At a crossroad. Advice.

[Adam Jenson]

Sorry bout that.


Well as the title suggest I find myself at a crossroad in my life. One concerning my future occupation. Having decided to take a year of university I have found myself wondering what to do in the future.
I have found myself torn between various aspects of my personality and I have been told I would be an asset to each but I can't decide which road to follow.

A Teacher in order to fulfil my desire to gain and give knowledge?
A children's illustrator in order to create?
or a police detective so I can protect?

What are your opinions and what advice could you give?

 

[J-Man]

whu-?

 

[Zani]

Some text would be nice.

 

[Adam Jenson]

Some text would be nice.

hand slipped sorry bout that guys.

 

[zen5887]

Well there is nothing stopping you from being a teacher or police officer while you draw.

I would say teacher, mainly because if you want to draw for kids you will already be working with them.

I would also look somewhere other then an internet forum to help you decide major life choices.

 

[jezz8me]

Easy teach at a police academy mainly by using drawings.

 

[Hyoscine]

You're post comes across as a little naive but I see where you're coming from. You can be creative in your own time, possibly more so than if you need to make money from what you're creating. You'll find yourself both learning and teach in any career you choose to stick at. There's a lot of jobs where you're required to protect people; you could join the army, or become a social worker, or a lawyer, or any number of things.

 

[The Rogue Wolf]

Nothing saying you couldn't be a police sketch artist either, piecing together images of suspects with eyewitness descriptions, if you have the skill for it. It takes a lot of training though.

But as others have said, there's no reason you can't choose one profession and do the childrens' book on your own time. Plenty of people have done something like that.

 

[Jamash]

I'd be a Police Detective who was a children's illustrator in his spare time and who also taught Police methodology at the academy.

I know it sound's like a cliched main character from a 90's cop show, but that's what I'd choose.

I think being a detective would be the most noble, challenging and rewarding career path, but you'd also be able to teach police stuff later in your career, if your were good at it.

Also then you could do the children's illustrating therapeutically in your spare time, using it to help you deal with the dark side of human nature you'd see in your job.

Every good 'bad ass' cop needs a softer side and creative outlet.

Also if you choose being a detective first, you could always turn to one of the other career options if it doesn't work out.
However, it wouldn't look good on your police application if it read, 'tried being a teacher/children's illustrator, but couldn't hack it'.

 

[Teachingaddict]

Dont know if this helps, but im a teacher.....first job , actually carrer/vocation, i've truly loved, cannot see me changing anytime in the next 10 years. It truly is a rewarding profession

 

[barryween]

Well there is nothing stopping you from being a teacher or police officer while you draw.

I would say teacher, mainly because if you want to draw for kids you will already be working with them.

I would also look somewhere other then an internet forum to help you decide major life choices.

You stole the words right out of my butthole...
where i speak from.
Edit: sorry, i realized how rude that sounded. I agree with you, i wasnt saying this isnt a good sugestion i was just trying to be weird.

 

[zen5887]

Well there is nothing stopping you from being a teacher or police officer while you draw.

I would say teacher, mainly because if you want to draw for kids you will already be working with them.

I would also look somewhere other then an internet forum to help you decide major life choices.

You stole the words right out of my butthole...
where i speak from.
Edit: sorry, i realized how rude that sounded. I agree with you, i wasnt saying this isnt a good sugestion i was just trying to be weird.

The huge advantage of interaction over the internet is that you get the chance to correct what you say before you hit post.

Think about that.

 

[RhinoTuna]

Explore each decision carefully. It's taken me like 3 years of uni to realise what i want to do. Kinda sucks but that's just the way it goes for some people. You don't have to make this decision RIGHT now.

 

[vfaulkon]

Explore each decision carefully. It's taken me like 3 years of uni to realise what i want to do. Kinda sucks but that's just the way it goes for some people. You don't have to make this decision RIGHT now.

This, and one more very important thing - try not to get too hung up on those kind of abstract concepts like 'the desire to protect' when choosing a career. Not that they aren't important, but you should consider the practical aspects as well.

For example, as a cop, you'd need at least some physical training, as well as firearms and advanced driving training as well, to say nothing of the potential stress and danger you could potentially be exposed to.

As a teacher, you'd have to decide what field (and at what level) you want to teach and remain in school for some time after achieving a four-year degree to qualify for that, as well as have some understanding of (child) psychology and the patience and tolerance needed to teach other, much younger people.

As an illustrator, a path I can sympathize with best (I'm working on becoming a professional writer myself), you'll need to know how to find work and be ready to get another job to sustain yourself - artistic work tends to be fickle and can provide very little pay. And this is assuming you have some talent in illustrating.

As RhinoTuna said, take some time in deciding this. Maybe research the jobs you're interested in (talk to campus police about training, take an art class or two, etc.).

 

[barryween]

Well there is nothing stopping you from being a teacher or police officer while you draw.

I would say teacher, mainly because if you want to draw for kids you will already be working with them.

I would also look somewhere other then an internet forum to help you decide major life choices.

You stole the words right out of my butthole...
where i speak from.
Edit: sorry, i realized how rude that sounded. I agree with you, i wasnt saying this isnt a good sugestion i was just trying to be weird.

The huge advantage of interaction over the internet is that you get the chance to correct what you say before you hit post.

Think about that.

Jeez. I still like what i said i just didnt want you to get upset. but i see its to late for that.

 

[Adam Jenson]

This, and one more very important thing - try not to get too hung up on those kind of abstract concepts like 'the desire to protect' when choosing a career. Not that they aren't important, but you should consider the practical aspects as well.

For example, as a cop, you'd need at least some physical training, as well as firearms and advanced driving training as well, to say nothing of the potential stress and danger you could potentially be exposed to.

As a teacher, you'd have to decide what field (and at what level) you want to teach and remain in school for some time after achieving a four-year degree to qualify for that, as well as have some understanding of (child) psychology and the patience and tolerance needed to teach other, much younger people.

As an illustrator, a path I can sympathize with best (I'm working on becoming a professional writer myself), you'll need to know how to find work and be ready to get another job to sustain yourself - artistic work tends to be fickle and can provide very little pay. And this is assuming you have some talent in illustrating.

Thanks. At the risk of sounding like a jerk I have considered these. I'm currently working out at a local gym, have connections to the local police via an old friend and have already had some target practice, with a paintball gun but the concept is not foreign to me.

I also have taken a part time job as a nanny so I know how to deal with kids. Bieng a big one my self.

Thanks for the advice though

 

[goater24]

Well there is nothing stopping you from being a teacher or police officer while you draw.

I would say teacher, mainly because if you want to draw for kids you will already be working with them.

I would also look somewhere other then an internet forum to help you decide major life choices.

You stole the words right out of my butthole...
where i speak from.
Edit: sorry, i realized how rude that sounded. I agree with you, i wasnt saying this isnt a good sugestion i was just trying to be weird.

The huge advantage of interaction over the internet is that you get the chance to correct what you say before you hit post.

Think about that.

Well you sounded like abit of a tit my feind. And to the thread guy do what you want to do and not have others put thoughts inside your head. This is your future not a bunch of randoms in a forum. Grow a set and do what is right for you!!!!



Jeez. I still like what i said i just didnt want you to get upset. but i see its to late for that.

 

[Rock Avich]

This is the internet. You don't ask us for advice, you silently loathe us for ruining your life.

 

[Zani]

Join the army?

 

[Joselyn]

I think asking a forum full of complete strangers would probably not be where you'll find your answer...you'll have to decide for yourself...and if you STILL can't do that, draw one out of a hat...