« October 2007 | Main | December 2007 »

No Starving Artists Here

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

I have a dream job. I make video games and get paid a decent amount to do so. I can’t count the number of times that I have told people what I do and they are incredulous because they weren’t aware that it was possible to do something artistic and get paid for it. My degree is in Animation and I’ve also had people say that they had no idea you could even get a degree in that. Despite all of the video games on the shelf at the store, and all the movies that are out, and all of the advertising that you see around you, they hadn’t thought about the fact that someone had to make all of it.

Now, not all art fields are created equal. Some art fields are freelance and it can be hard, especially at first to get a steady job. Examples of freelance jobs are often those in the fields of Illustration, Painting, and Sequential Art. These fields can take years to break into and require hard work and dedication, but it’s not impossible to find work in them. Commercial art on the other hand is in high demand and pays very well. Commercial art is where you work for a studio to create work to be published to the general public. Examples of such fields are Graphic Design, Advertising Design, Game Development, Animation, and Visual Effects.

There are many colleges that offer both Bachelor and Master’s degrees in specific art fields. It doesn’t matter much which college you choose to attend, although some things to consider are facilities, what sort of experience the faculty have and that it is an accredited program. Some colleges are private and therefore expensive, but they are often the best ones and will give you the best opportunity to get a job. There are student loans available, some with a 30 year term of repayment, to those who cannot afford to attend college. Cost should not stop you from pursuing your dreams.

So when your child comes to you and says that they want to be an animator when they grow up, don’t dismiss them out of hand. Don’t let the cost of college scare you either. The cost of college is far less than the cost of not having an education. After all, top animators at Disney during their heyday in the early 90s were making more than a million dollars a year. And even if they don’t wind up making millions, it’s worth it to have a job you absolutely love. It makes it easy to get up and go to work everyday when you like what you do.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

"I'm going to become a doctor." With these words, many undergraduate students enter their first year of college, full of hopes of a future in the field of medicine. I was, and am still, a premed student, just like many of these college freshmen start out as.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

The first year of college or university life can be very difficult for students. With many out on their own for the first time, and now largely void of parental guidance, it becomes an important time to learn and make truly independent choices.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Personal tutors render a valuable service to university students. A one-to-one meeting with your personal tutor can help to resolve any problems you are having in your course and it can also give you the opportunity to change classes, discuss your academic progress and so on.


My Experience as a Liberal Arts Major at Georgia Tech

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

"I'm a ramblin' wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer," are the proud lyrics to my school's song. But I am among the growing ranks who must change the words to "and hell if I'm an engineer." I am a student at the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts at Georgia Institute of Technology.


What it Means to Be a "Boilermaker"

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Purdue University undoubtedly bears one of the most unusual nicknames among major colleges and universities in the United States today. If you go to Purdue you will officially and forever be known as a "boilermaker" even if you never go near or own a boiler.


What's Wonderful About Wake

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

In North Carolina there are three schools, that seem to grab the attention of even out of state students looking for a quality education. Some find themselves gravitating towards Duke University and some select the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill but many also take a look at nearby Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC.


Laying the Foundation for a Successful Career

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Journalism majors will not only leave college knowing how to write effectively. They must also be able to communicate with others and be knowledgeable about fields outside their program.

As a communications major with a journalism concentration, I'm going to introduce you to some of the basic classes you'll probably be required to take.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Recently Simpson College, located in Indianola, Iowa, has broadened its educational horizons and added a major that is fast becoming one of the most popular across the nation. The Forensic Science/Biochemistry major is now being offered at Simpson College in the heart of the midwest.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

With a new class of high school students graduating from high school and entering college, the issue of college major presents itself. Many students enter college undecided, and some change majors once they have been in college for a few semesters.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Making the letter writing process as easy and organized as possible for those who have agreed to write your letters of recommendation is worth whatever time and effort you put into it. Not only does a well-organized packet help your recommenders (or "letter writers") to generate a targeted and strong letter for you, but it also distinguishes you as a professional student.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Junior colleges are an excellent way to earn a degree or to receive credits that will transfer over to a four year college or university. A junior college known as Palo Alto is an excellent example of this, and it is located in San Antonio, Texas.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Sussex County Community College, SCCC, or sometimes it is called SC3, is located in Newton, NJ. Many students that attend classes there are from Pike County in Pennsylvania as well as the northern parts of NJ.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Is a degree in Criminal Justice right for you? I had a notion in high school that it wouldn't be so bad being a detective. What I really wanted was a degree in Marine Biology, however, it was frowned upon by the family.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

In the midst of the current going-to-college frenzy, I thought I would describe my current college, Grove City. Founded in 1876 by Isaac C. Ketler, Grove City College is a Liberal Arts college based on a Christian foundation.


Preparing to Prepare Others

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Boston is known throughout New England and the Northeast as a center for higher education. National academic powerhouses like Harvard, MIT, Tufts and Boston College are found here. An easy dozen other schools also sprawl across Beantown giving the city an active, young spirit.


Laying the Foundation for a Successful Career

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Journalism majors will not only leave college knowing how to write effectively. They must also be able to communicate with others and be knowledgeable about fields outside their program.

As a communications major with a journalism concentration, I'm going to introduce you to some of the basic classes you'll probably be required to take.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

One of the big attractions that draws people to Phoenix and the surrounding area are the large number of colleges and universities. If you are a scholar or student, this is a great place to call home.


A Look at a Leader in Private Education

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Georgetown University pride itself on its Jesuit tradition and it should. Established in the historic year, 1789, Georgetown is the oldest operating atholic college in the nation. In 2007, it continues to maintain a high national academic ranking, provide a multiplicity of learning disciplines, and foster Christian values in the tradition of the Catholic teaching order, the Jesuits.


Belonging to the Friar Family

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Providence College, since its founding in 1917, has had to deal with the fact that it is not another Brown University. Providence is not an Ivy League school that annually attracts the top students across the country.


Colleges and Universities Congressman that Have Historically Attended

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Higher education opens doors to many career paths. But which schools best prepare aspiring politicians for a job at the highest levels of elected office?

If you want a job in Congress, you are well-advised to go to college.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

First, people who are seeking higher income and also higher job opportunities turn to education by earning higher college degrees. However, you have to consider the fact that mixing work with education can be quite a hard task to do.


How, Where and Why to Get an M.A.T.

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

The title says it all. Teaching is an art form, and the need for "masters" or "highly qualified" educators is enormous in this No Child Left Behind environment. If you are completing an undergraduate education program, considering graduate school, or thinking about changing careers to become a teacher, then the M.A.T.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

I quite frequently get asked questions about my school, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, also known as FIDM. Since this is a fashion school, and not like a traditional college, there are a whole lot more questions when entering, and less access to answers.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

The college search process is undoubtedly an exciting and often confusing process for many high school junior and seniors, but one surefire way to satisfy your curiosity about a school is to visit it and take a tour.


Do Not Settle on a College Major Based on a Job

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

In considering the "best" college major, or trying to figure out what college major will nail one an "awesome" job, the student is on a road to disappointment. The parent, who is asked to help the child in choosing a major in college, is not doing the child a favor.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

So you are ready to go off to college but you didn't have time to visit them all? Look at my nice summaries below of the colleges I visited when I went through the process.

UD (U. of Delaware)- It was too hot to enjoy my tour today, however, I will try to not let that effect what I thought of the school for this entry.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

La Roche College is a tiny school tucked away in a northern suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There are not too many people who know about this college, but it is an up and coming institution that is in the process of making a name for itself.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, is a small, private school that is shrouded with an air of confusion. Known for its great education, Oglethorpe offers very little in terms of career training. Its students happily refer to the college as "The Bubble," but the tiny community can feel claustrophobic and restrictive at times.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

You are fresh out of high school or just now deciding to go to college and you are ready for a fresh new start. You have probably looked at local colleges and they just don’t fit your taste; or you have probably ruled out attending an ordinary community college.


Do the Right Stuff and Get a Seat at One of These Universities

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

You have a bachelor's degree and now you're ready to take the next step into your future. The field of law fascinates and excites you, but just where to go and how to get in plagues the mind. Where to begin?


Let’s be honest — “thankfulness” is probably not the first word that springs to mind when you consider your career. Maybe what rises up feels more like responsibility, necessity, or even drudgery.

But more likely than not, you were lucky enough to choose your career. It wasn’t dictated to you by society, or thrust upon you by your parents. And that’s what I’m thinking of as I prepare to eat this year’s bird and sustain a major tryptophan overdose: choices.

I’m thankful that today’s technology is such that I can do freelance work online, on my computer, in my home … and I can spend the rest of my time being a stay-at-home mom. This is ideal for me. I consider it the best of both worlds.

Maybe you’re thankful you don’t live in the 1950s and you have the option to be a full-time working mom, or just a working woman, period. Perhaps you’re a man who derives more satisfaction from working at home, or from being a stay-at-home dad. (BTW, the number of stay-at-home dads climbs higher every year: The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are 159,000 dads that made the choice to stay at home in 2006, compared to 143,000 in 2005.)

Isn’t it great that we have the opportunity to try out different roles, or create new ones altogether? Dads can stay home, moms can work, women can be CEOs, men can be nurses … or anything and everything in between.

Choices. Maybe you’re thankful you decided to leave your version of “The Office” to pursue your dream. Maybe you’re like me and you’re thankful for the Digital Age, which ushered in the work-from-home phenomenon.

Or maybe you’re not happy with the choices you’ve made so far. You got yourself into this job, but now you’re dying to get out. Why not consider making some different choices? It really is never too late to change careers, and of course, CollegeSurfing has a ton of career education resources to see you through the process.

This Thanksgiving, I’ll remember this: Whatever I’ve chosen and will choose for myself, I’m grateful to live in a generation where I have career choices at all.

Enjoy your turkey!

By Robyn Tellefsen and courtesy of CollegeSurfing Insider.

Small School, World Class Preparation

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA will never be confused with MIT or Cal Tech. It is not a big school with lots of brainiacs and a huge endowment. It is not the top choice for top students in Massachusetts or New England who are interested in technical training .



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

College is an important step to consider when a student graduates from high school. While some have their hearts set on universities for years, many are just focusing on which colleges are best for their majors just before the new semester begins.


Career Schools Offer Education Alternative for In-demand Careers

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Whether you are getting ready to graduate high school, or are thinking about starting school a little later in life, perhaps you overlooked a great educational option: attending a career school. Some people call them trade schools or technical schools, and some people call them career schools.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Like it or not, sometime during your college career you'll be asked to make an important decision that will help decide what you do upon graduation: selecting a major. There are a few things that all college students and prospective college students need to know before they commit to a program.


Prepare Your Mind and Body for the Semester Ahead

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

The summer months between high school graduation and your first semester of college will fly by. But that doesn't mean you can't make the most of the time you have to prepare for college. Of course, you'll be packing your things, visiting your new campus, registering for classes, attending orientations, and getting used to the idea of being farther away from your family and friends.


What's Waiting at South Bend

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Whether you look at it on a map or in person, there can be little argument that South Bend Indiana is an out of the way spot. Not abutting any major city, residents in South Bend have to like where they are, cause that's what they are pretty much confined to.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Preparing For College Admission - What you need to know, NOW!
If you are a student, or have a student, in junior high or high school, you've probably thought about college and whether or not you're qualified.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

Although there has been significant improvement against discrimination against women in the workforce, we still continue to be at a disadvantage relative to men in the workplace. When it comes to promotion and advancement, women are not being considered for these promotions because of their responsibilities as the primary bearers and care givers of children.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

You are fresh out of high school or just now deciding to go to college and you are ready for a fresh new start. You have probably looked at local colleges and they just don’t fit your taste; or you have probably ruled out attending an ordinary community college.


The Best University for You

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

The perfect college for you is out there. Right now, there seems to be too many possibilities for the soon-to-be high school graduate. But, do not worry; all you need to do is narrow down your search.


More Universities to Offer Chess Scholarships

Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

In one of the most ridiculous college admissions policies yet, more universities are deciding to hand out chess scholarships in hopes of attracting students the colleges would not normally attract.

Is it not bad enough that colleges already give out scholarships for sports in general, but now to include chess among one of the reasons why someone may get in over someone else (with maybe a better academic record) is astounding to say the least.



Provided By: Associated Content, Inc.

If you are looking to get satisfaction out of your degree and learning, this may be of interest to you. In 2006, I was finishing a B.S. degree in International Business. I love to travel and throughout college I visited countries like China, Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland and Great Britain.