Job or School?

ProfessorU

ProfessorU

Veteran
I'm posting this to get some feedback and to do some thinking out loud.

I've been in college for the last four years pursuing an undergrad degree in Radio/TV/Film. I have two semesters to finish. Someday, I'd like to get an MFA in Cinematography. I'm 29 and live in Wisconsin.

I have a possible offer for a job in my field, as a videographer/editor for a small cable doc show that is definitely fun but not something I want to do my whole life. It involves lots of travel, which makes traditional classes impossible.

Now the pay isn't fantastic, but it's better than anything I've ever made, and would be enough to pay down student loans and get the wolves from the door. It's consistent with what I'd expect to make with a degree in this region.

This may not be a black-and-white question, as I may be able to get into classes part-time or online. But what would you do? And is there any risk of being "pidgeon-holed" into a certain type of work based on what I do out of college? I'd hate to find that working low-budget cable TV keeps me out of the big leagues.
 
It really isn't a question of either. You can do the gig for a while, then pick up the last year later. The entire point of your degree is to get jobs, right? So turning down a job would be kind of defeating the point. Take part time classes if you can, otherwise wait a little while. Jobs aren't permanent.

You'll graduate at some point anyway. So which one will look better: a graduate, or a graduate with work experience? And you might like it. Doesn't hurt anything unless for some reason I'm not aware of you have to do your full time classes right now or not at all.
 
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I asked a similar question to the dean of the FSU Film Program, i.e. "why should I spend money and two more years on school if I can learn on set?" His answer:

MFA programs cram a lot of learning into a little bit of time. More learning than most neophytes could learn as PA's or even grips. Further, MFA programs offer great networking, since your classmates should be of decent caliber and drive. An MFA might also help you achieve success faster. However, if a decent job prospect pops up, then there are plenty of ways to learn what you need to learn and get to where you want to be.

Obviously he has some bias on the issue, but I thought it was a fair and reasonable response. I think you should balance these four factors when choosing between your job offer and school:

1) How much will I learn?
2) What's the money situation?
3) Will I make good contacts?
4) Will I enjoy it?

Ultimately, I think that if you do your best no matter where you go, that you will succeed.
 
Plus, what if in a few years down the road you find that the passion for film begins to wane? It may not happen to you personally but it does happen.

The marketplace is filled with people who are unloading their gear because they realized it wasn't for them. This may not happen to you but to make an argument for getting an MFA degree, if you decide to switch gears down the road, you will be better off for having that on your resume' no matter which career path you walk down.
 
For myself its a no-brainer. When I start something I finish it come hell or high water and I go at it 100 percent. When you try to do major things in parallel you end up doing nothing fult tilt.

ie. You decided to go to school a few years back. So for myself I would pour myself into this and finish it.

In life there are always very sound and compelling reasons to change gears away from a current goal. That's why so many people end up later in life always talking about "someday". Things always come up to pull you away and they will always sound perfectly reasonsable. Be unreasonable. Make yourself finish your current race with everything you have.

You're either fully committed to something or you're not. Period.
 
The reason you'd be going to school is to land a job. Here is one offered. Take it. Build a reel. Climb the ladder.
 
grinner said:
The reason you'd be going to school is to land a job. Here is one offered. Take it. Build a reel. Climb the ladder.
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I tend to agree with that. Especially since, you are two semesters away from finishing your B.A. The only thing that might make this deicison less black and white and more personal for him is...
ProfessorU said:
Someday, I'd like to get an MFA in Cinematography.
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Getting your MFA is a lofty goal. A goal that is usually about more than just landing a job. It's can also be about achieving this lofty goal for the sake of achieving it and for the incredible sense of accomplishment it would bring. My concern for you would be that if you blow it off now, would you later have some regrets? You might wind up having a killer career and that might be enough for you. Only you can truly figure that out, grasshopper.

But, I've heard of many MANY people who are successful in their careers go back and finish their education. And they certainly didn't do it for their careers. But, that's not necessary for every one. It won't teach you everything. It won't even teach you a fraction of what the real world will teach you. It may not even help you climb a latter. But, it might. And, it might be a lofty goal you want to achieve.

That's a tough decision you have to make.
 
don't drop out of college, you'll regret it. at least finish your bachelors degree... the MFA can wait for a bit. Now if you plan to quit school, work this gig, then GO BACK to school and finish, then yes do that. But are you sure that if you quit now and work, your going to go back and finish? I know a lot of ppl who have done similar things and they all regret not sticking through and finishing school. Also, are you on student loans? you know those things will come due IMMEDIATELY when you drop out... just saying. Being college educated is important. With that said, it isn't going to guarantee you anything.... you have to make your own way.

what is your main goal here? where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 20 years?
 
You're very close to finishing your program, and it's impossible to know when in the future you'll be in a position to complete it, if you go on a hiatus now.

The work will always be there in one form or another if you are competitive, which you apparently are.

Finish the degree, then get out there and kick ass.

FWIW I was offered Art Director at a small company in Pennsylvania, one semester prior to finishing my undergraduate degree. I decided to pass on the job and finish the degree, which worked out very well, for me (now I'm an Art Director for majors in Los Angeles, which is a somewhat more competitive market...)
 
GET YOUR SCHOOLING in first. You have your WHOLE life to work, work, work be in debt and pay bills. But once you leave school it is difficult to go back.

Get thee the degree!
 
Tough call. Im in the same spot school wise with 1 semester left. Just my 2 cents, if I was offered a steady gig shooting right now with good pay, I would put off that last semester(I would definitely finish it though). You can't beat the field experience. I have been on many shoots outside of school but they are all here and there jobs. Each one I have learned so much and had a great time doing what I love. You may not be able to get an opportunity right out of school and then where does that leave you? Degree and no prospects(my worst fear, come December). Just my opinion. Definitely get that school done because you have come this far but give this opportunity very serious consideration and weigh out your options. Good luck.
 
Wow, thanks to everyone for weighing in. I have decided to decline the job offer and finish what I started. It would have been nice to not worry about the rent for a year or two, but this is my time to sacrifice and roll the dice. Hopefully this little bolt of lightning can strike twice.
 
Good for you. Remember, you have whole life to work, but school, that opportunity is now. Good luck.
 
I was recently in a similar position, but my job offer was on a TV show that shoots on an island 6,000 miles away. I decided to finish school, because realistically I don't think I would ever come back and that's something I know I would regret further down the road.
 
ProfessorU said:
Wow, thanks to everyone for weighing in. I have decided to decline the job offer and finish what I started. It would have been nice to not worry about the rent for a year or two, but this is my time to sacrifice and roll the dice. Hopefully this little bolt of lightning can strike twice.
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Smart man. Would you really want to throw all of that money invested into your education away? Sometimes passing on one job can lead to something much better. Don't worry about it. Everything will all work out in the end.
 
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