I spent a lot of time questioning if I needed a degree in photography to progress in the industry. The answer wasn't as straight forward as I imagined.
As someone who is considering this path, and with a similar perspective on what an MA programme could offer in terms of progressing personal work, this was an incredibly helpful (and well-timed) read - thank you!
Hi Connie! I wrote it in the hope that it might be valuable to someone debating the choice, just as I once did, so I’m really glad it helped. It’s a decision I didn’t take lightly, and it requires real consideration.
I got the most out of my experience by trusting the process and fully committing to it. If I was in, I was 100% in, open to my initial path changing along the way. I also made sure to use the time and resources available to set myself up for continuing after the course.
Many students drop off after a course finishes, seeing it as the end. However, in my experience, if you go into the course from the outset seeing it as training wheels for a new start, rather than having a finish line, you'll find that completing it isn’t the conclusion but the beginning of a new journey and a transition into a new way of working.
Thank you so much for the considered response. A lot of it really resonates - I‘ve always enjoyed classroom environments and can totally see how a programme like this could reset work life entirely. I got a little taste of it already taking continuing education classes at ICP in NY a few years back. If things work out, I‘ll aim to share some thoughts & progress on Substack - would be lovely to compare notes!
As someone who is considering this path, and with a similar perspective on what an MA programme could offer in terms of progressing personal work, this was an incredibly helpful (and well-timed) read - thank you!
Hi Connie! I wrote it in the hope that it might be valuable to someone debating the choice, just as I once did, so I’m really glad it helped. It’s a decision I didn’t take lightly, and it requires real consideration.
I got the most out of my experience by trusting the process and fully committing to it. If I was in, I was 100% in, open to my initial path changing along the way. I also made sure to use the time and resources available to set myself up for continuing after the course.
Many students drop off after a course finishes, seeing it as the end. However, in my experience, if you go into the course from the outset seeing it as training wheels for a new start, rather than having a finish line, you'll find that completing it isn’t the conclusion but the beginning of a new journey and a transition into a new way of working.
Wishing you the best on your journey!
Thank you so much for the considered response. A lot of it really resonates - I‘ve always enjoyed classroom environments and can totally see how a programme like this could reset work life entirely. I got a little taste of it already taking continuing education classes at ICP in NY a few years back. If things work out, I‘ll aim to share some thoughts & progress on Substack - would be lovely to compare notes!