I just recieved an email from a 17-year old who stumbled upon this blog.
RB asked me for advice on finding jobs for artists.
Here’s what I said (and a bit more):
"First of all, congratulations on knowing at 17 what you want to be! My advice is to take it one
step at a time.. It took me till I was 38 to figure out what I wanted..
and even now my life path is evolving…your plan sounds reasonable.. I
went to university in Calgary for 1 year to be a Chemistry teacher and
then dropped out. and went to technical school… i worked for 18 years
before i went back and did a masters degree. BUT, i did lots of
training courses in between. learning goes on all our lives and isn’t
just in school"
"Here are some excellent books on ‘Artistic Careers’ that you should be able to find in your library:
- Carol Eikleberry, ‘The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People’
- Shelly Field, ‘100 Best Careers for Writers and Artists’, and
- Richard Nelson Bolles, "The 2007 What Color is Your Parachute’
"Bolles classic is a great field guide to creating any kind of career. If you’re trying to create an overall picture of your Career Dreams then be sure to complete his Career Flower exercise. It’s a terrific map to guide you."
Here’s the bit more…
Folks like CB who are attracted to "Artistic" careers need to learn to listen to their hearts. That’s not always easy. Especially at 17.
Here’s my unsolicited advice to you CB…
"The world", which includes parents and teachers and priests, because they care want to tell you "be serious", or "forget Art it’s not practical". Now I know that now a days Art has a higher regard then when I was a kid. BUT, choosing a path as a Artist is choosing "the road less travelled".
It will be rocky. It will be scary.
But, CB if you trust yourself…. it will turn out right.
And, don’t forget you don’t have to travel alone. Their are people who can help and guide you.
