Looking for a major in college, success, most importantly, advice.

[Desmond]

Ok, it's almost 12:30, so I'll make this short and simple.

I'm a Junior in high school, and I still haven't made any decisions about my future yet (concerning education after highschool).

I don't plan to get a job after college, following Steve's example. I plan to make money by selling artwork and generating royalty income from creative work. Maybe start a website/blog and make money from advertisements/affiliations. It's all very vague, but I'm just looking for an adventure. I don't want to get a boring job and expect to work every day with no sense of improvement. Instead, I want to generate multiple streams of income like Steve and work upwards, instead of staying at a constant income.

In that case, what should my major be?
I have been studying for the PSAT/SAT so far, and though I might not get national merit, I can still make a score higher than 2000 in the SAT if I study enough, so I can aim for a good college.

I want to develop my skills on my own, and I'm not even sure what good going to college would do. I just might as well, because I believe it would make my future easier. (If any of you believe that this is part of social conditioning and that it wouldn't, feel free to tell me your opinion.)

I am mainly interested in creation. I like to make things, but only certain types of things. My skills are still very shallow, but I plan to develop them over time. The hardest part will be to find motivation and to keep my mind and my intentions clear. I like to make artwork, but I'm not good enough to generate any monetary value from it yet. If in the future I get good enough, I want to sell commissions, and offer my services to people who want certain types of my art. If you have any other ideas on how to make money using art, please tell me. (I don't want a job as a teacher.)

I also like to make websites, and I do that well. I just can't blog. I am not good at writing at all, and it is difficult for me to keep my mind clear while writing, so my message sometimes does not get through.

I also have a hard time working for a long time on certain projects. For example, when I draw, I rush. I have just started to learn to pace myself and stretch my drawing time so each drawing will take a few hours, but I still rush, and a lot of flaws result from that. I am just an impatient person that wants results as soon as possible, so pacing myself while working can be a problem.

And my last possibility as a stream of income would be to build custom computers and to sell them to people. This is mainly because I am building one myself, for the first time! The parts arrive in a week, and I am anxious and hoping that none of the parts are defective and that I can build the computer without breaking anything. Wish/manifest me the luck, please?

With all that said, what advice can you guys offer me? I am 16 years old, and I'm just getting ready to map out my future.

Wow, this was a bit longer than I thought.

[Curtis2011]

You could use a website to advertise your personal art talent. Pick an artistic need that people have (like the website design you mentioned) then use a website to "sell yourself".

Although, that would really just be good marketing, but still only getting paid for the time you put into it.

If you want passive income, you could start selling instructional ebooks on how to design websites, create something artistic, etc.

[Tara680]

You are further ahead than most people, being a Junior in High School and actively participating on Steve Pavlina.com

[James81]

Sounds to me like you should be majoring in web design/computer science or something in that area.

To me, your most profitable skill (based on what you've told us) sounds to me like web design of some sort. However, you have to realize that it's a pretty saturated market, so you'll have to be really serious about it to be successful and live off of it. Same thing with your art....making a living off your art will also be a tough life (but it's doable if you have the talent and a major drive to succeed).

If I were you, I'd spend my free time developing those skills (web design and art) on your own and get started on your website NOW so that you can be gaining the skills you need during your time in college.

And then, I suggest you take a career aptitude test to figure out what other types of jobs that you'd like and choose one that will at least provide some contentment, but still be able to bring you a sustainable income.

Choosing a career is a balancing act really. At least in the beginning. In the beginning you're going to need something that will put food on the table so that you can develop your skills to do what you truly love. That's why I suggest that people find a major/career that relates to what they love, but may not be the number ONE thing they love, that will bring in a decent income when you graduate. Understand what I mean?

Most of the creative stuff you do you will NOT need a degree in (writing, art, music, etc.) to be successful. Success in those areas depends on how much you develop that creative outlet on your own.

Therefore, it's kind of foolish to waste money getting a college degree in something that you can develop on your own and still be successful at. College degrees should be chosen in an area that will make you money when you graduate and that you can be reasonably conent with should your creative pursuits fail.

[CJAnyasor]

Hey Desmond.

I understand where you're coming from and how you feel. I am 19 years old, currently attending one of the top universities in the world (University of Chicago) and have the same vision as you - not to get a job after college.

It's phenomenal that you're thinking about this at such a young age. Congrats. My hat is off to you.

But more to the point, I'd say this is a great time to get a Deviantart account, and start putting some of your work up there. You can sell art for a small commission, just to start.

In regards to your blogging dilemma, you don't have to write to have a blog. Make a video of yourself talking about art. Make a podcast (audio). Our just post your art as entries on your blog - maybe with the title of the piece as your post title.

Now, about patience. I don't know if anyone's told you, but getting a passive income and the success you desire is all about patience. I think you're getting ahead of yourself if you want to succeed NOW. Because the truth is, you're not. Steve made his passion his profit (true) but it didn't happen overnight. He worked hard (harder than any 9-5 job) and worked longer hours. You have to sweat. You have to deal with tough times. Getting a business and making money online is not easy. It just takes a lot of work.

I've had a blog for 7 months now. Almost 200 subscribers (not yet but someday), but it's 7 months of work. And I'm still working, still hustling for the big payoff for my passion.

If you love what you do (art in your case) you'll put in those hours, days, weeks, years, to get where you want to be. I believe everyone has the potential to profit from their passion, but many give up too early because they don't have the endurance and the patience to do so.

Here's your to-do list if you want to get started:

-Start branding yourself (buy Gary Vaynerchuk's book, Crush IT! Cash in on Your Passion for a low down on personal branding)

- Create an online presence (Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Tumblr, Deviantart, etc.) use some or all of them

- Make a blog (text, audio, video, pictures) use some or all of them

- Go to college to further your passion (college is not a waste of money - unless you already have an idea that you know you can carry out and profit from)

- Go to these sites and read them: Copyblogger.com, Problogger.com, chrisguillebeau.com, hilife2b.com (mine)

- Purchase this book/deal on how to make money being an artist (only $39 with text and audio)

Art and Money: How to Thrive as an Artist without Selling Out

If you need anymore help, reply to this thread or shoot me email at cjanyasor@yahoo.com.

Good luck, man