Need advice about career and degree

[Tom Edgerton]

Matthew--

My two cents:

Given that you want to do either medical illustration or teach, I'd finish the degree. Otherwise, if you want to be a fine artist without the special disciplines attached, leave and study more specifically in the academies, ateliers, and workshops, with those who teach what you want.

Medical illustration will require the ancillary stuff in the sciences. You may need to get a partial medical degree...some later grad work will definitely be in order (I investigated it at one time). Johns Hopkins and Medical College of Georgia used to have grad programs in it, but I don't know if they still do. Also, while you're there at the university, I'd take some business or entrepreneurship courses, and related technical courses like photography, media and IT. The advantage of a university is that there's a lot in one place, however watered down a given course might be.

If you expect to teach at the university level, you'll have to have the degrees. Community colleges are another story in some cases, but if they mirror our system, the pay is lousy.

Also, if something in you has to have a college degree to satisfy some psychological need or inner urge, that's a legitimate reason. But don't give this more attention or credence than it demands. For those who visit this forum who feel wistful that you never got a university art degree, don't spend a second looking back and pining. It speaks so little to what I do now, it was hardly worth it. In hindsight, I'd have taken another path if I knew I'd end up here.

While everyone might not agree on its value, though, you ARE halfway to the degree, and you don't have a clear picture yet of your future needs. When undecided, I often revert to "Better to have and not need, than need and not have." It'll be harder to double back and get it later.

Best of luck--TE