Really unusual dilemma?

<p>My junior year is about to start. Obviously that is the most important HS year. I have everything prepared and I'm ready to ace this year. However, I have been offered an unusual job. It's unusual in the sense that I'll have to travel, take quite the amount of pictures, and do quite a bit of walking.. My family is extremely poor and this job guarantees quite a lot of pay. However, it is most definitely disruptive and my life will change, should I choose to accept it. I don't know about this job. With education, everything seems more....safe.. This opportunity I've been offered is a once in a lifetime chance. I just don't know if I like the idea of online schooling. I don't know what to do. Anyone ever been in a similar situation? I really need some guidance here.</p>

<p>You’re gonna have to give more info than that. You’re describing as a once in a lifetime opportunity where you get to travel and take pictures. To me, that sounds amazing. But that doesn’t mean it’s right for you. It could be a unique thing to put on an application and you may get an incredible outside-the-classroom educational experience in the process.</p>

<p>In the beginning of middle school, I was accepted into an elite gymnastics training program. This selective team practiced about 7 hours per day, from morning to afternoon, 5 or 6 days a week. I did online homeschooling for all 3 of my middle school years in order to participate. Though a combination of really unfortunate events resulted in the end of my gymnastics career, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I learned some of the best lessons about discipline, commitment, hard work, and more. I also came into high school just as well prepared as everyone else there.</p>

<p>It all comes down to what’s important to YOU. You also mention the money earned could help your family. I suggest sitting down and making a pros and cons list. Good luck!</p>

<p>@z0e101 thanks for the advice. I guess my info about the opportunity doesn’t exactly suffice. We’re not talking about some National Geographic photo campaign that’s groundbreaking or anything. This once in a lifetime opportunity is modeling. I have no idea how ad-coms view it. But I feel like it will be better than working in fast food.</p>

<p>@PolyglotGal‌ Be wary of any modeling deals that you are offered, and be sure to thoroughly research any company that makes you such an offer. I recently read a news story about how modeling agencies are taking girls from poor families in other countries (such as Japan or China), offering them money and a chance to travel the world, only to leave them stranded and without financial assistance once they got to another country. I know that this offer seems really lucrative, but you really need to read the fine print before you commit to anything this serious. </p>

<p>And let a lawyer read it, too. Call a law school to ask about free legal clinics, or try Community Legal Services. </p>

<p>What experience have you had as a model? How much will it cost for travel, headshots, etc? If the company is lending it to you, what will happen if you can’t pay it back?</p>

<p>Several years ago we had a poster who had been offered a modeling deal. Some of the things she told us made people advise her to say no. You might look for that thread, which involved a modeling contract and space in a shared apartment in New York City.</p>