hey gents, i'm 19 living in CA workin towards a transfer to a 4 year institution and i'm majoring in film, i know all about how "difficult" it is to break into the film industry and make big $$, although it would be great to work on multi million dollar projects i'm really not in it to be a guerilla film maker, as in i don't want to be a starving artist, so i've considered a script writer/analyst as a safe bet and income should roll in smoothly and i'll have enough time to maybe consider a minor degree

i have a love for business too though, aside from the money i find stock trading, investing, and money management in general to be very exciting and fun, unfortunately i'm not a math wiz and taking two years of calculus and some other math courses is a bit daunting.. then i think to myself, do i really need a degree to become a successful investor?

i read a lot, not just one or two books a month, but rouphly four simultaneously throughout and its just a cycle i got in the habit of doing since the 6th grade

lol i honestly don't know what i'm asking help for, but i'm a little confused on how i should approach my studies for the next 2 maybe 3 years, i obviously want more then financial security and i think it's a good goal to have as i'm young

i could use some advice or tips.. anything really as i know most of you guys are older then i, and have tasted the world after school

Majoring in film is okay if you've got a plan. Sounds like you're still bouncing around with what you want to do. I've been there too.

Take a very objective look at yourself. Figure out what you would like to do, what are your strengths, what are your weaknesses. Your first couple of years in college will allow you to take courses that will apply to various degree programs. If you like writing, take some creative writing classes. Thinking about business? Look into accounting.
Maybe you could do some research this summer. Write to some agencies that handle script writers. See what they are looking for. Find out what other jobs are out there. Look into internships with studios. Pushing a broom around a movie lot or some other entry level job might get you into a position to either make some great contacts or discover which direction you really want to go.

Good luck with it

Paul

you are 19, you should be confused about how you want your life to develop. College can be the best thing for you, you can always change majors (most students do). Take the basic courses that almost every degree program requires, and take courses in fields other than your major. You just might descover your true calling lies elsewhere. You will also have great times my friend, great times indeed

No matter what, get your Bachelor's degree at the end. Just having it, qualifies you for the majority of jobs out there.

I graduated from undergrad in 2005 and am getting ready to finish my master's degree in May, so I am still involved with the whole college thing. I am also working full time, so I have two pieces of advice which were wisely pointed out above.

1. Get a 4 YEAR degree!! -- After you get out of school and are working a little bit, your grades and even degree type will not matter that much. Employers will be looking for 2 things: (1) Do you have at least a 4 year degree? and (2) What kind of work experience do you have? Getting a 4 year degree helps show you have the "ambition" and determination to see something through. So many times when going for a job, even if your degree does not fit the type of job exactly, just because you have a degree makes you eligible.

2. This piggy backs off the first one, but GET A GOOD INTERNSHIP. The #1 thing that gives you an immediate advantage out of college is experience. Everyone coming out of college has a degree, they just graduated!! But if you have a year or 2 of experience, you have the upper hand. I can count numerous examples of those who had internships had no problems getting jobs while those who did not could not get one. Plus, if you start building your experience early, you get to the higher paying positions sooner. Many people (at least in IT which is where I work) draw a line at the 5 year mark. This is where you go from a basic worker to like a team lead or some kind of supervisor/manager position = more $$.

No matter what you decide to do, definitely see through school for at least 4 years and do your best to build your experience base. As far as what courses to take, if you are still unsure what you want to do, try a lot of different classes and see if you can get a feel for what it is you really enjoy. Remember....money is not everything, you will still be miserable if you are working in a job you do not like, even if it does pay good.

there are tests (maybe online) that can describe your personality and whcih field of work you would be most successful in. (gabby, technical, social, etc.)
who wants to be the richest man in the graveyard. But.. follow your heart, it will never lie to you..:cheers good luck

Start saving 20% of every dollar you bring in! Invest it in a ROTH IRA and do that EVERY year until you re 60 yrs. old! Not so you can be worth $2million at 60, but so that you can RETIRE at 45! Now that's cool!

Start saving 20% of every dollar you bring in! Invest it in a ROTH IRA and do that EVERY year until you re 60 yrs. old! Not so you can be worth $2million at 60, but so that you can RETIRE at 45! Now that's cool!

lol, i think your response should go on a poster board for a mutual fund co

i'm looking into opening an account but i quit my job only a few days ago so i've got no money coming in atm, my folks are awesome so i may ask them for a hand and finish school strong instead of balancing work at the same time

I graduated from undergrad in 2005 and am getting ready to finish my master's degree in May, so I am still involved with the whole college thing. I am also working full time, so I have two pieces of advice which were wisely pointed out above.

1. Get a 4 YEAR degree!! -- After you get out of school and are working a little bit, your grades and even degree type will not matter that much. Employers will be looking for 2 things: (1) Do you have at least a 4 year degree? and (2) What kind of work experience do you have? Getting a 4 year degree helps show you have the "ambition" and determination to see something through. So many times when going for a job, even if your degree does not fit the type of job exactly, just because you have a degree makes you eligible.

2. This piggy backs off the first one, but GET A GOOD INTERNSHIP. The #1 thing that gives you an immediate advantage out of college is experience. Everyone coming out of college has a degree, they just graduated!! But if you have a year or 2 of experience, you have the upper hand. I can count numerous examples of those who had internships had no problems getting jobs while those who did not could not get one. Plus, if you start building your experience early, you get to the higher paying positions sooner. Many people (at least in IT which is where I work) draw a line at the 5 year mark. This is where you go from a basic worker to like a team lead or some kind of supervisor/manager position = more $$.

No matter what you decide to do, definitely see through school for at least 4 years and do your best to build your experience base. As far as what courses to take, if you are still unsure what you want to do, try a lot of different classes and see if you can get a feel for what it is you really enjoy. Remember....money is not everything, you will still be miserable if you are working in a job you do not like, even if it does pay good.

i had a thought - about doing an internship so i can get experience in the field before i even hit the job market with my degree in hand, but your comment just reinforced that idea and i've got it noted as a priority now :punk