Need advice

[BrotherRoy]

I'm looking for an honest opinion from fellow artist:

I started out attending Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online but after getting into the core classes of the Media Arts and Animation Program felt I was spending too much money for nothing. I withdrew once and due to financial reasons and the impending student loan payment I returned to the school after failing to find a sutible alternative. Once again I withdrew due to work schedule issues, family issues, stress and a boat load of other issues. This brings me to my delimma.

Again, my student loan repayments are creeping up on me and again I'm considering returning to school for the sake of finishing my degree and to keep the loan sharks at bay. I know that's not a good reason to return to school, but it is a driving factor due to financial reasons and I want to finish my degree.

I've done what leg work I can do and I know what colleges are nearby, however I work an awkward evening shift: 3PM - 12/1AM and during the early mornings I'm sleep. I'm married with 4 kids and my wife is already pissed enough about my work schedule and sleeping schedule. I quit school in hopes that I would find a more normal work schedule but I feel like the clock is ticking.

Let me sum this up, I spent about 3-4 years at AIO, somewhere around 30-40K in the hole with the FEDs for loans, and if I go back to AIO I could finish in a year or a year in a half and be 50-60K in the hole.

Colleges near me:
Art Institute of Washington DC/Virginia
Westwood College
Northern Virginia Community College - would loose credits for IT program and Art and Web probably.
George Mason University - would loose credits for web program
Strayer University - would loose credits for IT program
Germanna Community College (down the street from my house) - would loose credits for IT Program and Art program.

Online colleges I'm considering:
Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online (yes again)
Academy of Art University Online (but know little about it)
Other possible Diploma mills like:
Ellis University - would loose credits to transfer into Web program

So just give me what you can, not looking for anyone to tell me what to do but looking for a more what would you do in my shoes. Would very much appreciate a response. Sorry this is my first post here and rather novelish.

Roy

[Storyboard Dave]

Wow... quite the dilemma you've got there with schooling, work, loans AND the family issues looming over you.

Obviously priority one is family and their welfare. When you & the Mrs. decided it was time to have little ones they became the priority. But I do see the dilemma of trying to further yourself for their sake too as opposed to being mired in just a job.

Now what I would do in your shoes is to look at what it is you want out of that education? Is it the sense of completion ("Hot damn! I gotta diploma!") or is it having a skill set capable of landing a job? I find that a lot of people enjoy the security of staying in school- it's all arbitrary deadlines when you think about it! I'd look towards what is beyond school. What is the career I want to get into and what will get me there the best way? Is it School X, School Y or is it just me looking at what skills I possess now and just busting out a killer portfolio to land that position?

Take an inventory of what you've got and see where it's best served. If you find yourself lacking in a certain area, then get the best thing to shore it up whether it be schooling or self learning.

In your case, what is going to be the most difficult thing is the time management. You'll have to pray the Mrs. is going to be patient with you as you dedicate (no wavering here) some sort of time to your skills whether it's in school or you just dedicating an hour or two of your day to polishing your skills. Your kids will pull you all over and your job requires you certain hours- hence the time management.

Again, set forth the goal (you never explained why you were in school) and a game plan to get it. It might not happen overnight because you've got so many other obligations but it's not impossible.