that doesn’t demand more than 85% of your time on the computer). He’s been trying to dissuade by telling me that my uncle lost his job awhile ago in computer systems analyst, as well telling me he knows a friend whose two sons can’t find a job with their degree in computer science. Not that I don’t believe him, but I’m not interested in <b>computer science</b>, I’m interested in <b>computer animation</b>. He refuses to make that distinction.
I can well see that multimedia is/will become an extremely competitive field, as even a six-year-old kid can use Flash nowadays. But heck, considering the other options I had before, such as job in the medical field; that’s just as, if not, more competitive! Besides, my passion doesn’t lie there, and I definitely do <b>not</b> want to become a doctor that within time, no longer has the energy to really care for his/her patients, (I’m no Patch Adams…). Where my passion lies is in creating things; and I feel that I can really make something with the computer/pencil and paper.
I’d really appreciate any input on what you guys have heard, or experiences with multimedia as a job/career. Thanks!
After a lengthy standoff between four contenders, (multimedia, medical doctor, psychologist, and something related to theology), I’ve finally opted to be a multimedia artist, (focuses being on computer animation, writing, and drawing). Taking a multimedia class right now, I asked my teacher and she says she knows two friends who average $80,000CDN for animating video games. At the same time, I’ve been hearing that several jobs related to working with computers, (though I am not too clear whether multimedia is part of this recession). Although I don’t think my dad knows to much about career options in multimedia, he is not pleased with my field of choice, (I think this bias is due to the fact that I spend too much time on the computer, and he wants me to have a career that doesn’t demand more than 85% of your time on the computer). He’s been trying to dissuade by telling me that my uncle lost his job awhile ago in computer systems analyst, as well telling me he knows a friend whose two sons can’t find a job with their degree in computer science. Not that I don’t believe him, but I’m not interested in <b>computer science</b>, I’m interested in <b>computer animation</b>. He refuses to make that distinction.
I can well see that multimedia is/will become an extremely competitive field, as even a six-year-old kid can use Flash nowadays. But heck, considering the other options I had before, such as job in the medical field; that’s just as, if not, more competitive! Besides, my passion doesn’t lie there, and I definitely do <b>not</b> want to become a doctor that within time, no longer has the energy to really care for his/her patients, (I’m no Patch Adams…). Where my passion lies is in creating things; and I feel that I can really make something with the computer/pencil and paper.
I’d really appreciate any input on what you guys have heard, or experiences with multimedia as a job/career. Thanks!
Comments
you get to write space invaders in java and it only uses 550 megs of memory ( this is currently teh record as i know it fora java game)
also you can work in hollywood:)
my vote is this give it a whirl if you hate it its never too late to be something else
oh and at IUB its art oo:)
And yes, Comp. Science is programming, not animation, so don't let any nub talk you into that. When it comes to computer careers, your high school cousellers have no idea WTH they're talking about.
As far as animating video games, keep in mind that while places like id, Valve, and epic are exceptions, the video game industry is actually one of the lowest paying industries. Or at least so I hear, I dunno maybe somebody w/ experience (hi flayra) can set this straight.
As far as just using FLASH.. well, i don't think you're gonna find a degree for that heh. Gotta do more than that. :P
As far as your parents go.. They'll understand better when you show them hard facts about how much $$ you could make, especially if they have jobs that don't require education (like mine). I remember when my mom told me I should stop dreaming about being a programmer and think about a job that I could earn enough money to live on. heh. Then I showed her some of the salary figures... To this day she just can't comprehend that I'll (hopefully) make more $ for my first year salary than her and dad make combined...
However, theres always room for someone with passion and skill. Above all, do something you like!
Heh, my folks are the same way. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
I graduated an electronics engineering program about 6 months ago, and every time either one of them reads a job posting for 'computer technician', they'd forward it to me. I've stopped counting the number of times I'd tell them it's an <i>electronics</i> program, and <i>not</i> computer repair. The only contact I had with a computer through the whole program was for embedded microcontroller programming, some interfacing, and for viewing electronics datasheets.
Finally, I explained to them exactly what I did in school, what I learned, and the type of job I'm capable of doing. They still don't totally understand (they're both somewhat technologically-illiterate), but they aren't forwarding me any 'minimum-wage tech support' jobs any more. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.natural-selection.org/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
I'm definitely more doubtful about the path I'm headed for, which is good, cause reality needs to stretch my eyes with tweezers to really see what the outlook is, but I'm sure I'll stick with the original advice. Thanks for the input!
If I were a graphic designer, I'd not place my hopes of future revenues on business solutions designed for companies. At the moment, business through the web sucks major (nasty word here). This is just because it will probably take some time for both web designers/programmers and graphic designers to understand that when a client wishes to make a transaction, the said client doesn't need flash animation to accompany it. In fact, the old ASCII-format systems used in the 80's and 90's are much better equipped for repeated FAST use.
Animation, advertising, film CGI, business graphics - that's where it's at. I hope business solutions go back to ASCII graphics and simple keyboard-driven menus. Atleast my web bank would work faster that way.
As for the topic itself, Yes.
Gifted animators and artists are a godsend. If you have the talent and the will to work for advances, go for it.
In a related note, I'd just like to say that school doesn't magically become wonderful when you go off to college. It still sucks. Not as bad as high school, but its not pleasant either.
I guess I'd compare it to being shot in the shoulder rather than shot in the stomach. Better, but you're still being shot...
Me, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I got to college, and some people say thats the best way to start out. I stared in computer science and engineering, but I found out that I suck a programming, so I went to electrical engineering, but I didn't like it, so now Im in something call Geograprical and Information Systems (i work with maps on computers). Even though I have changed my major 3 times I can still get out after 4 years (im in my 3rd year now).
yah, basicaly stick with what you like, look for a school thats got a good CG department(section what ever)
And seeing how as I am a CS major, I say take some programing classes, it will help you greatly <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> (I think every one should know how to program some basic stuff ;D)
yah, GL (back to procrastination, I aint sleeping tonight)