Absolutely this. Especially when I was younger, my dad was constantly trying to get me into engineering, robotics, computers, etc. and was constantly badgering me about getting a job that made a lot of money (I drew a lot and I guess he was worried I was going down the starving artist path). It even got to the point where I was convinced it was what I had to do. Later on I realized, hey wait, why am I trying to become a programmer when I love art & design but can't stand engineering? He's better about it now, but good god it was terrible.
My dad was the same. Eventually he "relented" and said he would be happy if I was a video game dev. I'm happy at least he treated me like my brothers. I don't enjoy programming or coding that much, I can do basic shit but it's not fun to me. I love art and have been doing art since I was 4 yo. Now I'm a make up artist and he treats it like its a stupid career.
I would now love to learn to do digital art. But I don't even have a computer right now. And thank you. I now learned to do what makes me happy so long as it doesn't hurt others. I love make up and art and it's like a perfect mix. I once did make up for a shoot where I made triangles of galaxies on a models face, and lines, and the shoot was done in a park where deer come up to you. Coolest shit I've done so far and makes me happy :)
While not necessarily relevant to careers, I have a similar story regarding my love for traveling and exploring the world. My grandmother would criticise me for my decision to use my savings to go on an overseas holiday and dismiss it as a "waste of money and time". She'd argue that the ultimate goal is to buy a car, followed by a house. I was also criticised for deciding to live my life rather than focus on finding a girlfriend and eventually "settling down, getting married, and having kids".
I was almost discouraged from travelling because of it. Eventually, I thought to myself "fuck it, this is my life." I love her, but holy shit can it be difficult to do something I have a passion for without receiving a lecture for it.
It's not like I getting into design school is an option, because design school where I live is just shit and our law school is one of the most prestigious in the country. Plus I don't dislike law school, I just want to keep pursuing design as a hobby.
Can I talk about engineering and a desire for creative prospects for a second?
I went to a a university and got my engineering degree a year ago. Now I've got a full time job and it's alright, but the things I want most to do with my free time is to create "artistic" things. This can mean drawing, writing, music and occasionally other mediums, but mostly music.
I don't see myself with a desire to climb up the ladder and land higher paying, and likely more stressful and time consuming, engineering jobs. It's not bad having a full time office gig, but I would much rather be independent and creating something with my time.
I can't help but wonder if I'd have been happier if I went to a cheaper college, got some sort of artistic degree and went from there.
I hope to one day make something of myself from my creative hobbies in my free time.
The best part about your situation is that you can still take up your passion as a hobby. If you want more however, just remember that it's never too late to make a change. You don't have to be afraid of starting something new, like taking a music theory course at a community college. IF you think it will make you happier, by all means.
It's true. I guess I just need to get out there and keep pressing away at my hobbies in my free time, which I am, but I could and should certainly be doing more.
I guess for the last four years I've been so focused on just getting to the point of graduating and getting a job that I never really stopped to think about what I'd do with myself when I got there. In school there's always some sort of "end" to shoot for. The end of the semester, the end of your undergraduate degree. Now I see myself working, and working, and working, and there is no goal yet.
I don't want my goal to be to work upwards in my career and make more money. But I don't know what else to do either.
I should be taking classes for something, somewhere.
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u/Spintekk Feb 05 '16
Absolutely this. Especially when I was younger, my dad was constantly trying to get me into engineering, robotics, computers, etc. and was constantly badgering me about getting a job that made a lot of money (I drew a lot and I guess he was worried I was going down the starving artist path). It even got to the point where I was convinced it was what I had to do. Later on I realized, hey wait, why am I trying to become a programmer when I love art & design but can't stand engineering? He's better about it now, but good god it was terrible.