School and Career Questions

[Deirche]

I'm scheduled to start my B.F.A. in Illustration, and I have a lot of questions...
1. As far as jobs are concerned, it seems like this might end up being a lot of freelance work, which is fine but I'm curios how consistent an income people average?
2. Do companies or clients care more about where you go to school or what your major is, or are they mostly interested in your work?
3. I'm enrolled at a university as upposed to art school, should I be looking at going to an art school, and how important is my minor choice (i.e. is business a better choice than philosophy)?

Brand new to the site so I apologize if these questions have already been answered elsewhere, but I would greatly appreciate any feedback. Thanks

[Storyboard Dave]

You're right. These questions have been answered quite a few times here but I can completely understand if you don't want to go searching for the answers imbedded in the forums here. That being said, I'll also keep the answers brief as well then.

1) I teach part time but then I make six figures freelancing in the real world. I also know of other freelancers that make a lot more than me and I also know of a lot of freelancers that make less than me too. Part of figuring out the salary average is dependent on how fast one can work, how much are you willing to hustle, do you have a marketable skill, how easy are you to work with, and how much your style is in demand... among other things. There are all sorts of variables to what a freelance illustrator can make.

2) They want to see a relevant portfolio. Simply put- they have a problem that needs to be remedied and if you can help them out, that's your ticket in.

3) I'd consider choosing a minor towards what you feel strongly about the same way I'd be choosing a major. Do it in something you have a passion or interest in.

Good luck.