An animator not immediately working in animation or studios or choosing flat out not to after graduating doesn’t mean they’ve failed, or that now they HAVE to work a “dead end job”. U guys realize how many skills you have as an animator to work in many diffrent art fields, right?

I always get this anxious undertoned feeling from colleges n professors n other peers; that if you don’t get into animation right away you’ll never get in and that’s just not true and so harmful to an artists’ ego.

I feel like a lot of animators fresh out of college only apply for animation jobs or positions, and don’t think abt other shit they can do as an artist if it doesnt work out right away.

Like I’ve debated currently in my thesis year working at a dispensary full time for year or so, and working on my portfolio while I do it to bulk it out with stronger pieces while taking comissions or opening an online store. Have other options open that won’t make you feel bad.

And tht will fulfill me just as much as working full time in a studio would. Truly. My art will still be good without working at a studio, and working at a studio shouldn’t be what validates your worth as an artist.

Also since animators most often are freelance or hired on by the shows run time (shows can br canceled whenever), it’s just always good to think about having a second income stream coming in even if small to help during job “droughts” if you will.