I'm split between 2 choices

[Andrew1990]

Well I need to go and register for my classes at college but I am still torn between two options. The options are photography and Engineering. I like photography but I am still a beginner. I am halfway decent at reading wiring diagrams and putting 2 and 2 together on blueprints.

I would like to pursue photography but I am uncertain of the future outlook on it. Enginnering is ok but it gets a little boring. Should I go for the job that is boring but makes me guaranteed money or go after something I would like to do but is not guaranteed on income?


Any photographers here that make enough to survive by chance?

 

[TruePaige]

Photography..hmm...I wouldn't hedge all my bets on that as a major. But hey, if it is your true passion, what can I say?

 

[quackerww]

Everyone with an expensive camera thinks they can take good shots..
Engineering is an actual skill.

 

[xSauronx]

do what you like. if you get into photography you can get into all sorts of things. people like pictures, that field isnt going to disappear.

besides, if youre young, you have time to try out things and see what you like, and what you dont

edit: good point is made that not everyone can take good shots, but you can learn, and you can get into other artwork as well. my dad bought a printing business from a guy who is big on digital photography and the guy has done well enough for a 25 year old.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Take intro courses to both.

 

[magomago]

Um I don't get it. This is a dilemma?

If you really like photos you can study engineering if you like it and still do photog things on the side. Unless we are talking about deriving a lot of optical formulas, or are into some really interesting project based courses...I would get bored to hell with any photog class because I read so much about it online.

Engineering you need to sit down and read textbooks to really learn it.

Photography doesn't have the same level of difficulty. I think its much easier to improve your photography relative to a 'beginner photo student' level than it is to improve your engineering level realtive to a 'beginning student in engineering' level

 

[TecHNooB]

Ultimately they're just courses and won't make you amazing at either. But to learn engineering is much more difficult. I would say take engineering courses and take photography courses for electives.

 

[TheVrolok]

I'm all for doing what you like .. but it sounds like you're an intro hobbyist in photography.. that's not necessarily a reason to base a career around it. Engineering is a great field, but if you really don't like it, that's not good either. I love computers (programming/gaming/hardware/etc.) but I couldn't imagine making it my job. I love it as a hobby, but I went into medicine as a career. I suppose you just need to decide if your photography is just a fun hobby, or a worthwhile career option. Odds are good that if you choose it, you will end up scraping by at best.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Wow, I can't believe the bad advice you are receiving. Get a job at WalMart as a cashier and work your way up. In ten years you can be running your own store if you are smart enough. You don't need a college education to be successful. It's all a bunch of bullshit to bring more money to the colleges, not advance you in any way.

 

[RapidSnail]

Engineering: Career
Photography: Hobby

Do both, but choose priorities first.

 

[Sea Moose]

Hmm this is a major dilemma


Photography = Chicks love cameras, so you pretend your from a mens mag and get them to do a "photo shoot" great for the short term

Engineering = Chicks love rich guys and engineers are generally well paid.. More a long term pick up arrangement

I would choose engineering.

 

[Epic Fail]

Is this a free elective class? Skip engineering if you are going to take it for fun, if you are in the engineering department, why are you even asking the question?

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Wow, I can't believe the bad advice you are receiving. Get a job at WalMart as a cashier and work your way up. In ten years you can be running your own store if you are smart enough. You don't need a college education to be successful. It's all a bunch of bullshit to bring more money to the colleges, not advance you in any way.

Yeah, but it doesn't shake the fact that you're still working at Walmart.


On another note, you seem quite cheerful tonight.

 

[RESmonkey]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Wow, I can't believe the bad advice you are receiving. Get a job at WalMart as a cashier and work your way up. In ten years you can be running your own store if you are smart enough. You don't need a college education to be successful. It's all a bunch of bullshit to bring more money to the colleges, not advance you in any way.

Sarcasm?

 

[TridenT]

Are you choosing your major?

Go for engineering first...

 

[Sea Moose]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Wow, I can't believe the bad advice you are receiving. Get a job at WalMart as a cashier and work your way up. In ten years you can be running your own store if you are smart enough. You don't need a college education to be successful. It's all a bunch of bullshit to bring more money to the colleges, not advance you in any way.

Have you been promoted from trolley boy yet?

 

[AtlantaBob]

From someone who got an English undergrad (and then went on to get an MBA) -- get the engineering degree. You can ALWAYS learn photography later -- and you should spend a lot of time trying to learn -- but if you're going to spend $X on a college education (unless you're on full scholarship) get the degree that will pay for itself.

Learning the same info that you'd learn in a "university" photography class at a community college will cost considerably less. And (particularly in this economy) lack of debt is power....

 

[sash1]

are we debating courses or majors here? if this is your major, take engineering

 

[imported_Imp]

You can do engineering then supplement your income with photography on the weekends/holidays. It'll take a solid 4 years to become an engineer. Not to belittle photographers, but you can probably learn that skill a lot quicker throuh practice and mentorship.

Also, few give a shit where you went to photography school, they judge you by your pictures and portfolio. Do your own learning, take night courses. Unless you want to become a camera operator for a TV show/movie...

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: magomago
Um I don't get it. This is a dilemma?

If you really like photos you can study engineering if you like it and still do photog things on the side. Unless we are talking about deriving a lot of optical formulas, or are into some really interesting project based courses...I would get bored to hell with any photog class because I read so much about it online.

Engineering you need to sit down and read textbooks to really learn it.

Photography doesn't have the same level of difficulty. I think its much easier to improve your photography relative to a 'beginner photo student' level than it is to improve your engineering level realtive to a 'beginning student in engineering' level

This guy is clueless.

You should take intro classes, then decide what you want to do. You don't have to settle on a major now.

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: sash1
are we debating courses or majors here? if this is your major, take engineering

I thought this was a decision about which class to take too?

Why not start both? But I'd probably be more serious about engineering unless you have a real keen eye for photography. I don't think photography is a trade that you would really benefit from a specific college education (though I could be wrong). You could go into professional photography regardless if you had the skill as opposed to engineering where you gotta learn it.

 

[0roo0roo]

with digital..photography is pretty dead.

 

[Andrew1990]

Ok, I guess I may be able to take Intros in both. I just feel like I would be wasting time but I guess we are now living longer than before....

 

[Freshgeardude]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
Wow, I can't believe the bad advice you are receiving. Get a job at WalMart as a cashier and work your way up. In ten years you can be running your own store if you are smart enough. You don't need a college education to be successful. It's all a bunch of bullshit to bring more money to the colleges, not advance you in any way.

ill admit i did lol at that

 

[Pepsei]

3rd option, human sexuality 301.