How have you been coping with the pandemic? 😅
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Hi, I've been scrambling for work ever since I graduated into the pandemic. I have not had a job since Feb 28, 2020, working as an architectural drafter and designer, and I have been looking at every avenue to make money. I think the main reasons that I am not getting picked up is because my illustration and architectural portfolio are falling short. But I have been working on solely on my illustration work to attract agencies for an entire year and I eventually got burnt out.
It's kind of frustrating because I kind of need work now. I have a troubled home life and asking for support has often led to more problems in the past. I feel like I just need to get this off my chest because I want to get back into the architecture industry, find an illustration agent, and get my etsy shop running to make a decent living. But that's really hard, when you're so broke you cannot even afford the tools to work (I broke my phone, and my laptop has a broken camera, etc).
I feel like my personal stressors have been putting me in a loop, where I'm so emotionally exhausted I cannot work on my illustrations, but at the same time, I'm getting stressed out about not working on anything, because it halts my progress towards employment and I continue having to carry the emotions of others at my home.
Sorry for being so negative, I just want independence.
Finis Coronat Opus
Instagram: www.instagram.com/madgcartoons/
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Website: https://michaelangelodgo.wixsite.com/madgcartoons -
@Michael-Angelo-Go Where have you applied for architectural work?
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@carolinebautista I've been applying to various types of firms that I can find on LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, sometimes Google. I don't particularly choose a specific size or what area of architecture they specialize in because I have mostly worked as a drafter using Revit, AutoCAD, etc. as opposed to a design architectural firm.
I got my first internship because my high school teacher was an architect and he let me work for him for a year. Then I got two rather poor internships through ads I found while I went to college. I got a BIM coordinator position (completely different thing) through LinkedIn. One of the employers I found through the school ads was working with a firm, and he got me hired with them. I tried going back to them, but they're looking for someone with more experience.
I have 3 years of professional work experience, but I'm not getting hired because I don't have enough experience apparently to get hired. My peers didn't have much issue finding jobs, but I did however when they graduated into the pandemic, for some reason.
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@carolinebautista I agree with that.
Given everything that's happened over the past year, and especially if things aren't panning out right now financially, it may be best to let yourself slow and get a "day job" outside of art (if you don't already have one), that way you're able to build up a good nest egg, support yourself financially so you don't have to rely on others, etc. Building up an illustration career takes time. You graduated in 2020, it's perfectly fine if things are slow, especially due to the pandemic. It's okay! I and my classmates graduated 6 years ago, and some of them are just now getting stable jobs in the animation industry. I've been teaching high school since the year I graduated college and I'm only just now getting to where I can focus on illustration. Am I ready (financially or artistically) to pursue it full time? Absolutely not! But that's okay, just like it's okay for you. I also notice that you're trying to pursue two very different fields by doing architecture and illustration, and if I remember correctly you've also thought about animation as well.. It's very natural to feel drained, because those all take a lot of energy! So be patient, and try to be okay with times when the path your life takes isn't quite what you hope or expect. You'll get there!
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@Michael-Angelo-Go hi, Michael! I’m so sorry to hear about your situation. The biggest advise I could give to you right now is to find a day job even if it’s low paying, even if it’s not art related, find anything just so you can have financial freedom and eventually independence from your family. while doing so, continue improving your art skills and building your portfolio. Don’t stop applying to agents and looking for art jobs. When you’re earning enough from art, then you can quit your day job and go all in as an artist.
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Do you want independence, or independence while supporting yourself with art? I’m sorry you’re feeling down, it looks To me like your expectations are really high, which leads to a bigger disappointment... get a day job, there’s no shame in making a living with a not art related job. Working as an illustrator is hard and long road, and there are almost no shortcuts. It took me about 4 years to be now able to have a steady income with illustration only and I STILL don’t have an agent, my portfolio isn’t perfect and I have a lot to learn. So don’t worry, you’ll get there, just don’t give up, keep your sanity while working hard on your illustration skills and don’t rush it. A year of trying is really not a long time (I know it is, for you, but not in general and it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough). It will get better!
