<p>I have a friend who has a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Animation. He's kind of lost right now because there are not too many jobs in Miami, Florida for computer animators. He's very good at what he does. He asked me for an advice and I told him that he should get a Master's Degree in a related field. At first, he was going to start all over and get an Associate of Science degree in a nearby College. He was going to change careers. I told him that's not a good idea because I know he doesn't want to do that. He has gone too far with his education. I told him if he wanted to join me and go to my current school (Florida International University) so he can ask the people from graduate admissions office. He agreed.</p>
<p>My question:</p>
<p>Do you think he should pursue a Master's Degree with a BA in Compuer Animation at a University that is very different in undergraduate curriculum from his previous institute?</p>
<p>Stop trying to control your friend's life, and allow him to make his own decisions... there are a lot of people who go back and get inferior degrees to enhance/change their careers, and there's nothing wrong with it.</p>
<p>Example, there is a lady from Hong Kong with an MBA in my AIS class, because she wants to do a second bachelors in Accounting and sit for the CPA exam.</p>
<p>I am not trying to control my friend's life. He asked me for an advice and I gave it to him. He wants to change careers which is fine. However, he is good at what he does....Take a look at his portfolio and his videos at <a href="http://www.setdrivenkey.com%5B/url%5D">www.setdrivenkey.com</a> </p>
<p>If anyone wants to critcize, please know the story first and take a look at his portfolio....</p>
<p>I trust that you have good intentions, but it's still troubling that your friend seems to be basing his decisions on your advice. It sounds as though he doesn't know what to do, so he is grateful for any guidance that seems to lead to a better path. But that doesn't mean that it's the best path for him. When he asks you for advice, you might prompt him to explore his own goals and values -- make suggestions, sure, but don't reject his ideas. Help him to work toward his own goals.</p>
<p>When I went off to graduate school, one of my friends started thinking that grad school was right for him, based on my experience. I seemed to be happy and successful, and I was working toward something prestigious (a Ph.D.) so he seriously considered grad school for himself, even though he had been unenthusiastic about academics all through undergrad. In reality, he was just lost and scared of the future, so he latched on to my path because it seemed easier than taking a risk on his true passion.</p>
<p>Why does your friend want a masters? From your post, it sounds like he merely "agreed" to your suggestions after you convinced him that your ideas were best for him.</p>
<p>He wants to get a Master's degree because he feels his degree is going to take him nowhere. He wanted to change careers way before he asked me for an advice. </p>
<p>Today, he tagged along with me so he can ask questions about the master's program at FIU. He wants to do physical therapy and I think it's great. He has to study for the GRE.</p>
<p>So, in a previous life, I was a 3D animation student and I had an internship with a very well respected production house. I don't have much to say about whether he should go to school or not, but I can comment on the quality of his work.</p>
<p>Your friend's reel is not very good. It's not very bad, but most all of it is very rough and not polished enough. The character animation is extremely weak and should be taken out, the after effects are about 80% there, but need more work.</p>
<p>If he wants to pursue 3D animation, I would say he should get an internship or get an MFA and really hone his craft. I don't think anybody has held him to a high standard yet. Also, as far as I know, almost all of the jobs are in California, mostly SoCal, some in SF, and there's a few places in Chicago and New York. There might be scattered work here and there that someone could find, or create a niche, but you'd have to be really creative and entrepreneurial.</p>
<p>it's not elitism or snobbery, it's honest critiquing. If he's going to compete with other animators for a job, he has to step it up a notch. Simple fact.</p>