A lot of us get fed up with routine and the repetitiveness in our lives. Some try to shrug it off and force themselves to adapt to a less than enjoyable career, picking up depression along the way. Others respond to their true calling, refusing to self-impose a life sentence of job dissatisfaction. They begin a new focus in life: to build a career based on what they enjoy doing. Apart from getting some formal education (which often isn't even relevant for some creative careers), what should you do?
To start off, you need to narrow down your passion. It is always more advantageous to specialise in one skill, then to try and pass yourself off as a jack of all trades. Within the extremely encompassing range of fields, including dancing, acting, singing, writing and filming, it is crucial that you can demonstrate what you are especially good at. It is easier for the employer to hire several specialists, instead of somebody who demonstrates a mediocre capacity for a range of related job skills.
It is also likely your passion is not up to employable standards, and this is what draws the line between a pastime and a profession. Extra tertiary education may be an option, but take great care on the teaching contents that they provide. Universities are infamous for their promotion of programmes that claim to help prospective students obtain a creative career. In reality they are usually too reliant on academic details, and only by signing on as post grads do they acquire substantial practical knowledge - and this basically lengthens your time in schooling and more financial burden. A better way will be to look into a respectable polytechnic school where the focus will be on technical experience, because these are the skills is what is going to get you into the industries.
You will also need to work constantly on your portfolio. This is a collection of every significant piece of creative work you have done, with the intent to impress an employer. In the creative industries, your portfolio will supersede whatever degree you have, so always try and update it constantly. These can include submissions to a challenge you never got an award out of, they make great additions to you portfolio.
Networking will be your other critical asset. Far too many opportunities in the creative industries do not appear on the situation vacant section, the reason being they are frequently taken up by the acquaintances and associates within the job. Applying as an unpaid intern is an excellent opportunity to build a relationship with those already working in the field. Outside of that, participating in clubs and festivals related to your interest is another way of establishing a network.
Know this, the creative industries is a job sector defined by stiff, passionate competition, and stories of periodical joblessness is not uncommon. Make sure you still hold another consistent employment before you start making that transition towards a more innovative career. Going hungry will not help you make greater art to impress.
To start off, you need to narrow down your passion. It is always more advantageous to specialise in one skill, then to try and pass yourself off as a jack of all trades. Within the extremely encompassing range of fields, including dancing, acting, singing, writing and filming, it is crucial that you can demonstrate what you are especially good at. It is easier for the employer to hire several specialists, instead of somebody who demonstrates a mediocre capacity for a range of related job skills.
It is also likely your passion is not up to employable standards, and this is what draws the line between a pastime and a profession. Extra tertiary education may be an option, but take great care on the teaching contents that they provide. Universities are infamous for their promotion of programmes that claim to help prospective students obtain a creative career. In reality they are usually too reliant on academic details, and only by signing on as post grads do they acquire substantial practical knowledge - and this basically lengthens your time in schooling and more financial burden. A better way will be to look into a respectable polytechnic school where the focus will be on technical experience, because these are the skills is what is going to get you into the industries.
You will also need to work constantly on your portfolio. This is a collection of every significant piece of creative work you have done, with the intent to impress an employer. In the creative industries, your portfolio will supersede whatever degree you have, so always try and update it constantly. These can include submissions to a challenge you never got an award out of, they make great additions to you portfolio.
Networking will be your other critical asset. Far too many opportunities in the creative industries do not appear on the situation vacant section, the reason being they are frequently taken up by the acquaintances and associates within the job. Applying as an unpaid intern is an excellent opportunity to build a relationship with those already working in the field. Outside of that, participating in clubs and festivals related to your interest is another way of establishing a network.
Know this, the creative industries is a job sector defined by stiff, passionate competition, and stories of periodical joblessness is not uncommon. Make sure you still hold another consistent employment before you start making that transition towards a more innovative career. Going hungry will not help you make greater art to impress.
About the Author:
Photography is one of the creative arts that is easy for an amateur to gain experience in. A good camera can be bought cheaply these days, though remember to check out camera reviews first.. Free reprint available from: How to Get into the Creative Industries.
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