About College

[AniJan]

I'm only 12, so I have a long time to decide. But I just feel like I need to choose what I want to do in the future.

My goal is to become an animator and work at Pixar. Therefore my major would need to be art. I had a talk with my dad, and I thought about what would happen if my application for Pixar fails. 

So I thought about my other major of computer science. Because there are a lot of companies that need computer science. Then I thought about the colleges I would need to go to. Particularly, good colleges, such as CalArts, etc. I'm having a hard time choosing which major to pick. I'm fully aware that you can do two majors, but then I would need to be in a good college that is good at art AND computer science (can you recommend colleges?). In addition, doing two majors is a ton a work, so.

 

Game designer is another job that I'm interested in, so.

Can anyone tell me stuff about what my path would lead to, what would happen, what I need to think about, what's good for me, etc?

 

(Sorry if this is a bit confusing and asking things that cannot be complied)

 

[Energycore]

Na man, cross that bridge when you get to it.

 

If you're interested in 3D animation, get into it right now, don't wait. Then you can find out whether you actually like it and the challenges it carries with it.

[AniJan]

1 minute ago, Energycore said:

If you're interested in 3D animation

In general, I'm interested in art and making animation. Hence, why I want to work in Pixar.

(Also, I updated the thread)

[Guest Kloaked]

Just now, Energycore said:

Na man, cross that bridge when you get to it.

 

If you're interested in 3D animation, get into it right now, don't wait. Then you can find out whether you actually like it and the challenges it carries with it.

This. I wish I had gotten into graphic design sooner than I did so that I could have made a career out of it, but it was a little late for me and had to find something more immediate and practical for me to get a job since I was getting too old

[Energycore]

1 minute ago, Kloaked said:

This. I wish I had gotten into graphic design sooner than I did so that I could have made a career out of it, but it was a little late for me and had to find something more immediate and practical for me to get a job since I was getting too old

 

2 minutes ago, AniJan said:

In general, I'm interested in art and making animation. Hence, why I want to work in Pixar.

(Also, I updated the thread)

Don't sweat it. Life's too short to be stuck looking at the future. Like art? Get into it now before it's too late

[Guest Kloaked]

Just now, Energycore said:

 

Don't sweat it. Life's too short to be stuck looking at the future. Like art? Get into it now before it's too late

I do it as a hobby now. I've gotten more interested in programming and music over time since I can make money off it

[Energycore]

1 minute ago, Kloaked said:

I do it as a hobby now. I've gotten more interested in programming and music over time since I can make money off it

Yeah, no reason not to do something you like even if your life doesn't revolve around it

[straight_stewie]

26 minutes ago, AniJan said:

I'm only 12, so I have a long time to decide. But I just feel like I need to choose what I want to do in the future.

My goal is to become an animator and work at Pixar. Therefore my major would need to be art. I had a talk with my dad, and I thought about what would happen if my application for Pixar fails. 

So I thought about my other major of computer science. Because there are a lot of companies that need computer science. Then I thought about the colleges I would need to go to. Particularly, good colleges, such as CalArts, etc. I'm having a hard time choosing which major to pick. I'm fully aware that you can do two majors, but then I would need to be in a good college that is good at art AND computer science (can you recommend colleges?). In addition, doing two majors is a ton a work, so.

 

Game designer is another job that I'm interested in, so.

Can anyone tell me stuff about what my path would lead to, what would happen, what I need to think about, what's good for me, etc?

Well, at 12 you're a little young to decide. Your skills and interests are going to change drastically over the next few years. What you might want to do is decide on a broad area, like human skills, STEM, art... Whatever, but broad categories like that. That will help you start to get some general application specific knowledge and skills. 

As far as Pixar goes, they need all sorts of administration and maintenance individuals to run their supercomputers, software developers to develop proprietary software for their supercomputers, animators, artists, conceptual artists, voice artists, story artists, engineers, administrative/business, and janitors. There are many different types of job at Pixar, but Pixar has extremely high standards and just to warn you, you likely won't land a job there as a new college graduate. Pixar is more of an "in your prime" type of place where you have a few years of experience, but you're still young enough to have the energy to work extremely long hours and deal with high stress. 

In any case, it will never hurt you to learn to program. If you want to do something now to start preparing for the future, you could try looking at learning a programming language like Python. I started when I was nine, but just now started getting formal instruction in such things at the age of 22.

[MadyTehWolfie]

Regardless of what you decided to do in the future. Going to school or learning a trade is the way to go, otherwise you end up like my friend having to work 50hours a week working two jobs that are dead end and he still can't even afford to move out of his parents basement.

[Ithanul]

Word of advice, don't just start right off at a high end college and university.

 

Get your basics done at a community college since most degrees require the cores like English, Math, Humanities, etc.  Even an art degree requires it (I original was going for a bachelors in Graphic Design).  That way you don't waste a whole lot of money on those.

 

Also, have the main thing you are interested in, but have a backup skill to learn as well in case the first don't pan out.

 

Like straight_stewie said, your interests will change by the time you get out of High School.

 

At the end, if you really want to do art, keep that focus toward that goal, and know that you will have some obstacles to get pass and a whole lot of work.  Another tip, get super, super use to writing, you will do a bunch of it in college, and on art classes the work load can be tough depending on your work ethic.  My first term in an basic intro art class required us to have 6-7 full fledged art pieces to be graded by mid term.  These where not small traditional drawings either.  And yes, they make you draw squares, circles, etc. first.

[DutchTexan]

If you're 12 and genuinely thinking about college, then engineering is the way to go. Any engineering major. What you have a passion for now warrants exploring that interest. However, if you really want college advice, learn to love math.  

[AniJan]

1 hour ago, Ithanul said:

Word of advice, don't just start right off at a high end college and university.

 

Get your basics done at a community college since most degrees require the cores like English, Math, Humanities, etc.  Even an art degree requires it (I original was going for a bachelors in Graphic Design).  That way you don't waste a whole lot of money on those.

 

Also, have the main thing you are interested in, but have a backup skill to learn as well in case the first don't pan out.

 

Like straight_stewie said, your interests will change by the time you get out of High School.

 

At the end, if you really want to do art, keep that focus toward that goal, and know that you will have some obstacles to get pass and a whole lot of work.  Another tip, get super, super use to writing, you will do a bunch of it in college, and on art classes the work load can be tough depending on your work ethic.  My first term in an basic intro art class required us to have 6-7 full fledged art pieces to be graded by mid term.  These where not small traditional drawings either.  And yes, they make you draw squares, circles, etc. first.

So, you want me to go to a community college first, then go to a good college, just to learn the basics?

To be honest, that seems a bit waste of time if you just want to learn the basics.

 

 

Or do you want me to go to a community while I'm in high school? Because that seems like the best choice.

 

48 minutes ago, DutchTexan said:

If you're 12 and genuinely thinking about college, then engineering is the way to go. Any engineering major. What you have a passion for now warrants exploring that interest. However, if you really want college advice, learn to love math.  

I know. If I want to do well in computer science, then I have to be very good in math.

In fact, I enjoy math.

1 hour ago, wrathoftheturkey said:

don't do this. I repeat, DON'T DO THIS.

 

Goals are good. Goals are great, when you can do something about them.

 

Don't decide on what you want to do now. You haven't yet been exposed to all the wonders of all your options. Keep goals (the Pixar one is a good aim) but don't get too specific too early, or you start to shut yourself off to other options, you might become closed off from, say, cooking (or something?) when you could have become the next Gordon Ramsay.

Well, I can't really do much when I'm 12, except for art.

I'm learning to digitally draw and animate. However, it's self-taught, so progress is slow.

[DutchTexan]

19 hours ago, AniJan said:

So, you want me to go to a community college first, then go to a good college, just to learn the basics?

To be honest, that seems a bit waste of time if you just want to learn the basics.

 

 

Or do you want me to go to a community while I'm in high school? Because that seems like the best choice.

 

I know. If I want to do well in computer science, then I have to be very good in math.

In fact, I enjoy math.

Well, I can't really do much when I'm 12, except for art.

I'm learning to digitally draw and animate. However, it's self-taught, so progress is slow.

No, what he is saying is absolutely the best thing to do. The first 2 years in just about any degree is the exact same stuff, college algebra, US and State history, chemistry, english, physics, ect. Why pay 20k-45k a semester 3 or 4 times for what you can learn at a community college that costs like $1,200 a for a full 13-14 credit hour semester? The entry, college level courses are pretty much the exact same, no matter how much they cost or where they come from. 

 

The whole 'it's one of the best schools' and its 'prestigious' is absolutely bullshit and largely useless. It's just a way of saying, "I'm more in debt than most people, so I'm better than you." Maybe if you are going to law or medical school, then the actual university brand matters, but honestly, it's just ego and pride. Performance(GPA) and your experience(internships) are what matter through college. Those are the factors that will get you hired.

 

Absolutely. Go to a community college while in High School. Also, take as many dual credit classes in High School that you can. That's a very realistic way to earn a Bachelors degree in 3 years. 

 

I mean you're 12, but I might as well say it. If you go to graduate school, do so after working for a few years. Over educated and no experience is a big issue. A MBA means nothing without a few years of work experience, for example. Also, if you work for a bit between undergraduate and graduate school, your employer may pay for your Master's Degree.

 

That's great! Always do your math homework all the way. It's not difficult if you ALWAYS do your homework. It will start taking time in Junior High, then it get's a little difficult in High School and very difficult in University. It's really cheesy, I know, but do your math homework. The foundation is the most important thing if you are going to succeed with a major like electrical engineering. Computer Science is great, but I would argue that Electrical Engineering is even better, regarding computers.

 

The fact that you are here and you are communicating to the degree that you are is absolutely outstanding. Even if you knew exactly what you wanted to do, it could very realistically change in 5 years. When I was 12 I just thought about gum and how I could run faster than my friends... enjoy being young, kid! 

 

 

[Ithanul]

^Yes, the basics pretty much transfer.  Saves a whole lot of money.  Still, best to double check with the community college and the other college to ensure the classes you are taking will transfer.

 

I only had to pay like a few hundred per class at community college for some of my basics.  Right now I am at a University and not even a high end one.  The cost for one class breaks over a grand.  My CS classes where even higher and that not counting the book cost.

 

To give you an idea, my Math class in community college was around 300 bucks or so, this was out in California when I was stationed there, and the book was 40 bucks brand new.  One of my classes here at Troy Uni was over 1,200 bucks and the blasted book would of cost 300+ bucks (thank goodness for finding a used book).

 

Highly agree above, job experience holds major weight and building up contacts with people in that career field.

[Urishima]

You are 12 years old. However remote that possibility might seem right now, by the time you enter the job market Pixar could be gone. Don't focus on a single company like that, no matter how amazing they seem to be.

[Mug]

13 hours ago, AniJan said:

My goal is to become an animator and work at Pixar

Not gonna happen. Probably would be a shit job anyway.

 

 

Advice from an adult: have fun but when shit gets real at exam time, study hard. At 12 you shouldn't really be worrying about university but about the changing nature of dick and dom's hair.

[AniJan]

9 hours ago, Mug said:

Not gonna happen. Probably would be a shit job anyway.

Well, dreaming big isn't a bad thing to do. It creates motivation and a goal, an essential thing in life.

9 hours ago, Mug said:

At 12 you shouldn't really be worrying about university but about the changing nature of dick and dom's hair.

Meh. Caring for minor things like that is extremely wasteful, in my opinion. However, others beg to differ. *cough* Narcissistic brats *cough.

[Nuluvius]

On 09/01/2017 at 9:54 PM, AniJan said:

My goal is to become an animator and work at Pixar.

54 minutes ago, AniJan said:

Well, dreaming big isn't a bad thing to do. It creates motivation and a goal, an essential thing in life.

There's nothing wrong with dreaming. I used to dream about working at XYZ but then later when I got there I found out that:

10 hours ago, Mug said:

Probably would be a shit job anyway.

Is very very true about a lot of big XYZs. Also, the grass is most certainly not greener on the other side. These days I much prefer the smaller companies because they are where the magic really happens.

On 09/01/2017 at 9:54 PM, AniJan said:

what would happen if my application for Pixar fails

It's almost certain to do so unless you accomplish something truly magnificent on your degree and even then it will still probably fail. People like you are readily available to companies like them, there's thousands and thousands of you to only a select few roles.

On 09/01/2017 at 9:54 PM, AniJan said:

Game designer is another job that I'm interested in, so.

It's a highly competitive and highly saturated industry... With relatively low pay and high levels of stress and disappointment.

18 hours ago, AniJan said:

I know. If I want to do well in computer science, then I have to be very good in math.

In fact, I enjoy math.

It depends. Does it have to specifically be Computer Science? What about Software Engineering?

On 09/01/2017 at 9:59 PM, AniJan said:

In general, I'm interested in art and making animation

Then do that and the opportunities will very likely present themselves along the way. Honestly life is far too short to be pissed away doing something that you are not completely happy with.

[AniJan]

On 1/9/2017 at 10:30 PM, DutchTexan said:

No, what he is saying is absolutely the best thing to do. The first 2 years in just about any degree is the exact same stuff, college algebra, US and State history, chemistry, english, physics, ect. Why pay 20k-45k a semester 3 or 4 times for what you can learn at a community college that costs like $1,200 a for a full 13-14 credit hour semester? The entry, college level courses are pretty much the exact same, no matter how much they cost or where they come from. 

 

The whole 'it's one of the best schools' and its 'prestigious' is absolutely bullshit and largely useless. It's just a way of saying, "I'm more in debt than most people, so I'm better than you." Maybe if you are going to law or medical school, then the actual university brand matters, but honestly, it's just ego and pride. Performance(GPA) and your experience(internships) are what matter through college. Those are the factors that will get you hired.

 

Absolutely. Go to a community college while in High School. Also, take as many dual credit classes in High School that you can. That's a very realistic way to earn a Bachelors degree in 3 years. 

 

I mean you're 12, but I might as well say it. If you go to graduate school, do so after working for a few years. Over educated and no experience is a big issue. A MBA means nothing without a few years of work experience, for example. Also, if you work for a bit between undergraduate and graduate school, your employer may pay for your Master's Degree.

 

That's great! Always do your math homework all the way. It's not difficult if you ALWAYS do your homework. It will start taking time in Junior High, then it get's a little difficult in High School and very difficult in University. It's really cheesy, I know, but do your math homework. The foundation is the most important thing if you are going to succeed with a major like electrical engineering. Computer Science is great, but I would argue that Electrical Engineering is even better, regarding computers.

 

The fact that you are here and you are communicating to the degree that you are is absolutely outstanding. Even if you knew exactly what you wanted to do, it could very realistically change in 5 years. When I was 12 I just thought about gum and how I could run faster than my friends... enjoy being young, kid! 

 

 

Well, my goal is work at Pixar, which has very high standards. High goals call for a good college. 

Therefore, tuition is not the primary factor to decide. Getting into a good college from a community college is too much of a risk. 

 

[DutchTexan]

38 minutes ago, AniJan said:

Well, my goal is work at Pixar, which has very high standards. High goals call for a good college. 

Therefore, tuition is not the primary factor to decide. Getting into a good college from a community college is too much of a risk. 

 

That's a good argument.

 

If Pixar were to hire someone right out of college, then they would hire someone with a 3.8-4.0 GPA(among other things) from a university with a very good program that heavily applies to what they are interested in. However, no matter how you cut it, the chances of that are ultra unlikely, not impossible, but not realistic enough to actively pursue IMO. Additionally, landing this 'dream job' right out college will not come true even if you accomplish exactly what you dreamed, worked and planned for. It will be long, hard work with next to no satisfaction. That's why they hired a young brain with no experience. To actually have true creative freedom within a very large company/organization is very, very difficult without at least a decade of comparable experience. 

 

This doesn't mean holding the goal of working for Pixar is not worthwhile or attainable. I'm saying pursue your interests, always, but aim towards small organizations, private practices and start ups as the beginning of your career. Maybe even start your own business/practice/studio. That is how you get tremendous satisfaction from your work and hold large creative responsibilities while earning valuable, marketable experience.

[AniJan]

1 minute ago, DutchTexan said:

That's a good argument.

 

If Pixar were to hire someone right out of college, then they would hire someone with a 3.8-4.0 GPA(among other things) from a university with a very good program that heavily applies to what they are interested in. However, no matter how you cut it, the chances of that are ultra unlikely, not impossible, but not realistic enough to actively pursue IMO. Additionally, landing this 'dream job' right out college will not come true even if you accomplish exactly what you dreamed, worked and planned for. It will be long, hard work with next to no satisfaction. That's why they hired a young brain with no experience. To actually have true creative freedom within a very large company/organization is very, very difficult without at least a decade of comparable experience. 

 

This doesn't mean holding the goal of working for Pixar is not worthwhile or attainable. I'm saying pursue your interests, always, but aim towards small organizations, private practices and start ups as the beginning of your career. Maybe even start your own business/practice/studio. That is how you get tremendous satisfaction from your work and hold large creative responsibilities while earning valuable, marketable experience.

Hold on. I never said that I would apply right away.

Of course applying right away is foolish. I'll need some work experience.