Marketing, Animation, and Graphic Design... I need some guidance ):

College Majors Business Major
1

<p>Hello all,</p>

<p>This is my very first post on College Confidential. I hope this is the right place for this topic.</p>

<p>I'd really like some advice on my situation. I'm a 19-year old senior at the University of Washington going through some sort of mid-midlife crisis/soul searching. I've always wanted to be an animator or concept artist. It has always been my dream to work for Disney and help create a wonderful story that kids can enjoy. </p>

<p>Now, I guess you're thinking, "Wow, Oreo. What are you doing in the business major then? Shouldn't you be in art school?" After getting shot down by my family when I said I wanted to go into animation, they pressured me into choosing a major that will lead to a high paying job, job security, and prestige. Accounting, they said. So I worked hard in community college, getting my associate's degree and then transferred to UW... and hated hated HATED accounting. I wanted to get out of it, but by the time I realized it was the wrong career choice for me, it was already Junior year! I had to find a new major fast that is within the business school.</p>

<p>Then I found Marketing/Advertising. The classes so far have been fascinating, and I just loved hearing about the creative/design aspect of Advertising. :) It feels like something I could really get into!</p>

<p>Here's the problem: The Marketing degree in the business school is focused on the account planning side of things rather than design. It's way too late to double major, so I was thinking of going back to school - Art Institute or something - for a second BA in Graphic Design. Maybe even a BA in Animation. I hope that a degree in both of these will not only help complement my Marketing degree, but will also give me a fighting chance to start pursuing my childhood dream of becoming an animator and making things people will talk about and enjoy. Another problem, though, is that I've never received formal art education... I've been focusing on business business business. So If I were to pursue art, I'd be at the very very beginning of the entire process... </p>

<p>I guess my questions are these:
1. Is this even a feasible idea? Am I too old to pursue my dreams?
2. Was a marketing degree a waste of time? Would a Graphic Design degree boost my chances of finding a job as a creative in an ad agency?
3. Should I pursue 2nd and 3rd BAs at the same time, or maybe just take Graphic Design and then pursue animation once I'm settled in at a good job?</p>

<p>Really, any input would help. Even just pep talks, or advice on who to speak to. I could really use some guidance, I don't even know who to start talking to about all this ):</p>

<p>Thank you so much.</p>

2

<p>If you want to pursue animation as a career, you’ll likely have to go back to school and acquire a degree in that or graphic design. Fortunately, you are still young and have the resources to pursue your dreams, even if it costs you a few extra years of education. Personally I don’t think your marketing degree was a waste of time. You said yourself you found the classes fascinating and business knowledge is flexible in that in can be applied to almost any area of study. You also learned through this process just how passionate you truly were about animation. However, I don’t think this is the right issue to be grappling with at this point. You have dreams to follow and a limited timeframe to accomplish them in realistically. You are going to regret it if you do not at least try and pursue animation. Find programs that fit your needs best and start applying as soon as you can!</p>