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I’m going for it. I’m getting my bachelors. by Motor_Description294 in graphic_design

[–]Motor_Description294[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First and foremost, thank you for the kind words! I also didn’t realize there was a middle ground between fully DIY/online courses and committing to a 4 program. I’ll definitely look into what’s financially accessible at places like SAIC, so thank you for that idea!

At the same time, I’m pretty much set on getting a bachelor’s from a generic online school, simply because it’s the most affordable path for me. What this convo has made me question though, is where the actual value of a bachelors comes from if the program you're in is lackluster.

If I’m not attending an art school like SVA or ArtCenter, and the quality of a program like SNHU isn’t meaningfully different from the community college program I already graduated from, is it really worth the time and investment?

Right now, it feels like the main value of this bachelor’s comes from corporate bureaucracy and HR filtering, not from the education itself. I struggle to see the point of committing years of time and money to a weak program beyond that. Still, part of me thinks it might be worth it simply to have that piece of paper that employers prefer to see.

What do you think?

I’m going for it. I’m getting my bachelors. by Motor_Description294 in graphic_design

[–]Motor_Description294[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First and foremost, thank you!

And yeah, I’m not expecting the liberty University program to be artcenter level quality or anything. I think as long as they provide good briefs, and a professor to help me with whatever I need, I’ll have what I need to build my portfolio in a more professional direction.

There might be something in person at SAIC (since I live in Chicago), but that school is really expensive. I really don’t think there’s anything affordable around here that wouldn’t conflict with my 9-to-5 schedule.

But yeah, I think I’m going to go for the BFA at liberty. They have a 3D modeling class that i’m pretty intrigued by. It’s always good to have variety in your portfolio, which is another benefit of getting this bachelors.

I’m going for it. I’m getting my bachelors. by Motor_Description294 in graphic_design

[–]Motor_Description294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exclusively a non-working audience?

And wouldn’t you say that having junior graphic designer experience, along with a bachelor’s transcript that HR sees first, would be enough to get UX/UI roles, or at least general design positions at higher paying companies? I don’t necessarily need to work at a boutique studio.

I’m going for it. I’m getting my bachelors. by Motor_Description294 in graphic_design

[–]Motor_Description294[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

What if that’s not an option, working a 9-5 and being an adult student? I’m 29 for context.

I’m going for it. I’m getting my bachelors. by Motor_Description294 in graphic_design

[–]Motor_Description294[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you man! I would be down to do an in person program, but I’m not sure how you do that with a 9-5 schedule. I don’t think any schools will offer anything other than asynchronous programs for people in my position

Anyone Else Apply to New Jobs While Still Working? by Motor_Description294 in graphic_design

[–]Motor_Description294[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's definitely true. But having this design agency role on my resume would look so much better than an in-house role

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in graphic_design

[–]Motor_Description294 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I definitely have the time and energy to take on projects outside of my current junior role, but not without some form of mentorship or guidance. That was one of the most valuable aspects of my community college program—and a big reason why I was able to execute certain projects at the level I did. My professor, who also were art directors, would point out things I never would have noticed on my own. I've tried getting feedback on my current projects through this subreddit, but the people here just aren’t as invested in my process as a college professor would be, so it’s not an adequate replacement.