There’s a lot of talk regarding what IYusef (love talking about myself in the third) should be doing. Guys, I hear you but trust me it is not an easy choice to have a resume full of titles and qualifications and choose to live on a hospitality wage. See it as you may, education is important to me and I will not advance at a steady rate if it weren’t for my little sacrifices. And sacrifices they are. I make about thirty thousand less than before and work over 50 hours a week. I do all this while maintaining a full time school schedule and a commendable GPA. If even for a second you consider that I am taking an easy way out perhaps a second look from a different perspective might be at hand.
I got laid off a week ago but can say that during the middle of midterms and best-left-unmentioned stresses that I found a new job which I started today. It is not much but it affords me the right to hold my head up. It’s is a waiter position but who knows perhaps the prospect of advancement or something better is around the corner. The best part is the location and proximity to my campus.
My school will be hosting scholarship workshops on the 1st for the top percentile. My invitation arrived a week ago. I have qualified for several scholarships, including a fully paid trip to Austria in the spring and my Photography teacher is writing a proposal to take a group of students (me included) to Paris for a few weeks in the summer. I am rather excited about the prospect of getting to go to Europe on school funds and look forward to reaping the benefits of my hard work next semester when God willing tuition will be near free.
Regarding my putting the photography to use, I actually had an interview with a Japanese magazine in Tokyo. I wasn’t ready to say anything as of yet, but perhaps now wouldn’t be a bad time. They agreed to hire me as a freelance writer and editorial photographer. My first assignment runs from the 2-4th of November. I will be covering the New York Photo Plus Expo at the Jacob Javitz Center and making a gazillion contacts whiled at it. The money will be o.k. nothing worth bragging about but it’s been less than two years since I saved up enough for my first camera and here I am with my very first press pass.
The ride ruff but I’m working hard to make it smoother. So, why not give a brother a break?
Hey Yusef, u & I r the same age (I think I got u by a month) & I feel like I understand what u r going through (to some extent).
I too got laid off from a job I was earning $62,400 per year plus overtime in a white collar professional setting. My resume is riddled with big titles etc.
Then the only job I could find paid $27K per year, and I had to quit that job because it left no time for school.
I took low paying jobs on campus to finish my bachelors degree this year.
I am on only a break from school because I am planning to attend law school in the near future.
I had many people telling me all these things that I should do, most of it was well meant but ultimately didn't take into consideration how important school was to me.
Additionally, my education not only gave me something that couldn't be taken away - knowlege, but also was a stepping stone to making more money and enjoying the life as I should.
I am glad that you are sticking to it, and doing it well with a high GPA and scholarships while integrating your talent for photography in a way that will also make you money.
So yeah Yusef, you deserve a break. And Stick to it 'cause there is a "pot of gold" waiting for you, and you'll have the skills and knowledge to know what to do with it.
Yusef... don't justify yourself to the world...
what you doing is amazing... all the documnetation of yourself....which such much honesty and projection...you are a truly artist... a real individual...a genius. f..k them off... you are preparing yourself to be a superstar... and thats the way...
I am on your side pa.
KEEP UR HEAD UP PAPO!! ITZ NOT EASY FOR NONE OF US!! GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT!!!I MOST DEF. RELATE~~,.NaJI
Ruben,
Thank you for the comment. Coming from a super duper photographer like yourself, that means a lot. Cuidate
Naji,
Siempre pa' lante
Hey Yusef:
sorry if you felt like I was tellingyou what to do..
But, you make some very valid points that im taking to heart.
It's been a struggle on my end but you do have to step back and prioritize what is most important for you.
For you, it's school..for me, its writing and finding peace of mind for me.
I think people giving you advice mean well, but at the end of the day, only you know what's best and right for you. :)
And, I think you clearly know what that is.
So where do you work? Let me know so I can stop by and say hello :)