Job or College?

[Goafer]

Right, I've got a choice to make. I'm pretty set that I want to do something with photography career wise. I need to choose whether to go back to college for 2 years and study photography, or keep trying to get an entry level job in photography and work my way up. I already have a qualification in photography, but it's only one of those part time courses (over 6 months) and the woman who I had an interview with pretty much said it was useless since it was film based. Although I'm certain I can apply it to photography jobs since it included studio work and other stuff that's universal between digital and film photography (framing, exposure times, aperture etc). The woman who I did an interview also said that I had a better portfolio than some of the "professional" photographers she had interviewed.

 

I'm currently in a job where I might be able to change my hours to suit a college timetable. Even if I cant, I'm single handedly running a petrol station throughout the night (seriously, I'm the only person in the building), so I'd probably do well at getting another job in retail.

 

I like the idea of going back to college, since I miss my school days, but I wonder how beneficial it will be. I think a lot of it is studying other photographers and the history of photography, rather than purely practical methods. Although I'm almost certain it will contain some studio photography, which would help, since we only briefly covered it in night classes.

 

 

So the question: Do I keep trying to get an entry level job in photography, or go to college full time for 2 years to help my chances (whilst also being empoverished)?

Edited June 3, 2009 by Goafer

[jayseven]

Can you go back to college for free still? If you can, can you do just the one module? if so, then you'll theoretically only be needed at college for about 7 hours a fortnight, so theoretically you could hold down an entry-level job at the same time. I notice that you're quite pro-active, so the added hours they'd expect you to put in for the projects at college (arguably something like three or four per hour in school) would still be possible, if not perhaps a little straining.

 

So yeah - my advice is basically it depends on the hours you'd need to spare for college.

[Letty]

I'd def go for the actual entry-level job, although qualifications are needed I feel experience is more important than theory.

 

My friend started out as an apprentice architect, and after 15 years is making seventy grand a year with no formal qualifications except a HNC and structrucal engineering certifactes.

 

If you go down the qualfication route remember, you will lose years of work experience and think about who you are competing against for the jobs. Are they older? Have they got better qualifications as well as work experience etc?

 

I'd go for part time college + full time entry job (30 hours a week max) or it might get impossible to manage!

 

http://www.Pro-HL.com

 

Th-

[Goafer]

Can you go back to college for free still? If you can, can you do just the one module?

 

Unfortunately not. It's £900ish for the 2 years. Sounds pretty reasonable to me.

 

And me, proactive? I don't think you know me all l too well. I'm spectacularly lazy!

 

I think if I'm honest the main reason I want to go back to college is to prolong the inevitable task of starting a career. That and I enjoyed my night classes, so college sounds fun. But I also think it might help my chances of getting an enrty level job to begin with.

 

I'd def go for the actual entry-level job, although qualifications are needed I feel experience is more important than theory.

 

If you go down the qualfication route remember, you will lose years of work experience

 

That's what I'm thinking. Although getting a bottom end job might be tricky without a decent qualification to begin with. It's quite a pickle.

[Katie]

Well I don't know how many entry level jobs are offered, but I would think it would be easier to get one with some qualifications under your belt? Will you end up wasting time trying to get a job when you could be studying?

 

If you would prefer to go to college I see no reason why not to, it's a good time to study whilst jobs are hard to get. If you can't do the course part time, maybe you could get photography work part time? It might be easier to get into once you're studying the subject too.

[Kirkatronics]

Try do both.

Get a part time job, and go to college.

That way if you feel your making progress in your job you can quit college, and if the job doesnt take you anywhere youve lost nothing.

[Goafer]

Ideally, I'd like to get a bottom end job. But I'm not sure how likely that is without a decent qualification.

 

It's a bit of a gamble really. I could either spend 2 years at college getting the qualification, or spend those 2 years trying to get an entry level job with only a part time qualification on my CV (photography based anyway, I have A levels etc) and a semi decent portfolio (check the deviantart link in my sig to see what I mean).

 

Luckily I'm still young (ish. 23) so I still have plenty of time to sort out a career, but It's been 5 years since I left school and I need to start thinking about a career really. I always said I'd never go back to education untill I was sure what I wanted to do so I didn't waste time/money. Now I'm sure what I want to do, I'm not sure how to do it. Experience or qualifications. You need experience to get the job, but a qualification would help to get the experience. But by the time I get the qualification, I'll be 25 (almost 26) and I can imagine employers looking for young people to train for entry jobs. The only thing I can think of that would put me above youngsters is my work experience in other areas.

[Kirkatronics]

Ideally, I'd like to get a bottom end job. But I'm not sure how likely that is without a decent qualification.

 

It's a bit of a gamble really. I could either spend 2 years at college getting the qualification, or spend those 2 years trying to get an entry level job with only a part time qualification on my CV (photography based anyway, I have A levels etc) and a semi decent portfolio (check the deviantart link in my sig to see what I mean).

 

Luckily I'm still young (ish. 23) so I still have plenty of time to sort out a career, but It's been 5 years since I left school and I need to start thinking about a career really. I always said I'd never go back to education untill I was sure what I wanted to do so I didn't waste time/money. Now I'm sure what I want to do, I'm not sure how to do it. Experience or qualifications. You need experience to get the job, but a qualification would help to get the experience. But by the time I get the qualification, I'll be 25 (almost 26) and I can imagine employers looking for young people to train for entry jobs. The only thing I can think of that would put me above youngsters is my work experience in other areas.

If you dont have one lined up id go to college.

The bottom end jobs are after the best they can get for it, which means experience in most cases.

Who would you pick?

Someone young, and unexperienced.

Or someone with 10 years experience.

 

You might get lucky, but id tae the college root. There arent many jobs now.

[bluey]

the answer is: jollege!

 

for the love of PENGUINS if the course you're looking at is only £900 DO IT.

i'd sell a kidney to be able to go back to college/uni now...

 

in fact i'd HAVE to to be able to afford the fees >___>

do it now before you're too old and would look weird going back to college.

 

do.

it.

[Goafer]

do it now before you're too old and would look weird going back to college

 

But I could be the creepy old cool guy. Like the Fonz.

 

Yeah I'm thinking college probably is the best bet. Just need to get in now. There's an interview and mini project apparently!

 

Good thing is, I already know someone from the part time course who is going to be doing the full time one so I won't be alone. Plus she is stunning, but alas, spoken for and a little too young. Not Illegal, just too young for me.

 

Wow I went off on one there...

[Dan_Dare]

yeah..you did.

 

I reckon college. A willingness to put the time in and work towards a profession will look good, too. Especially if you're still working.

[Raining_again]

Go for a job where you have potential to climb up the ladder.

 

I can say the best thing I did after leaving college was getting a job (rather than going to uni)

[Goafer]

I have the potential to climb up the ladder at the petrol station, but I'll be buggered if I'm going to do it. Someone's already mentioned making me a "champion". Basically a person who specialises in something. Eg, a health and safety champion would ensure everything is healthy and safe.

 

I don't really see the obsession with climbing the ladder to be honest. Unless there's a career you're passionate about of course. But even then, if you're happy with just a job I don't see the problem. I'd be happy to do any photography job that pays enough to pay the bills without ever moving up the ladder to be honest.

[Raining_again]

I have the potential to climb up the ladder at the petrol station, but I'll be buggered if I'm going to do it. Someone's already mentioned making me a "champion". Basically a person who specialises in something. Eg, a health and safety champion would ensure everything is healthy and safe.

 

I don't really see the obsession with climbing the ladder to be honest. Unless there's a career you're passionate about of course. But even then, if you're happy with just a job I don't see the problem. I'd be happy to do any photography job that pays enough to pay the bills without ever moving up the ladder to be honest.

 

But do you want to stay at the same level getting the same rubbish pay, just managing (or not) to pay the bills every month?

[Goafer]

But do you want to stay at the same level getting the same rubbish pay, just managing (or not) to pay the bills every month?

 

Oh yeah, a job has to comfortably pay the bills. I meant more the obsession people seem to have with climbing the ladder and career progression. As long as a job is something I enjoy doing and it keeps me comfortable financially, I'm happy to do it for as long as it remains enjoyable. Obviously if the next step up the ladder is more enjoyable, I'll take it.

 

I've always said I'd rather be on a reasonable wage and happy than on a brilliant wage and miserable/stressed.

[nightwolf]

Both are actually worth while doing, but from what I know of the course I do and the photography students who work along side me at uni, portfolio is key and I reckon you could make a better portfolio at college than anywhere else.

 

I happen to agree, after watching my parents strive for years through jobs they really haven't ever enjoy, the only benefit is good pay, I would never follow that path unless it was something you did happen to enjoy. Win win?

 

Just my tiny tiny two cents.

[fex]

Hmm this is a tough one.

 

How are you with the technical aspect of photograpy? If your not up to scratch, then go to college and learn the ins and outs.

 

How realistic is it that you will get a photography job without any qualifications in the subject? If ten people apply and 3 have no qualifcations, 4 have A Levels and the other 3 have degrees, 99% of the time the person who will get the job will have some form or education within the subject.

 

Education isn't the be all and end all, if you dont go down the college route then make sure you get some experiance, wedding photography, wildlife, etc and build up one kick ass portfolio so you are able to compete with anyone else who has been to college.

 

Or join the RAF as a photographer and get paid whilst you learn?

 

Edit. The photography sector has a large percentage of freelancers and the may be the only option if there are no jobs at present.

Edited June 3, 2009 by fex

[Raining_again]

Oh yeah, a job has to comfortably pay the bills. I meant more the obsession people seem to have with climbing the ladder and career progression. As long as a job is something I enjoy doing and it keeps me comfortable financially, I'm happy to do it for as long as it remains enjoyable. Obviously if the next step up the ladder is more enjoyable, I'll take it.

 

I've always said I'd rather be on a reasonable wage and happy than on a brilliant wage and miserable/stressed.

 

tbh staying at the bottom/entry level is really not a good place to be. Employees at the bottom tend to be totally expendable. And treated badly. Entry level money is abysmal. If you don't like the idea of moving up in the career are in, chances are you are in the wrong career.

 

I started at entry level (probably still somewhat there) - its not a happy place to be. When you actually HAVE to work day in day out in the same job, no challenge, it's not a good place at all.

 

Saying that I take your point, its all too true. Minimal is probably more important than everything, but you can achieve a balance between the two.

 

I know too well of the people you talk about. The ones who are constantly stepping on people to get a better job. My bosses bosses boss has climbed 3 levels in the past 4 years (in between maternity leave with 2 children!!!) and has had her job created for her. (the NHS is unbelievably corrupt)

[S.C.G]

 

I've always said I'd rather be on a reasonable wage and happy than on a brilliant wage and miserable/stressed.

 

Totally agree, I know jobs are what they are and not meant to be fun but some aspects of a job can be enjoyable, for instance in my current job - working in a kitchen - I enjoy preparing salads and things like that, I don't know why but I just do... >.>

 

Also being thanked by my co-workers quite often is nice, in truth I really don't do that much though I think sometimes, just loads of small things :/ but I guess they all add up.

 

As for the stuff I don't really like, there's plenty lol all the cleaning jobs that need to be done can suck, tonight I had to fold up the dirty aprons and put them in a box ready to be taken away to be cleaned, loads of dishes need to be washed and the amount of food that I have to throw away is obscene sometimes. >.<

 

But I just get on with it, 'cos it is a job anyway I kinda went off on one there but getting back on track, if I was offered a higher wage for more hours and more responsibility I would think hard before accepting it, quite a few people go on to be managers where I work and employees have the oppourtunity to train for such a position but seeing first-hand how stressed some of them get with the pressure I'm not that sure if it's a position I would want or not, atm I'm still reasonably happy in my job all things considered even if I do complain about certain things.

 

So I think your attitude towards work is good Goaferboy, having more money for more responsibility is all very well but if the long hours and pressure end up making you miserable then it's not worth it and in many ways you're better off on lower pay with part of your hapiness intact.

[Goafer]

How are you with the technical aspect of photograpy? If your not up to scratch, then go to college and learn the ins and outs.

 

How realistic is it that you will get a photography job without any qualifications in the subject? If ten people apply and 3 have no qualifcations, 4 have A Levels and the other 3 have degrees, 99% of the time the person who will get the job will have some form or education within the subject.

 

Or join the RAF as a photographer and get paid whilst you learn?

 

 

1: Technically, I'm ok. I can do most things with a camera. I could do with some improvement on studio work though.

 

2: Thats my main concern. Experience is most important, but it's harder to get experience without a qualification. Although 2 years of applying instead of college might be enough to get someone to take me on (photographers assistant etc).

 

3: Good point. Didn't realise the RAF did photography though TBH.

[MoogleViper]

1: Technically, I'm ok. I can do most things with a camera. I could do with some improvement on studio work though.

 

2: Thats my main concern. Experience is most important, but it's harder to get experience without a qualification. Although 2 years of applying instead of college might be enough to get someone to take me on (photographers assistant etc).

 

3: Good point. Didn't realise the RAF did photography though TBH.

 

http://www.raf.mod.uk/careers/jobs/photographer.cfm

 

Pretty much anything you can do as a civvy you can do in the RAF.

[Dante]

I'd def go for the actual entry-level job, although qualifications are needed I feel experience is more important than theory.

 

My friend started out as an apprentice architect, and after 15 years is making seventy grand a year with no formal qualifications except a HNC and structrucal engineering certifactes.

 

If you go down the qualfication route remember, you will lose years of work experience and think about who you are competing against for the jobs. Are they older? Have they got better qualifications as well as work experience etc?

 

I'd go for part time college + full time entry job (30 hours a week max) or it might get impossible to manage!

 

http://www.Pro-HL.com

 

Th-

 

hmm? .......

[EEVILMURRAY]

You seem amazingly troubled. Give me some questions and I will ask my Magic 8 Ball.

[Dante]

You seem amazingly troubled. Give me some questions and I will ask my Magic 8 Ball.

 

I am not amazingly troubled at all.

[EEVILMURRAY]

I am not amazingly troubled at all.

I was referring to goaferboy's many questions of life.