RAW: Releasing the Artist Within

Last week I turned in my graduation application and handed over $43 of my hard earned dollars to cover the “graduation application fee”. After taking out multiple student loans and going into substantial debt to pay $1,800 per semester in tuition, in addition to the cost of books, software, art supplies and photography equipment; I have to smile at the idea of paying another fee just to drop off a single form to the admissions and records office. Finding the money to go to college has been challenging. And each semester I’m finding it extremely difficult to juggle the need for better photography equipment with the framing and mounting, inks, papers, films, field trips and all the other supply costs I am faced with each semester.

With the cost of education and housing as high as it is; I have to ask myself… do I really want to go to grad school? Can I even afford it? I know many people take a year off or get some experience in the industry before applying for advanced degrees. I could start working right away and start paying off my credit card debt. But I’m reluctant to wait. I don’t want to put my career on hold or interrupt a good financial situation sometime in my thirties. If I’m going to get my MJ/MFA, I’d rather get it over with now.

I’ve thought a lot about life after graduation and for the first time in my life; I’m okay with not knowing exactly what the future holds for me. At the end of the year I will apply to a few of the MJ/MFA programs that I like the most. If I happen to be selected I will have to evaluate my ability to pay for two more years of school and at the same time, I will have to revisit all the reasons why I want to pursue an advanced degree. If I am not accepted into any programs; I’ll interview for every newspaper and magazine in the country until someone takes pity and hires me as a photojournalist. Whatever ends up happening; I know it will be fun but extremely challenging.

I’m too eager to live my life doing the things I love; to worry about paying off a credit card. Life is too short to work for money and nothing else!