Robert De Niro Tells Photography And Other Creative Graduates: ...

What someone needs to do is tell creative people "You're f*cked"" BEFORE they go to college and rack up huge student debts that'll dog them all their lives.

Thank God mine's paid off. So I'm a little less f*cked, I guess...but still f*cked. Art is a lousy profession. I made the Dean's List at my art college, but I still consider my time there a waste. Sure wish I could get that tuition back. I didn't want to go - I was getting lots of freelance work - but I felt I had to please my mother...

In my opinion, no artist should go full-time to art school, unless he/she wants to be an animator or something, and that school can actually teach you the craft, as opposed to dangling the possibility of an internship in front of you. It's better to choose a second profession that you won't hate working at, and take continuing education art classes on your days off. That way you have something to fall back on while you build up your skills and your gallery. Anyway, that's my take.

Sorry if I'm being a downer, but I've been struggling with Photoshop, which keeps crashing on me. Doesn't want to reinstall either. Yeesh.

JL - If you could do it again what degree would you pick instead? Or are you saying you should have just skipped college?

Robert and J L are 100% correct.

If you actually listen to what the speech is about - he is saying that

1. It takes passion to peruse a creative career.
2. People don't choose it because they expect a job, they do it because they have no other choice, its who they are.
3. You have to expect constant rejection and always be moving to the next challenge.
4. Learn to collaborate and don't judge your work by the final project that is out of your control. Bring your best to your part and be proud of it.

Sure you are screwed if you just go into the arts because you think its fun and you don't like math or something.

........

Note: On Time Magazine's site the speech is titled "Robert De Niro Just Gave the Best Graduation Speech at NYU"

http://time.com/3895070/robert-de-niro-graduation-speech-nyu/

I saw a post somewhere this morning that said that folks should work to pay for school rather than taking out loans. I completely agree. Yes, it will take longer, but it means the person can do what is more in their heart. That in turn will change schools, and educational delivery.

Edward, I think I should have skipped going to a big-name college. I think I should have attended a community college and maybe taken continuing education classes instead. Much cheaper and more effective, because that way you aren't sealed away on a college campus for 3-4 years where you build up huge debt and get told all kinds of nonsense and get little real-world experience or advice.

I tend to agree JL. I learn on demand. When I need to know something I educate myself on how to do it. Still there is something about collaborating with others and just learning how to live. There are probably more experiences I learned just on how to live that weren't taught in the classes. I went to a large school and kind of resent having the classes where we were taught by TAs. But then there a few really memorable classes. Bottomline is colleges are under more pressure these days to demonstrate that they can teach marketable skills.

J L I went to a local community college and got an associates in graphic design.

I didn't have any debt when I graduated. In fact, because of a 1/2 scholarship I won in my second semester and grants, I actually received a check for $1500.00.

Having a useless degree is much easier to take when you didn't go into debt to get it.

LOL, I can see that, John!

Edward, the college system is a real mess. I think I read that art colleges in particular are getting hammered for high tuition and for offering little in the way of placement services. My college was certainly that way.

If a job is the goal then one should look at where society has demand - nursing, welders, pharmacists, etc. Especially if you have the unfortunate timing of graduating during a recession.

Ever since the federal funds for colleges were cut, the schools have been ramping up the luxury factor (fancy dorms, gyms, student lounges) to attract people who can pay the full freight. I went to business school (where tuition went up 15% every year) and didn't think the college had much in terms of placement. You were on your own. They prepared you to become the CEO of a company but the reality is you'd be taking a entry level job somewhere.

All types of college tuition/assistance programs if one meets the age and physical requirements, but you have to serve in the military, 4 years if it's still the same as before. Here in Kentucky, and a few other states, the National Guard was providing 100% college tuition. Just info to pass on to any younger, soon-to-be college age folks you might know. ;)

Getting an education is always a good idea.

For me that is easy to say because back then the state paid 5 parts and my family and I paid one part.

Now that is reversed and people are complaining.

Good news taxes are lower. But only on the rich.

Dave

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/ivory-tower-explores-american-higher-education-pricey/

1120% raise in tuition since the 70s. 40% drop in state funding during the same period.

Of course no one can force people to choose a career that leads to a well paying career. Or create the drive needed to go out and compete for jobs.

Part of the problem I see at my university is students choosing majors where the career they want has a median income that will not cover the debt they are getting into. Many seem to not realize that student loans need to be repaid. The numbers just don't add up much of the time.

LOL, that is why things are disappearing around here.

seems we are getting a bit of spam. Funny.

Dave

Matt,

We are not investing in bridges or education etc.....but some folks are saving on taxes.

And we all have to buy their goods.....while they save on taxes.

Isn't life grand?

Dave