Is It Possible?

[indieanna86]

Hi guys,

I left school at 16, didn't go to college as I needed money more at the time and had also had enough of the academic side of things I guess. So I've been working ever since and I'm now 20. My main problem is that I just can't stand work, I know nobody likes it but it gets me down so much. I work for a large company at Canary Wharf and its very stressful.
Now I'm starting to think that I want to take up college part time, studying Art and Design as its my goal to become an illustrator one day. It would mean giving up alot of money, I have a loan that I'm paying off, a car to run and I help my parents pay the rent on our house.
So I guess what I'm really asking is if there's a way for me to do this without getting into major money trouble, or have I left it too late and its just tough luck? I can't sit behind a desk for the rest of my life :(

If you can help me I would love you forever!!

Anna x

[bednobs]

most students either get a part time job whilst studying full time or get a full time job and study part time so depending on courses both of thosr options would be open to you i suppose!

[antiguru]

I�m guessing that you have some talent? Why not start by changing your job to a more design orientated environment? In other words, use the skills you�re being paid well for in a more visual environment. Build a portfolio of your work. Sketches, paintings, etc, something that really shows off your work. Now you have more choices. Find out if you really need qualifications to become an illustrator or just a lucky break. Make contact with someone who already does this and ask their advice. Use your new employer to find out more. Ask to be sponsored through a course.

Most of all, make this happen. Life�s too short for what ifs.

Good luck.

[Ethel]

Is there any part time courses, so you could carry on working and earning?

[crystalball]

It sounds to me like you should keep your job for now (even thought you dont like it, its money coming in) and look for a local part time course or a distance learning course - just do a websearch. Distance learning is a great way to learn if you are working, but you need to be disciplined.
If you have to leave work, you could apply for a student loan - try Barclays, Lloyds,or RBS.
Alternatively, why dont you get going by sending some illustrations to greeting card companies. I know that some of them actively encourage people to submit illustrations and they pay them royalties. This would help you get going and start your portfolio. Try for exampe, Phoenix Trading card company- they encourage submissions.

[indieanna86]

Thanks for your advice. Obviously I've thought about getting a part time job but with a loan, rent and a car to pay for, part time just wouldn't cover it.
I'm not sure if getting another loan is such a great idea, but I'll need to look into it.
I'll keep thinking!

[angeldraws]

Maybe you would be better off moving out of London area and studying somewhere else - most areas are much cheaper for the cost of living.
Also, even when someone has stayed on at 6ty form or college and studied for A-levels and then gone to Uni they are still in their 20s so you wouldnt be alone, as in, most would be around your age group. Personally, i believe it is a complete waste of time and life doing something you hate just for the money!! Go out there and do it - and even if you have to struggle financially for a few years for the benefit of doing s/thing you really want and love, you will be so much happier and will benefit through and through later on - life is too short.....good luck.

[angeldraws]

PS - i absolutely LOVE my job - so dont believe evryone hates work - you just gotta find s/thing you love doing.....

[cyberfraggle]

I worked full time and did a degree in multimedia design so it is possible. I only changed to part time half way through the course as I was offered a full time job, but due to the nature of the work you can do a lot of it at home. My uni were happy as long as I put in an apperence every 2 weeks and kept in close contact via e-mail. we set up a website to show any work in case we needed any help, we could also submit it this way if we wanted to. Doing a full degree part time would be about 5 years it was very hard doing both but as long as your determined then it's worth it, plus my job wasn't related at all, this would have helped. I did all this whilst paying a mortgage, a car and all the bills, you'd probably be entitled to a student loan being 20 and still living at home.

Hope this has been some help.