University - this might be a really naive question

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by lastlight

There's nothing saying you can't just do a few smaller things (without a degree) and still make a good income and enjoy knowing if one ever slows down you can still run on a few cylinders.

Currently this is what I do:

1) Web/print design

2) Janitor at a church a few hours a week. My failsafe...will always have it if I want it and per hour pays me more than the rest - amazingly well. Done this since I took it as a part-time job when I was in post-secondary.

3) Shoot virtual tours for realtors

4) Hook myself.

I'm not rich. I won't ever be. But not having all your eggs in the same basket can be a good thing.

Im like you

1. Animation--pays very well but not a steady job year after year. usually 1 year contracts.

2. Interior Design--pays even better but even less steady and I have just started in this industry, so its tough...although I have some amazing contacts (this is KEY, who you know). I never went to school for this, just begged an HGTV guy for a job.

3. Illustration/odd design jobs--doesn't pay as well considering the amount of work but its usually just ontop of the other jobs on weekends.

4. Construction with my stepfather--he owns a company and hires me when I really need the work.

Basically I take all the work I can get! Sometimes too much at once and I get myself into a bind...like this month lol. But you always find a way to get it done. My point is that with this kind of work and many other kinds, you sometimes have to just do whats available.

One thing about this kind of a "career" is that stuff like my mortgage was hard to get. Luckily, although my income is all over the place, it has steadily been over a certain year total for the past 5 years. The crazy thing is that some years there is a $40k difference!

Hope you end up being happy with whatever you decide. You will if you find something you love!