A
female
age
30-35,
*ooki__11
writes:Hi all, this is not a relationship question, rather a life question. I have just graduated uni with an accounting degree (I did extremely well and was accepted into a big 4 accounting firm). The thing is, I love film. I figured it out in my last year of uni and have been hooked ever since. Regardless I went to the big 4 because it seemed like the sensible thing to do. I was fired after 3 months for lack of performance and disinterest. Here I am now trying to work out what I am going to do. I want to work in film but I know the road will be tough (and gigs are few and far between; worst of all I dont have my license yet so that is a desperate MUST). My family are supportive but they have also said that they think I see the world through rose coloured glasses and that I will never have a normal life if I choose film. That is I wont be able to save for a house, or holidays or nice things, and my money will always be unstable. This is all probably true, and now I am scared. What if I follow my dreams and they arent as good as they seemed, what if I get bored with it the same way I did with accounting, or I stuff up my life somehow. What are your thoughts??
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reader, wiseoldman  +, writes (25 June 2012):
Ever considered the fact that film companies, theatrical agencies and casting directors' offices need accountants too? There's a lot of money involved in that field and it has to be tracked and (for want of a better word) accounted for. A guy I went to school with got a degree in accountancy and business management, joined the production side of the entertainment industry and now runs his own (very successful, the pr*ck!) production company. I've never seen an uglier person draped in prettier actresses. ANYWAY, if it's acting you're interested in you'll need a dayjob anyway, and what better dayjob to have than one right in 'the belly of the beast'? That's how to make some pretty good connections- the one thing actors have trouble finding out about is what's being cast and where. This is because while of course the casting directors know details of roles up for grabs, they keep the auditions as limited and exclusive as possible because they hate meeting and auditioning actors they don't know. (You'll find that out soon enough) So seek work which requires your present skills and qualifications within the greater part of the entertainment industry and see where that leads to further your dreams.
A
female
reader, Honeypie  +, writes (25 June 2012):
 I too have a degree in accounting ( I wanted to take art and history instead but my parents advised me to take something I could "fall" back on.)
I worked as a assistant accountant and then as an accountant and made great money. I loved the company I worked for, my colleagues were awesome but my job was BORING.
I advice is YES, go for you dreams. And do it now, don't wait til you are settled in a job where you are dependent on that income.
Set yourself a time line for your "dream job" and if you by the end of it can't make it work, you will ALWAYS have accounting to "fall" back on.
Live a little.
Living with regrets of things you DIDN'T do is a waste of time. Trying something and failing is better then never trying.
Good luck!
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A
male
reader, Serpico +, writes (25 June 2012):
Im going to be blunt - unless you are EXTREMELY lucky and/or EXTREMELY talented, film is a hobby.
Remember, there is really no such thing in the world as "what do I really want to do when I grow up." Biggest fallacy out there. Why? Because NO ONE will pay you for you doing what YOU like. People pay someone to do things for THEM. If that ends up being something you like, great, but typically it does not.
If I were you, Id go with accounting as my career, and film as my hobby. If you are a good accountant, many people will pay you to do things for them. Film? At best its one chance in 1,000.
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A
female
reader, seeyes22 +, writes (25 June 2012):
Until you get it out of your system you will always want to do films. Give yourself a time limit If, after that time is up, you are not in films. Get a job, change your way of thinking and join the real world. But at least give yourself a chance at your dream.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (25 June 2012): I went into accounting and was on the verge of signing a contract to have the firm pay for my degree education when I had what I can only describe as an epiphany! Sounds rather dramatic but I just knew that it was not for my. My heart was not in it and rather than jumping for joy at an opportunity others would dream of - I was upset and petrified of committing to a career I knew I was not enjoying.
So I gave it all up, much to the disapproval of many people who thought I has gone mad! Fast forward 2 years and I am training within the field I want to and enjoying my job more than I thought possible. It really wasnt easy and I won't pretend it was all happiness getting this far but it was worth it : )
Don't let time pass you by and this be something you regret. I know exactly how you feel regarding accounting and yes financially it is very rewarding, but to me life is for living and I just didn't feel alive!
Good luck to you : )
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A
male
reader, C. Grant  +, writes (25 June 2012):
 Those are really good questions, and you're at the perfect age to be asking them.
I know quite a few accountants. The ones who did manage to stick with it are very well off. It's reasonably secure employment, and tends to pay fairly well. But I have to say that none of them would claim that the work makes their soul sing.
Yes, your dreams might not be what you think. But this is the time to find out! Give it your best shot now. Give yourself a deadline -- five years, until you're 30, whatever, and throw yourself wholeheartedly into it. You sound like someone who will regret not having tried. If you make it, great. If it turns out not to be for you, fine. If you get bored, you'll have learned something about yourself.
Accounting will still be there if you need it. If you go back to it if film doesn't work out, explaining to them that you needed to get some life experience will help compensate for having been let go from your first job.
You'll have lots of time in the future to do what's safe and conventional (potentially at the risk of your soul). Now is the time to take chances. Good luck!
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