I've been in community school for two years studying business admin. My grades are good, but not great... mostly because it's hard to find motivation when your classes feel like 13th grade. I've realized recently just how far away I still am from my degree (2-3 years) and how much BS there will still be with finding a local school that fits me, applying to transfer, and getting financial aid or convincing my parents to foot the bill. Plus, I'm starting to question how much I really enjoy this major. I started out with the plan of running my own business right after college. The problem is that when I'll already be ~$50k in debt, it might be a little hard to take the leap into a startup.

I've always had a passion for music, but not a lot of talent learning to play anything. I've been looking at audio production as a major. The Art Institute in LA offers 3-year BA programs... but at $85k plus living costs, I'd be WELL over $100k in debt. My parents MIGHT pay my tuition at a university, but wouldn't if I went into something like this.

I know a girl who got a degree from FIDM for Interior Design, got burned out, and now works in a totally different field for $12/hr. I just don't want that to happen to me.

Thoughts?

 

u want to get into the audio production industry in LA???!? good luck with that. i know a guy who graduated from UCLA and is one of hundreds of free interns at a major record label. Competition in that industry is fierce in LA because eveyone is completely enamored by the whole fascade that hollywood potrays. but if you think you can do it, more power to you. if you are going to make that kind of investmnet, make sure you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.

 

if you are not sure. finish what you started..IMO

 

You are not crazy. Do something you love, even if you are poor you'll enjoy life rather than doing something you hate. I love my job, but getting here was difficult and I wanted to quit so many times.

 

i disagree. being poor sux ass. i rather endure something i dont enjoy for 8 hours a day so i can have the funds to do whatever i want on the weekends. there is a special help group for those that dislike their jobs. they meet at the bar weekly.

if you genuinely hate what you are doing, quit. but, if you can endure it and there is a chance at making lotsa money, i say stick it out. first calculate your expected dollar value and then plug into your expected utility function. this should help you sort things out.

 

I do agree that you should do something you love, but don't believe you should get yourself $100k in debt for a job where you'll make $25k yearly.

Keep in mind there is always another way to do things. I doubt Master P or P Diddy have college degrees, and they run record labels. If this is something you love then I'd recommend learning as much as you can about it, getting your foot in the door at a company, and busting your ass while making all the contacts you can.

 

Audio production is one of those "who you know businesses" It's even tougher to get into than getting a record deal.

 

I have this buddy named Scott Storch. Maybe he can help you .

 

You need balance. You need to do something that interests you AND pays the bills. Doing something you're passionate about, but being broke is not the way to go IMO. Doing something you hate is only ok if you rake in serious dough. Engineering is certainly not my passion, but its interesting, and I enjoy it somewhat.. and it pays well, so here I am.

 

[QUOTE=vtec9,Jun 20 2007, 11:34 AM] You need balance.