I have an Associates Of Science Degree in Film. I'm a Film Projectionist for AMC Theaters. I got a few Filmmaking jobs after I graduated from Full Sail Film SChool but they weren't paying the bills. What else is out there without me paying for school again.
Who has a Bachelor's Degree? Does it really matter so much?sunshine I was a double major in college and got two bachelor degrees. One in "Film and Digital Media" and the other in "Information Systems" (computer science with a business bend). I wanted a "filmmaking" job, but to be honest, they don't pay nearly enough as an IT job. The high paying IT jobs require that you have at least a bachelor's degree. It helps you get into the door of most major companies. But seriously, experience is king in this IT field. Typically, companies might substitute at least 3 years of work experience instead of a degree. It also gives you more freedom in leaving your work if you don't like it because the company you work for now knows you are a good worker, not necessarily your next employer. A bachelors degree gives them more confidence that this guy is reliable, smart, and was disciplined enough to stick with a 4 year program. Also, I've heard that it helps you later as you advance in your profession. I personally believe that knowledge you learn is never wasted, and in general you'll always need to learn new things because things keep changing all the time.
As far as Film is concerned, I find it more of an apprenticeship type field. You make friends with someone who has a great job in your interest area in film (editing, cinematography, acting, directing, tv production, make-up artist) and ask him/her if they'd allow you to be their assistant. If you do a good job, they might ask you back on the next project they work. Who knows, this mentor's boss might notice and contact you directly for their next project. It is more of a gamble and a bit longer of a struggle to make it in film. Conversely, you don't really need a bachelor's degree for it. Contacts are more important.
Generally (regardless of field), I think that if you don't have a bachelor's degree, get your work out there and impress people with your real world work experience. Network, have some good contacts. If you do decide to get a degree, a double major should be considered only if you like both areas cuz so far as I can tell, its only confused employers as to what I really want to do.
Who has a Bachelor's Degree? Does it really matter so much?star theater opera theater
It depends on your field of study. Yes, a Bachelor's degree (or lack thereof) matters to a lot of employers, but it needs to also be the right Bachelor's degree. If you are going to go get a degree in History, and want to do something other than be an Historian, the market isn't going to reward you much for having that degree.
If money is truly that important to you, you need to re-think your career choices. If you really want this particular career and money is secondary to you, then seek out the counsel of somebody in your field whom you admire and ask them to advise you about how to best pursue your ambition in your chosen career.
I have a bachelor's degree in Accounting. To go into that field, you really need the degree, plus additional certification. However, for a field such as filmmaking, some of the highly successful people have degrees in filmmaking, some do not.
If you want to change careers without returning to school, you will need to choose a field where a degree is not required, or is optional. Alot of retail and restaurant managers have no degree or a degree in an unrelated field.
I can't address your particular field from direct experience, but in my field DEFINITELY! Your resume is usually the first information a potential employer learns about you. A great education sets you apart from the other resumes. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and my MBA. It has opened several doors that otherwise would have remained closed. You can't have too much education.
