JCC My daughter's career

You were right about Van Gogh, though.

 

I know a lot of unfamous artists, but most of them have found rewarding careers.

One went back and got art degrees later in life. She's a middle school art teacher as a second career.

I probably know ten decent graphic designers who studied that in school and are gainfully employed. Many of them work long hours with absurd deadlines at probably not enough pay, but at least some of them really love their work at ad agencies, and PR firms and all sorts of other companies. One graphic artist friend and neighbor is a successful freelancer with two kids working out of her home.

Another neighbor does illustrations for Sports Illustrated and a few other publications.

Another friend of mine studied painting and now runs his own 3D graphics company doing animated medical illustrations.

Another artist friend runs a pottery studio.

It's possible to study art and train yourself for a marketable skill and rewarding career under the assumption that you may not become a famous sculptor or painter.

 

15 is an awfully young age to choose. But if she says she wants to be a nurse, then there's your answer. If she changes her mind later on, she can switch. If she wants to do art, she can always do art. Don't overthink it.

 

This. The downside is that nurses don't get respect they deserve and they have to put up with a lot. Personally I could never do it. If she's good at math then I'd advise going with engineering -- last I knew, it was a degree that could take you far without needing a graduate degree. If I could do college all over I'd have given chemical engineering a shot, because my BS in Biochemistry has yet to prove valuable.

I don't know how things work in Canada, but my advice is not to close any doors in the science/math fields at this point. Other than that, if she doesn't have to make any required decisions yet, then I wouldn't worry.

 

Wocky has made an excellent point that none of us have taken the Canadian economy sufficiently into account in our advice. I am revising my advice: she should either tap maple trees or play for the NHL.

 

I read all of the answers to her. Looks like Diggy's, Debo's, and Beezer's answers were exactly what she needed to hear to feel more secure about her choices, and Chancellor Ewok's and Penguinator's suggestions were very gratefully received as well. So thank again, people. This has been very helpful.

But I may bother you with it again next year.

 

Oh sorry - forgot to say that your last suggestion was exactly on point.
A+ for Punk!

 

Plato didn't have to go to school to be a philosopher!

 

What did she say about the NHL?

 

That they don't allow women to play in it?

 

Don't take advice from that Diggy.

 

It's all about busting the glass ceiling, man.

 

This guy's daughter sounds like quite the.. character.