Notes on several important things

"Nibby" (nibby68)
10/28/2013 at 21:35 • Filed to: NOTIONS

This is so frustrating. I graduated in May 2013 from a very good school, majored in studio art, had over a 3.5GPA, had internships and jobs every summer since high school. Worked as a woodshop monitor during undergrad and I know how to weld, use power tools, build things out of both metal and wood, (most of my art has been sculptures the past 4 years). I can do some HTML and CSS and as you folks have seen my work, I'm pretty handy with the Adobe Creative Suite, video editing, and sound editing (you learn a lot by Photoshopping cars). I've been applying to jobs since March and I've gotten a few interviews but nothing... I even applied for internships, volunteering... I got a volunteering gig nearby and they never called me afterwards. I don't drink, smoke, have never been convicted, etc.

Right now I'm living at home in Long Island and most of the jobs I've been applying for have been here or in NYC. I've applied to a few in other cities and states. I've been applying to graphic design, fabrication, working in artists' studios much to no avail. The number is pretty staggering, over 200 applications since March and I've only gotten maybe 20 or so responses (including interviews). Some interviews I've had to talk myself out of cause they were ridiculously far (I can't commute 3 hours to NJ one way for an *internship*).

Realistically if I were to get a job in NYC that would kill me both mentally and wallet wise. It costs $15 ONE way train ride to the city, 1.5 hours each way and so that amounts to $30 a *day* just for commuting. If people making six figure salaries complain about the fare, then you know there is a big issue. Not to mention that commute, I've done it before for a summer, is extremely exhausting.

So obviously my preference is here in Long Island and I luckily live in a place that makes it easy to commute to either Suffolk or Nassau counties. It's just really annoying not being able to get a job and then have your family nag about it everyday then they dump their responsibilities on top of yours (I don't mind taking care of the house and getting groceries, but if someone forgets to do something I don't want to keep having to clean up after their irresponsible messes). Example: Sister moved back home in May,her car was registered in another state, expired in August. She had the entire summer to register it back home, but nope. I had to make 6 trips to hell, er, DMV cause the DMV people are either young inexperienced or geriatrics JUST to register the car... it got done *last* week. So for 3 months, she paid to have a car sit in the driveway for nothing and I had to take care of it.

I actually do not mind living at home other than dealing with my sister's irresponsibility. I have a good relationship with everyone in my family. I just fear for this generation of college students and future ones cause all the people I know who have jobs right after college got them because their parents wipe their asses with money OR their parents/family friends have connections. It's really messed up when my other sister graduated from law school after working her butt off for 3 years and she and most of her law school friends are making the SAME amount of money I did... in my campus job. I'm fortunate enough not to have that much college debt, but how the hell are kids who are tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands in debt, supposed to pay off loans when they can't even get jobs?

I've tried local museums and art programs near me, they say they have no positions available or take my contact info just to never contact me. At this point I'm seriously considering working at freakin' Home Depot just to keep myself occupied and make some money. I'm not saying I don't want to work in retail (as it would just be temporary anyways) but then I'd feel slightly bad for taking a job that someone worse off than me could really use.

Sorry for the long soliloquy, just had to vent it out. Thanks for reading.

DISCUSSION (53)

mattoverdrive > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 21:40

I've been there before. Try not to get too discouraged, stick with it, hopefully, you'll get something soon.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 21:41

I bet everyone told you to go to post-secondary school and you will have no trouble landing a job after. Same boat I am in.

Who needs sway bars anyway > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 21:41

Welcome to Obamas America my friend. My brother graduated in 10' with a degree in industrial design, good experience and a great portfolio and he works at Starbucks. I graduated in 08' with two engineering degrees and it took me 9 months to find a full time job in my field. I've held a job since then but I'm making 15k under the average for my degrees. And this is in MA supposedly a great location for both those disciplines. Good luck with the search and remember to work hard and have patience and something good will come!

Nibby > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
10/28/2013 at 21:43

Yeah, my parents are making me apply to graduate schools which is also kinda a pain. The good thing is that some of them I qualify for tuition reimbursement cause one of my parents works at an institution.

Sn210 > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 21:44

Kinja'd!!!

Hang in there! Ever consider temping? I did it out of college and it led to a full time gig. It sucked but it worked out in the end. Have a Merc 560 SEC AMG to cheer you up.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 21:47

Well good luck on the search. I am in the same boat but with a GIS degree and now a landscaping job.

Dogapult > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 21:48

I hate all of it. this is why I am starting my own business.

Kailand09 > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 21:50

My only recommendation is to freelance man. Go on the multitude of websites, make bids on jobs, and do them. Add to your resume/portfolio. Even etsy could offer some useful experience by promoting and selling your work.

Anon > Who needs sway bars anyway
10/28/2013 at 21:53

Four rules of oppo:

Don't be a dick

Don't talk about what you do that might be considered dangerous on public streets.

Don't talk about religion

and above all of these, don't talk about politics.

desertdog5051 > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:00

I feel your pain, my friend. Jobs seem to be disappearing instead of being created. Even for people with qualifying degrees.

I have 16 years in the (health) insurance marketing field. Obamacare has driven all the providers I have dealt with for so many years, out of my state. The last one leaves next Monday. I am now looking for jobs at places Like Lowes, Home Despot, Costco, etc. Best I have found is part time. I will take it. I am lucky that I have a financial cushion to fall back on, for a while. I am glad I am older than many of you. I would not like to see where this is going. I feel it is not going to improve any time soon. Best of luck to you.

Nibby > mattoverdrive
10/28/2013 at 22:03

Thanks. The good thing is that "nothing phases you, you get mad once or twice a year and then you're fine" that's what Dad says :o

So I'm not really worried that much, moreso annoyed.

Nibby > desertdog5051
10/28/2013 at 22:04

Thanks. Good luck with your search too!

I've saved up all the money I made on my campus job so I have several thousand in savings. I never touch it.

Nibby > Kailand09
10/28/2013 at 22:06

One of my family friends asked me to make her a sculpture for one of her company events and I did... she promised to reimburse me for materials. Guess what? I had to buy tools and wood, spend time in my driveway carving it out, and she made me transport it to her event in Manhattan AND bring it back home. Never even paid me. I'd make a big deal but I didn't want to damage my family's relationship with her...

Nibby > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
10/28/2013 at 22:06

Thanks! Best wishes to you too.

getchapopcorn > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:06

Kinja'd!!!

Nibby > Sn210
10/28/2013 at 22:07

I've been looking at temporary jobs too, even applied for a few "need installation help for movie sets, temporary" stuff... no dice. I do love that W126 coupe, it's the best looking 2 door Benz post-1980.

ddavidn > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:08

Sucks, man. My wife has a degree in psychology and hasn't had a job since we got married 2.5 years ago. Now, she could probably get a job in retail if she felt like it, but that's beside the point...

Hopefully you find something soon. I would have you help me out, but my business couldn't even sustain me, so that didn't work very well...

Nibby > Anon
10/28/2013 at 22:09

He didn't really talk much about politics there, rather he's criticizing the US economy as a whole. I don't see much of a problem with that.

6cyl > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:09

Little things I have read and worked on using in my life:

Talk to your friends and your family friends and keep an ear out for anything. Most of the people I know who (myself included) that have picked up "real" jobs since finishing school found them through friends and family and they too had no luck with the job application approach.

A good recommendation is worth everything. Find out of any of your family friends own their own businesses no matter how small or large. There will probably be more than you expect.

In the mean time foster your friendships and do random nice things for people especially ones you know. People will be more likely to think if you and will remember you in positive way.

Don't pass up opportunities to get outside your comfort zone. That weird party your mom invites you to with a bunch of adults you don't know; go to it. You never know who you will meet.

Since you have an interest in art find a few local businesses that make things (glass blowing studios, machine shops, furniture makers) and see if they are looking for any help even if it is part time. If they have nothing and you like the place see if you can hang around a little each week and then help with clean up. They might grow to like having you around and find a use for you. (This is how I learned glass blowing)

Good luck!

Nibby > Who needs sway bars anyway
10/28/2013 at 22:09

Thanks! I've been keeping my head up and I've only had one burst of emotion in the past 5 months so I think it'll be okay. Good luck to you and your family!

Nibby > ddavidn
10/28/2013 at 22:12

Thanks a lot for the offer! Hopefully your wife will find something soon. Can she work as an elementary school psychologist/guidance counselor/therapist?

Nibby > 6cyl
10/28/2013 at 22:13

Thanks a lot; that's some very good advice right there. Tomorrow I'll go try again at a few places I've tried during the summer.

Leadbull > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
10/28/2013 at 22:14

Really? I've heard cartography has a really good outlook.

ddavidn > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:17

She could do a couple of those, but would have to get extra certification for just about any job out there. Her specialty was neuroscience, which would work out great even if people were hiring for lots of research around here. Unfortunately, that isn't really going on and lots of more qualified people are looking for work. Plus, two years without working after college doesn't look that good on a resume either. I'm not super thrilled about paying for extra school/certification because I'm paying off the student loans already. She makes a great babysitter though, so she's trying to do that now.

Nibby > ddavidn
10/28/2013 at 22:19

psst... there are lots of graduated girls who couldn't find jobs after graduating so they became babysitters in Manhattan... some of them make well over $50k alone JUST for babysitting

PRBot II > Anon
10/28/2013 at 22:19

Politics are fine, just don't be a dick, and tag it under "off topic".

ddavidn > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:23

Ugh, I know. Her sister went to that drama queen academy or whatever, babysat most of the time. When she was working, she could pay rent in Brooklyn and still have extra money left. And she didn't work full-time. Then she dropped out of school and then moved to Portland... but anyway... Yeah, there's a great market there. Here, we have lots of stay-at-home moms...

PRBot II > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:25

Until you get a job, Amazon Mechanical Turk offers a source of (small) income.

Here's a subreddit with hits worth turking for .

SaabLife, because Gripen > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:26

I've been right where you are. All I can say is: Be open to working/moving anywhere (for me it meant moving across the country). Do whatever it takes to make some money in the mean time. Beef up your resume like none other by joining state and national societies/organizations/clubs (the difference in refinement between my resume/cover letter in the beginning of my job search up until now is night and day). Be willing to settle for low pay to build up your resume.

When I graduated I had over 100k in debt. It's a pretty dark moment when they send you that bill and there's no job on the horizon. I must have applied for over 600 jobs before I started to get a good number of interviews. In the mean time I had to work wherever I could work (Target, grocery stores, you name it). That really punches the wind out of your sails when you get your degree in the mail and its nothing more than a piece of paper.

The big thing for me was a willingness to move anywhere, and I mean anywhere . I applied from Alaska, to Florida, to California, to Maine. Keep in mind that just because they don't have a job for you in the Northeast, doesn't mean that they won't have something for you in a different region. I went after everything, even if the jobs were only 50 percent of what actually applied to my degree credentials. But it paid off, then it becomes a pain in the ass of who to turn down.

All I can say is keep on going and you'll find your place. Just might take a little while. Which is the part that really started to kill me.

YSI-what can brown do for you > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:37

Keep working at it! It will work out, but you just have to keep trying!

Kailand09 > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:39

That sounds like a pretty bad experience. I myself have not done freelance work, though I'm not in the field you are in. I do, however, have multiple friends who got their start with art degrees by freelancing and proving themselves before landing a full time type of job.

I wouldn't get discouraged from freelance so much from that bad experience. If you set things up professionally, you should have a better experience. I'm sure there are many sources out on the interweb that will give you tips, like having contracts written up, estimates, etc. That way you have documentation that you're supposed to get paid. I'd even look into a pay some now, pay some later format.

Like I said, I'm not well versed in how that all works, but it's definitely worth looking into.

phenotyp > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 22:46

The tough thing about jobs is that you can't be afraid to relocate. I've done it a bunch over the last 10 years. Moved from Detroit to SF (and pretty much gave up car design in favor of product and other things design by choosing a job that was offered instead of waiting and hoping when no one was hiring— I was told, after four months of being strung along by VW, that they wouldn't pay to hire an American), then moved to Austin when another job was offered when I needed one, and then back to SF when a career-saving job was offered. It can be painful, it's definitely exhausting, and the older you get the more expensive it gets.
But you're young, motivated, presumably talented and competitive. Don't limit yourself geographically. Big moves can really be worth it. As proof of the last statement (since I hate bullshit platitudes like "everything works out, etc etc etc"), I just moved back to Austin because I had to come back, but I took my SF job with me, and I've already hooked up new clients and brought in new work because of it. Not to mention halving my cost of living, and increasing quality of life by about a billion percent.
Put in time working, then make it work for you. It's not an overnight thing, but you can make things work for you in the long run.

Nibby > Kailand09
10/28/2013 at 22:51

Thank you! After that fiasco with that woman, I'm definitely going to make a contract next time I freelance (and my sister with the law degree could help me write the contract :P)

Nibby > PRBot II
10/28/2013 at 22:55

Wow, that looks pretty legit. Thanks!

Nibby > SaabLife, because Gripen
10/28/2013 at 23:06

Thanks a lot for your post! I shall look for jobs elsewhere... btw what sites do you recommend? I've stopped using careerbuilder since it's done zilch for me but indeed.com has been getting me interviews and emails.

George McNally > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 23:13

I don't mean to be flippant when I say this....but if you don't have too many ties to where you are- move to North Dakota and work in the oil fields for a year or two until the economy turns around a little bit more.

Save your ass off and close to the end of two years-start putting out job feelers. You'll have some money in the bank for a cushion and you can hopefully find what you want.

Nibby > George McNally
10/28/2013 at 23:18

Do you have any more info on these oil fields? The upside is that ND has a lower cost of living than NY/LI but I have my family here, I grew up here, etc. I did live alone for 2 years in NYC but I was able to come home on weekends if I wanted to, but I never felt homesick. I'm good at keeping myself busy... I would do it honestly. Thanks

Walfisch > Nibby
10/28/2013 at 23:59

Not much advice from me here. The only thing I can think of is monster.com. I remember signing up there and uploading my resume, making sure that it is searchable by employers. While that's up, I did most of my job search via indeed.com, tailoring my resume based on whatever job I applied for. I did manage to transition into a different field (from warehousing to health care) by doing that, and even while I was already in my current work, I still get contacted by HR people and head hunters from my monster upload.

Anyways, good luck with your job search, and don't stop sending those resumes.

Kailand09 > Nibby
10/29/2013 at 00:11

That's the spirit! I'd keep looking for salaried things, etc. But really, from those I know, freelance is a good way to spring start yourself.

George McNally > Nibby
10/29/2013 at 00:50

I'm sorry, I really don't just apart from what I've read. From what I've read, the living conditions aren't the best as there is a housing shortage, but if you have a background in wood and metalworking-it might be wortha shot. It certainly wouldn't be easy, but probably won't be something you would forget for the rest of your life :-)

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Nibby
10/29/2013 at 08:29

Consider this a good learning experience.

If its not written down, it never happened.

If you do freelance work, write up a small statement of work, which is what you are planning to do. Spell out what is covered and what will be paid (T&M, flat rate, whatever). Then keep track. Document your time. Save your receipts. Then you can type up an invoice and present it for payment. If the scope changes, ask for more money, as it wasn't in the original scope. And remember, you can almost always walk away if things get out of hand.

It means you are protecting yourself in case someone takes advantage of you like this.

Something will come along. Its hard for people looking to change jobs too, at times.

Nibby > YSI-what can brown do for you
10/29/2013 at 09:05

Thank you!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nibby
10/29/2013 at 09:09

That sucks, man... I've been burned in the past on freelance jobs, so now I require half up front and half on delivery.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nibby
10/29/2013 at 09:17

http://www.businessinsider.com/williston-nort…

It's honestly not bad advice, if you're unattached and willing to move and work hard to make good money for a few years. Midland, TX, is also worth looking into.

In these boom towns, even the jobs at Walmart pay a lot better, because the demand for workers is so high.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nibby
10/29/2013 at 09:53

Keep your head up, kid.

I was in a similar position to you about a decade ago. I'd just graduated with a BFA in graphic design (after 7 years - started in civil engineering and waited way too long to switch majors) and had moved to a new city where my wife found a job. I applied everywhere I could, got a few interviews, but never landed anything good. I ended up working at a sign shop where the focus was definitely quantity over quality. It was soul-sucking work. I kept up with small design jobs on the side, and kept my ears open for other opportunities. I had the very good fortune to have an older neighbor who was a geologist. We became friends, and he got to know that I was good with computers and graphics, and wasn't happy with my job.

One day, he told me I should come to his office to interview for a job. "Geotech" was the description. I had no clue what that was, but told him thank you and that I'd give it a shot. I studied up on the job and the company, and was able to impress the manager when I went in for my interview. Once there, I worked my ass off to learn the software and the industry - if there was a training class, I took it. I also had great coworkers who helped train me, and I quickly started contributing. But a year later, the company was bought by a bigger one. I was sure I was back to square one.

Thankfully, I'd made enough of an impression on some of my coworkers that they vouched for me at a new company. So, instead of no job, I had a severance and a better job with better pay and benefits. Again, I worked my tail off to get more knowledgeable and efficient in my work, and was able to quickly move up. I took advantage of the company's education assistance program to get a GIS certificate, and now I'm doing very well - even have a supervisory role.

It's not the dream job I had for myself when leaving school, but it's rewarding and plays to my strengths. I make good money to help support our family (we have three kids now), and I still keep up with design jobs on the side to satisfy my need for a creative outlet.

My advice for you is to keep grinding, keep doing what you love and what sets you apart from others, and keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities, wherever and whatever they may be. Freelance is great, but also consider doing a certain amount of pro-bono work for charities and friends, etc. Get involved with local artists' groups. Honing your craft, and getting your work out there, one way or another, is a great way to build up your portfolio and get exposure and word-of-mouth.

Recently, I went to lunch with some friends from work and something caught my eye. There, up high on a store front, was some professionally-made signage of a logo that I'd designed! I'd done the work years earlier for a coworker who was starting his own business with his dad. They'd done well, and opened their own store. It was a great surprise and great feeling of satisfaction. My dream one day is to have my own design studio, once my kids are taken care of and I've saved enough for the long haul. I know that continuing to do the work I love, however little I get to do these days, will help me get to that eventual goal.

All the best - keep us updated,

Dave

Nibby > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/29/2013 at 10:20

First off, thank you so much for taking the time to write that post with gobs of excellent advice.

Unfortunately my professors I had at school couldn't do much to help me and my college's career counseling just gave me a list of places to apply to, most of them I already have done so on my own.

I'm not giving up and I'll still keep trying until I find something. I just hope it's sooner rather than later.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nibby
10/29/2013 at 10:50

Try your best to think of this time as a rare opportunity in your life. As much as you'd rather have a good job and your own place, right now you have a place to stay and time . While working hard to find a job, use some of that time to commit to your craft and the work you love.

Perhaps find a sculptor in the area that inspires you. Ask for a meeting with him or her, share your situation, show your portfolio, and offer 10-20 hours of your time each week as an unpaid helper/apprentice to them, until you find a job that prevents you from committing that level of time. Treat your time with them as seriously as you would treat a good job. Show up early, stay late, become valuable, and learn as much as you can from them. If they can't eventually hire you, you'll have gained great experience in the meantime and an important contact.

http://www.sculpture-center.org/joinVolunteer.…

http://dthsculptor.com/home.htm

http://metalsculpture.kpsearch.com/df/default.asp

http://www.edithraebrown.com/portfolio.html…

http://www.spacetimecc.com/

Group B-raaaaaaaaaap! > Nibby
10/29/2013 at 10:56

I missed the boat on this yesterday, but I do have a suggestion.

Cut Wood.

Get a heavy axe, and at least a cord of logs. Since you live on LI, I'd assume that you probably can't just go cutting trees down. Call a tree service from the area, ask to buy logs less than 18" in diameter, cut into 1 foot sections. You want about 43 of these. They will be happy to sell to you because it means less material to dispose of. They could sell to sawmills, but I'm willing to bet there aren't a lot of sawmills on LI, so transportation for them isn't cheap. Negotiate a fair price, and buy the logs. Ask that they deliver to your house. Find a stump or appropriately hard surface in your backyard. You can use the largest diameter log in your bunch as a surface as well. Concrete is okay; do not use paver stones or asphalt, you will destroy them. Split every single log into quarters. It is simple: sink the axe slightly into the face of the log, then raise both axe and log and bring down as hard as you can onto your striking surface, splitting the wood. Do this as many times as needed to split the logs. Do not stop until every log is quartered. Don't listen to music. Don't wear gloves. Don't think. Just you, the logs, and a good supply of water. Smell the wood. Feel the axe in your hands. Listen to the thunderous cracks of your strikes as they reverberate off your surroundings, like a cannon fired in a valley. Stack the wood out front. Bundle it into 5# batches with heavy twine. Sell it to your neighbors with fireplaces; charge extra for delivery.

Repeat every time you need any of the following: Exercise, Sense of Accomplishment, Pocket Money.

Now you've exercised, cleared your mind, and achieved something. Keep your head up and keep pushing out those applications. Write meaningful but confident cover letters. Always keep your resume fresh. Take that menial job if it means staying active and out of the house. Part time work shouldn't interfere with a full-time job search. Take ownership of it at your next interview. Explain your passion and that you chose to work at Home Depot because you aren't the type of person who can be content to do nothing. Above all else, learn what you can accept (things beyond your control, that not everyone shares your work ethic, that the job market is tough); more importantly, learn what you can't accept (failure, letting yourself down, lethargy).

Kinja'd!!!

Nibby > Group B-raaaaaaaaaap!
10/29/2013 at 11:10

The good thing is that I have a plethora of fallen trees in my woodsy backyard thanks to Sandy but I would most definitely need a truck for this kind of work.

Thanks a lot for your words and you're right about it being hard out there. I'm gonna take initiative this week and set things straight. Time to really buckle down and focus. Thanks so much!

Group B-raaaaaaaaaap! > Nibby
10/29/2013 at 12:16

Any time! It's advice I wish I had received when I was younger. I didn't figure out that achievement was it's own reward until I was going through a messy divorce at 29 years old. After about 3 months of wallowing in self-pity, an older friend invited me out to his place in the sticks to help him cut wood. I really didn't feel like getting off the couch or turning off "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" for the 100th time, but he was pretty insistent that I come out there. So I relented, drove out to the woods, and he handed me an axe. His only advice was "Cut Wood or GTFO". And we cut wood. For 6 hours, all we did was cut wood. No talking. No complaining. Just wood, and water. That evening we burned some of the wood in a bonfire, stacked the rest out front, put a sign up for the neighbors advertising free wood (he just needed to clear 2 trees off his land, and is a generous guy in general) and we ate some venison from his freezer and drank some bourbon. After dinner all he asked was what I planned to do next. And I told him "Start Over." And I finally did. I had cleared my mind, chiseled away at remaining self doubt, and felt like I accomplished something for the first time since college.

I still go out there to cut wood and drink his whiskey about 4 times a year. Because these feelings of doubt and helplessness can be pervasive in our society. I still feel riddled with expectations of the superficial (earn money, have nice things, appear successful), and in a way wasn't raised to be manly. I was taught snark, cynicism, complaining, and frustration. I was raised on a steady diet of malcontent, people pleasing, and risk aversion. I drifted through my early life and just accepted things as they came. I went to a state college because everyone else did. I married my college girlfriend because I thought I was supposed to. I took a steady job with marginal pay because I figured with enough time I'd coast my way into a comfortable gig in middle management. By 29 years old I had discovered that my wife wasn't the person I thought she was, my job wasn't going anywhere because I was one ant in a mound of 75,000, and I was working too hard to be so broke. Then it all came crashing down. Perhaps the greatest gift I ever received was adversity, and the fact that it forced me to change my lifestyle and worldview. I know there are a lot of feel good stories out there which portray a sympathetic lead character finding themselves after a life-changing event, and coming out better after beating the odds. What these stories can't express, however, is the internal realizations of the lead. A better life isn't the reward, it's the consequence of self-actualization (which is the real reward). Adversity will make you just as readily as you think it can break you, simply because you have a real and unavoidable opportunity to see what you're capable of. Once you realize that, goals become attainable, processes become fleshed out, and you can move forward with the confidence in your own abilities. For me, the best way to discover this was the stop thinking, and just act. Plan: Prepare: Execute: Review: Adjust: Repeat. And always make time for a mental vacation when needed, even if it's for 3 hours doing the most rudimentary of tasks, like cutting wood.

Best of luck to you in your endeavors! Remember, failure only occurs through neglect; otherwise it's just another opportunity to try again.

Nibby > Group B-raaaaaaaaaap!
10/29/2013 at 13:22

Thank you! I'll do my best and I'll cut as much wood as I can :D

Nibby > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
11/04/2013 at 10:44

I sent emails to the metal shop, the artist in Glen Head, the other artist who runs a studio, and the sculpture center last week... not even one reply. :/

Went to a local museum and asked if they had any career opportunities... "Unless you're a gifted expert at something, then no." Rude old woman.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nibby
11/04/2013 at 10:50

Sorry to hear it, man... Keep after it, and do what you have to to keep your creative side fed. Maybe go down to the sculpture center and figure out how to volunteer. If nothing else, you'll meet some like-minded people and build connections.