Quote: Original post by bgilb
Thank you for all the replies they mean a lot.
My only problem is that the past is affecting me now. I really want to get into an architecture school but I don't see how that is even remotely possible with my less than stellar academic history.
If you truly want to get into architecture your current academic abilities should not be a hurdle. 20 years ago I thought I wanted to do the same, but my grades weren't good enough. So I went back to college, studied a BTEC (Business And Technology Education Council qualification) and got myself a job as an architectural technician (an assistant), for which I needed only basic education. I think I applied to a dozen or more Architects and only got two interviews, but was fortunate enough to impress one of them enough to get a job.
It was poorly paid at first, but provided a clear path towards the profession. After the BTEC I went onto study becoming an actual Architectural technician with some other qualification that I forget the name of now. In short it would take a good 7-8 years but if I had stayed on course I could have become a fully fledged architect in time.
However this was during a minor recession here in the UK, the offices where I worked eventually went down to a 3 day week and I found myself hating the course I was on. I came to realise that actually I didn't want to become an architect at all, the chances of working on an interesting building are pretty remote, certainly not enough to fulfil my creativity.
At the same time I became interested in the newly developing world of Desktop Publishing, which I was able to pursue at the architects by being the only one who understood the technology. I was also becoming fascinated with the world of music, Dj-ing, warehouse parties and the like.
I took the 3 day week as an opportunity to get part-time work at a local record shop, heading up the dance section. Within a few months I handed in my notice and went full-time at the record shop. Stayed there for about a year until I decided that I wanted to get into graphic design. Again this came about from being involved in something related - the rave scene.
So I packed in my job and went to University, I still didn't have the required grades to get onto the course, but my obvious commitment to work and learning from everything i'd done since leaving school, along with showing personal work i'd done in my spare time got me a place.
Here I discovered a group of life long friends with similar interests, but more importantly I was exposed to even more computer technology. I worked both during my studies and during the recesses. Crappy part-time or agency work for everything from working in a supermarket, to making light bulbs, to working in a warehouse.
At this point I was fortunate to get in early to the growing area of multi-media. My degree let me walk into a job in London creating CD-ROM edutainment titles (don't laugh ;)) Although heavily slanted towards design, over the years my interest with programming developed, I had no-one to teach me, so I taught myself, buying bloody expensive books and struggling through.
Around this time the internet/WWW had really taken off and I started to use it more and more as a learning resource. Spending hours on sites like flipcode or here at gamedev. Frequently starting at the beginning of a sub-forum and working my way through all the 'interesting' threads up to the present day.
In a matter of a couple of years, my programming knowledge had developed to the point where I could see going freelance would offer decent pay, but more importantly the freedom to take on interesting projects and so thats what I did.
My parents were always supportive, allowing me to explore whatever area took my fancy, but didn't have the resources to get me personal tuition in anything. Something which i've never felt they owed me or been resentful of. Indeed if anything this helped push me into learning for myself, paying my own way.
We are now living in the information age, an age where information has never been so easily or freely available. I'm still learning today with the help of the internet and broadening my capabilities. I've current invested in a midi keyboard and with the aid of the internet, forums sites and especially things like youtube have been teaching myself to play and write music. Well some might not consider it music, but as a hobby, an alternative creative outlet, it keeps me happy.
So what was the point of all that?
Just to show that its never too late and although you may feel your creativity levels have dropped, they probably haven't. Heck your 22, its still time to enjoy yourself and not worry too much about a life-long profession (if you have no commitments). Neither have you wasted your 'talent' as you go to show that you've gained knowledge in several interesting areas, all of which will be very helpful for future endeavours.
Unfortunately your first post is poorly structured and anyone who starts to skip by what you've written will miss the fourth paragraph and simply assume you are lazy and blaming everyone else. Yet here you actually go to show that you are motivated and can learn by yourself. Hence some of the responses you've received.
As too your inner soul being destroyed by society, welcome to Life. I think thats just a natural realisation of going from childhood to adulthood ;)
