completely lost

[HAJiME]

So, I've got a place at Westminster University in London on their Illustration course.

But right now I'm at a junior placement at Sky British Broadcasting in their creative department.

Very few people get that kind of opportunity pre-uni and yet I'm not content.

Web and banner design isn't something I've never longed for - But I've always tried to be enthusiastic about broadening my knowledge, understanding and practise of a VAST variety of "art" forms. I cant say I find the type of thing they do at Sky's creative department partially enthralling. Whilst a small amount of graphical stuff is fine and enjoyable, it's not something I enjoy "full time."

I've always wanted to be "taught" illustration. By taught, I guess I mean encouraged to explore and create. And I never have. I did Fine Art A-Level and then a foundation degree, where I took the Graphics pathway - but it was VERY fine-arty.

I can't help but feel Uni might now, after-all, be a waste of my time. I've already differed my placement a year. It's a lot of money for what might not be a lot of return.

I am not in the slightest a sociable person and would be staying at home if I did go to Uni. I have NO interest in anything outside of studying when it comes to university, so this will NOT affect my choice in the slightest. Let me make that clear.

I just miss the irregularity. 9-5 every day is driving me mad. I enjoy the freedom of making my own decision of what is worth my time and it's never yet done me wrong. I feel as though I'm avoiding the inevitable prospect of work by feeling this way, though.

Any encouragement, suggestions, or anyone who can relate to how I'm feeling would really help me right now. I need to decide by June if I'm going to go back to studying... But with my "foot in the door" at Sky, is there a lot of point?

[Storyboard Dave]

First off I'll assume "junior placement at Sky British Broadcasting" is akin to an internship over here in the States. You've been given summer employment at this place as a learning experience, right?

Because if that's the case and it's a prestigious of an honor as you say it is, then take advantage of it. It's not last job you'll ever have so treat it as a great learning experience. No offense but at this point in your career, your contentment is not what's paramount. Your education and this Sky British Broadcasting gig should be. Of course they're not going to give you the most creative of projects to do (you haven't earned that opportunity yet) but they have given you a window in to see how businesses are run. Keep an open mind to what you might be able to learn there; it might apply to you much later on in life.

I'm also left to question what it is exactly you want in regards to a job afterwards. You mention a few things like you're "not in the slightest a sociable person" and it makes me wonder what kind of profession you're going into where you're not going to have to socialize with others. You miss the "irregularity" but do realize that the world is also based upon some structure as well.

I completely understand that going through university can be dull and boring at times but are you also keeping an open mind to what could lie ahead with much more intense classes & advanced classes? Is this arrogance? Ignorance? Or just a defiance to hear from authority? Realize that you're probably not the only one who has felt this way but come around to the idea that sooner or later if you want to "play the game", you'll have to find a way to fit in. University isn't the only path to fit in but one also has to be resolute in what one wants in the short term and long term in regards to goals as well AND how does one get those goals. You can choose and dictate your own path but don't miss out what great opportunities you have in front of you now.

Good luck.

[Stephen Mason]

I applied for westminster, :) life is a bastard full of un necessity. we go to school to go to college we go to college to go to uni we go to uni to get a job by the end of it all you either get very lucky and get a job where the guy that was in your class at secondary school who never went to uni is your manager or you cant find a job that will pay back your crappy loan, but because you went to college your miles behind everyone else who got a job and you have no experience in anything. then you find yourself 40 fat with 8 kids working as a IT technician. Education and employment in england is depressing.

But uni can bee fun, and you can do what you love all the time for 3 years without feeling guilty. Its a big decision that the government and industry are making a very hard choice for young people.

I might try Law? lol best of luck dude

[HAJiME]

First off I'll assume "junior placement at Sky British Broadcasting" is akin to an internship over here in the States. You've been given summer employment at this place as a learning experience, right?
Nope.

I took a year out between foundation and uni to get my head round some things. I got a small job at a cinema making very little money simply for something to do. I enjoyed that job.

Then, by chance, the opotunity came up at Sky. Somone I knew heard they wanted someone to train up who was pre-art school.

Sounded great, but they aren't training me. I get the impression everyone is too busy for me, but the money is far superior to the cinema and I only work a 4 day week. That, and it will look amazing on my CV. I feel like they are doing me a favour, so I've kept quiet. But I really am doing nothing all day every day.

A lot of people are saying now that I really don't need to go to uni, but I can't help feel I've missed something...? Learning wise, maturity wise?

I want the iregularity to my week back. Even if I am "putting off" working a 9-5 weekday job, is that a bad thing? I want to have some sort of push and purpose to making creative stuff, but still the freedom to explore and decide somethings worth off my own back.

I find my unsociable-ness hard to describe - I'm fine with people I know and trust, but those are few and far between. And I'm also fine with people I will only ever speak to once. I'm a "friendly face" to a business, I guess? I'm helpful and enthusiastic which is why I enjoyed the cinema so much. But I'm really not enjoying sitting in an office all day with the same group of people who constantly ask me if I want to go to lunch with them, or out that night for a drink with them all - no I bloody do not, that sounds completely vile.

I don't want to go to uni for the social aspects, but I also don't need to go to get anywhere job wise. Does this mean I have no reason to go? That's how everyone is making me feel. I just miss the education enviroment, I miss the flexibility and I wan't to be "taught" by process and thought again. But I also do not want to waste all that money.

If I'm offered to stay at Sky (which I highly doubt :P) - do I stay on the basis of good money and a solid job, or do I turn it down because (right now at least) I'm bored?

[Twisted_and_Tainted]

No man is an island.

[Helioth]

Socializing is or at least can be a way to learn.

Maybe you should read some Bertrand Russel, if you haven't already.
In praise of idleness and "Why I am Not a Christian".
The bit about how individuals interact and parasites work is what I'm thinking of in particular.

I'm not going to :asspat: here,
or lie, I liked school, University was hard to deal with at first, but if you really want to know things, you find out who the "good" people are, and school will have, hopefully, taught you how to think and deal with things.

All in all, university isn't that big a deal, it's another stepping stone at worst, even if you just do the bare minimum for the course but soak up information like a coke fiend snorts... ...You'll get what more of what you want.
I think it'll look better on your CV than "trainee at -sky- for 6 months".
Take things with a grain of salt, in a light-hearted way... then do your work with frenzied passion :P

You know, it's "fine" saying "going out for a drink/lunch whatever sounds vile", but think of it from their point of view, you're the new scrub, and if you act like you sound on CA, you probably haven't even let them know you feel underwhelmed with what they are getting you to do.
You don't have to "use" people you work with either, just try going out on a limb, letting them no how you feel, talk like you would if people could understand what you have to say, and you might be surprised.

As far as sitting in an office all day goes... sketchbooks sketchbooks :P
Maybe people will take note of your dedication and think you're making a comment.

Alternatively, study in complete isolation for years ?
Move to some other country, find out what possibilities there are.
If you won't accept anything but the exact exacting criteria you set for people / places, you'll be missing a lot.

As bad as it sound: only you can make yourself happy.