when people ask me what i want to do when i graduate, i think not look at a computer screen for six months and do nothing but sit on a beach with nicolaus. but what i actually say is "work full-time and put nick through school, since he's got a few years left."
then they usually want to know what i want to do with my graphic design degree and i think hang it up on my wall to stare at and wonder if it was worth devoting five years of my life to. instead i say, "i'm not sure yet - just anything in the design field that i can get a job in."
these are totally normal questions to ask and sometimes i wish i had better answers to them. i feel like i need to have a clearer idea of what i want out of a career and be more vigorously looking for a job to start when i graduate. but the problem is, i just feel burnt out. i feel creatively and mentally exhausted.
i want to take time to learn on my own and do projects of my choice - not to please a teacher or a boss but to really discover my own style and aesthetic. i know there is still so much more i want/need to learn about design and i think that's another reason i'm scared to get a real job pertaining to it. i don't feel ready. if i've learned anything in college, it's how much i still don't know. but you have to start somewhere. and then you learn as you go. i think i need to tattoo this on both hands as an everyday reminder.
p.s. if you are also a stressed out college student you should probably click here and here to enjoy two internet funnies :)
I ALWAYS feel inadequate when it comes to answering those types of questions or at the very least underwhelming so I understand your confusion and your doubt in terms of what direction you want to go in. I'd say go with your gut because either way I'm sure you'll get the results you seek. On the one hand, I think as a creative person, it's important to step away and get to know your identity as a creative person, but on the other hand, diving into a job related to that passion could help harness your aesthetic as well.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only one who struggled with that inner dialogue but I'm learning that sometimes you can't look for you leap, you have to just jump :) And thanks for the de-stressors lol
this is perfectly true. haha and it is comforting to know other people feel the same way :)
Deleteand thanks for some encouraging words - they are very needed and appreciated!
I actually changed my route with school because of all those questions, and quickly realizing I wanted to do something else. So.much.time gets invested. I love your degree though, I'm sure you can't go wrong with it, and will get a great job!
ReplyDeletesoo so true. so much time. but thank you i am really hoping that's the case! :)
DeleteI laughed out loud when I read what you want to do with your five year design degree. Same, girl. I want to get my degree, display it proudly, and then nap for six years to recover from school! I have quite a few years left with my Bachelor's and then on to my Master's. If I spend too much time thinking about it I start going quite insane. Honestly, taking it one day at a time and staying as stress free and inspired as possible will help the future more than anything else :)
ReplyDeleteEm
Tightrope to the Sun
haha yesss i'm so glad you get it :) but that is exciting! i am in awe of anyone who gets a master's degree!
DeleteI'm right there with you! I had quite the breakdown the other day. If one more person asks, "What are you doing when you graduate?" I will flip a brick! Yet, next week can't come soon enough!! I
ReplyDeletehaha exactly!!!
Deletehave you thought about opening an etsy shop and offering design services? My college roommate started out designing wedding invites and worked her way up, helping with Kinfolk magazine and is now the art director for Verily magazine. YOU CAN DO IT!!!! just remember, all good things take time.
ReplyDeleteoh wow that is amazing!! kinfolk is INCREDIBLE. i really do need to do something like that...thank you!!! :)
DeleteI always feel so lame when people ask me what I want to do when I graduate. I DON'T KNOOWWWWWWW. I should probably figure it out as I only have a few months left. Can totally relate with the burnt out feeling, five years is a very long time. Maybe you could try focus on the things that you love to do (or what you end up doing instead of study) and maybe open an Etsy shop offering those products? Could lead to more.. :)
ReplyDeleteyes yes yes. you're totally right. haha and i'm glad we're in the same boat :)
DeleteCHAAAAYLA i felt the exact same way so many times throughout the ad program. I go back and forth between wanting to go hard core into advertising and wanting to ditch it altogether. it's so hard to not get burt out in a creative field, especially when there is so much being demanded of you. lately part of me has just said "screw it" and i've just been doing whatever i want, just working hard at it. hope you can 'fill your well' soon! (I think thats what the designers call it hahaha)
ReplyDeletealso, if you're ever wanting to collab on any projects, I AM YOUR GIRL. hit me up and we can brainstorm and make some beautiful things.
love you girl
haha all i can say is one, big DITTO. and YES to making beautiful things with you. aaaand i love you too :)
DeleteI was the same way before I graduated...just keep in mind anything is possible. Dream big! you can't fail unless you try in the first place. and remember a lot of people are in the same boat as you. A LOT. ha.
ReplyDeletehaha too true. thanks for the reminder! now can you just tell me that once a day everyday? haha but really thank you :)
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