I'm about to start college, but I've come to some obstacles! Help, please(read details)?

Question

I'm about to start ITT Tech for computer animation and game design, but I don't know if that's the way I need to go. I've wanted to be a computer animator since I was in the 5th grade, and it's been a dream of mine to work for one of the big Studios (Pixar, Dreamworks, Disney, etc.) But I don't have enough money to move to Florida, or wherever I can find one of these places. I would also love to do CGI sequences for video game developers, but I don't think Alabama offers anything there, either. I'm stuck! If I follow through with ITT, what are my job options? Am I missing something? Is there something here in Alabama that I can do that I'm not seeing? If I start ITT, and decide even after only a WEEK that I don't want to follow through, I will still have to pay the fee, which a LARGE amount of money. Help?

Answer 1

I am not familiar with this school, but most reputable colleges and universities allow you to withdraw with a full refund within the first 2 or 3 weeks, and many even let you quit halfway through the semester (or later) for a 50% refund. So I am a little concerned about the credibility of this school.

Going to an actual bricks-and-mortar school in your area is always a good option. Another is taking online courses from a "real" school like the University of Texas.  For one thing, local colleges usually don't offer courses if there are no job prospects.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who want to be animators, and very few jobs. Some schools offer courses and promise a lot, while delivering very little. So unless you're going to UCLA or a similar caliber school, your chances of working in the field are poor.

Having said that, it makes sense to decide what you want to do, get the training and then decide where you want to do it. A reputable school will have a placement office that helps graduates get jobs. Yes, after your education is all finished, you may find you'll receive a great job offer in Atlanta or Birmingham. But at that point, you'll be ready for it.  

Answer 2

Make sure you think very carefully about your decision.   Private schools like ITT often sell the career instead of the actual education.  I worked at an ITT competitor and the student was not always the top priority.  These schools are corporate companies who are in the game for profit. They are also very expensive! You many want to start with a more general computer degree to give you more career options in your area then specialize later in computer animation.  Also ask ITT if they offer career placement and ask to see placement rates, sites of placement. Make sure you talk to companies that have hired students and talk to graduates of the program.

If you start taking general classes at a local community college you would save much money and would have more time to make a final decision on your career path while you are completing your generals.

Answer 3

ITT is not a college, it's a proprietary school that charges as much as or more than any college.

If you can back out of ITT, I would. You'd be better off at a community college, if money is an issue. You could take the computer animation and game courses but you'd be taking other courses as well. It would be a 2-year associate's degree, and you could change your direction partway through without a problem.

I say if you've wanted computer animation for so long, go with it. Make sure you also take programming classes, so you can fall back on them if you need to. They will certainly make you more marketable even as an animator.

It's true that Alabama isn't a big IT center. But Huntsville has the space center, and they surely use computer simluations, which require animation and game development. Birmingham has a medical center with at least one medical device company there, so there may well be a small job market for medical simulations and games there. Other places may have opportunities at the local TV stations, etc.

Atlanta is only 2 hours away by car, and there is a ton of IT there. As far as that goes, Florida isn't that far a drive, either.

How hard will it be to move anywhere at all when you graduate? Most students don't have a lot of stuff to take with them. For areas you can drive to, rent a U-Haul and get a few friends to help. For somewhere else, pack a couple of suitcases and fly out. You can usually get an apartment if you have proof that you're starting a job.

In any case, you have plenty of time to research potential companies to work for.

ITT probably claims they will help you get a job after graduation. Call them and ask what companies there are for animation jobs in Alabama. Ask where they have placed graduates in animation jobs. Ask how many. One thing this will do is give you info you can take with you. Another thing it will do is help you decide whether to go to ITT or back out. If they hedge about placement info, back right out.

Answer 4

I think that these jobs are the type that IF you can actually find a job, you will have to move to it, unless there is a place near you.

If you cannot move, I would SERIOUSLY consider it. These tech schools can cost so much money and then people graduate and cannot find work. Every time I see the commercials on tv, I cringe, because I know some of them are such hype and lies, really. I would love to see a study on how many people actually find jobs in some of these fields and what they pay. My mom's friend is going to one that costs 15,000 dollars. I am taking the same course at a community college, that is actually MUCH better, and it costs less than 5,000.

I would think this over and if you really think you will not be able to move, you need to find out if there are even jobs in your area.

GOOD LUCK!