To wonder - should I follow my dream or return to the job market?

[Torties]

I did a BA in Literature and the Arts 12 years ago, I'm early 30s. Since then I've been in the job market doing a digital role that is fine mostly, but not my passion. That said I've excelled at work and enjoyed a great quality of life until I was laid off recently.

I am seriously considering doing a one year MA in a specific part of the Arts that would allow me to pursue a new career in this area. It is my passion and anytime I'm not working I'm involved with it. To achieve this, I'd have to rely on a student loan and the living stipend you get it. I could think about renting out a room, although I'd likely find it hard to give up my space.

I really feel like this is a crunch point for me. After being ghosted by numerous interviewers and endless rejections, I now have three job interviews lined up in my usual industry. I also need to start applying to the course asap or forget about it.

I fear having no money and being a starving artist, but I also fear returning to the job market and feeling that sense of numbness because I didn't take a chance! FYI my parents have said they'll help out with any emergency money needed, but I don't love relying on them. I'd love some help making this decision.

If you can afford to and can make the sacrifices like having not much money and giving up your space, then do it.

Do it. You're so young and have a lifetime to make money and pay off loans. Follow your passion x

The time to do it is when you’ve no dependents. What are the job opportunities in your new area? Is part time an option?

Is the degree available part time?

what's the likelihood of getting a job in a related area afterwards?

In my 30s I really wanted to do a creative writing MA. I basically worked from when I was 19 and the idea of a year off work was very tempting.

I am so glad I didn't do it!

editing to add - I did do a post grad (work subject) at evening classes, when I was around 25. It was hard, working full-time. 6 - 9 for two nights a week for the classes, and then most of Saturday doing coursework. But it did didn't interrupt my earning, which is the main thing.

Do it.

Thanks everyone. I now have 3 job interviews lined up so feel the pressure.

I could do it part-time. This means I'd have time to get a part-time job but actually getting one could be another matter. I've been applying for both part and full time work, but only now recently starting to get somewhere with full time roles only. If I keep at it for longer I might get something though.

@EmeraldRoulette it really depends on my motivation to network and make that happen, but as its the Arts there will be no guarantee. if I don't do the MA, I could instead try to spend the next year following my passion when I'm not working...but without it, I might not ever get my foot in the door as I want.

@SallyDraperGetInHere is right though, I have no dependents now but that could change in 2-3 years. I don't want to have regrets but I also don't want to leave the digital job market and find I can't re-enter it in one year.

If I'm honest the main thing holding me back is fear of being poor and loss of independence/being dependent on parents if I need emergency money. That, and finding I can't get a job at the end of it. I could be doomsaying when there's no need but it's how I'm feeling. I can feel the promise of a new job and therefore $$$ getting its hooks into me and pulling me back to where I was. I want to have the courage to do something new, but I'm not sure if I can make the leap!

Do you feel comfortable sharing which part of the Arts you're thinking of studying?

If it's anything that will be able to be done by AI, I'd probably warn against it.

In general though, I think it's a good idea to follow your passions in as pragmatic a way as possible, with back-ups in mind etc. I suspect you'd be able to do your digital job again a year later, though again it depends on if it's something that can be done by AI or not.

@pjani The course is Directing and Playwriting. You do a placement in a theatre and have to specialise in one or the other at the end. I've done well with competitions etc in the past and my friend who did the course is now a director - but she also has a part time job in marketing.

My day job is digital project manager - I hope AI won't take it but who knows!

It's possible that I could do this course and end up regretting it due to money issues - equally possible I'll be wondering what if otherwise.

Also, I've applied for loads of PM roles in the Arts and I tend to get shortlisted but never get the actual job due to 'lack of experience in the industry.'

How many jobs are there in directing and play wrighting? If you lack experience for pm roles in that field now, how do you plan on getting experience with the masters? Is it a declining industry, or one taking on more people? Is it more important to you to try for your dream job, or to have stability with mortgage, pension etc?

All things to consider. And sorry to not just say leap for your dreams, I just mean you should think it through properly.

@HarryVanderspeigle There are some in my area and I have connections but obviously I'd need to work hard to break into it. I have a writing career behind me otherwise fyi, so that will hopefully count for something.

Luckily I have a very small mortgage, but yes pension is a consideration. But then, would I be happy saying I didn't take the leap this year because I worried about my pension later on?

I know this is the time to plan for that and I have been developing a work pension for 6 years now. I do feel like I'll be choosing between my dream and what I should do for stability. Then again I know there's a reason people often have to choose the latter.

You can apply for digital PM in 12 months time if the MA doesn't get you where you want to be.

It's really tough in the arts at the moment but it sounds like this is a good time in your life to try it - you will have a good story about the reason for the career break if you end up having to return to digital PMing, you have minimal responsibilities and support from your parents which mean this is possible, you have many working years ahead of you so if you don't get into directing and playwrighting now then you have plenty of time to keep trying.

If you don't do it now then you may have years of regret.

I'd look for the typical student experience of a part-time job (e.g. supermarket) that fits around your studies and see where it takes you.

The country needs more creatives and the transferable skills it will offer means there is limited downside of doing this but lots of potential upside.

Good luck.

Which do you plan to specialise in?

I would do it. You’ve got a great fall-back if it doesn’t work - digital PM, then there is middle ground - PM in theatre/creative arts. And then you can go back to your old job if absolutely need be. Also it may help you getting a job in theatre/the arts given you are already experienced in another field.

If not now, when? And all those people saying in later life you regret what you didn’t do more than what you did. I’d take a swing.

@pjani thank you - I feel I am getting closer to making the decision and the leap. I think you might be right about it helping me get an Arts job.

'If not now, when' is where I am. I have three interviews in two days - I think I'll have the answer by the end of that period. I hope.

When you are led on your deathbed you won’t regret taking a chance, OP. You only get one life, go for it x