FLASH: College or not?

[Scott Wilkinson]

Forgive me for flogging a near-dead horse, but I've followed the college

thread with interest. (Off-topic though it may be.)


My own situation is somewhat unusual and leaves me straddling the fence on

the issue. I have a B.M. degree from The Juilliard School in New York. My

first career was as a professional classical musician. I did everything

right: went to a world-class conservatory, performed in international arts

festivals, freelanced a lot, networked with the bigshots, even played

professionally overseas. In short, I was qualified as hell for my chosen

career...and still had to abandon it. There were (and still are) too few

real jobs and way too many qualified musicians for those jobs.


So here I am today, ten years later, a writer and web/multimedia developer.


What's interesting is that I have a college degree, but it has absolutely

nothing to do with my current profession. (Believe me--there are no computer

courses at Juilliard!) Do I regret it? Not in the least. It was a priceless

experience. And I suppose one might argue that it taught me to strive for

excellence in all that I do.


As for my current profession, I acquired my skills through a decade-long,

twisting path of several jobs in different facets of the communications

industry: copywriting, marketing, video & film production, retail franchise

communications, etc.


The issue of college is a complex one, because different people benefit in

widely differing ways (and amounts). You can't knock a well-rounded liberal

arts education, though. For those that feel like they can't take the time

for college, what's your rush? And for those that believe it's too expensive

and burdens you with debt, why go to a pricey school? You can learn a

heckuva lot from community colleges and small, inexpensive 4-year schools.


Scott


--

Scott Wilkinson

Alias Design, Inc.

301.293.2487



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