Ask Elsie & Emma: On Education

We recieve this question from young readers often. Today we're diving into the subject of education! We have different experiences and perspectives about this topic, and we hope that our stories will inspire you to follow your own path. Those early adult years can be so intimidating, but it can also be a great opportunity to learn and grow into the person you want to be!  

Elsie: I started college right after highschool when I was seventeen (I graduated a year early). I went for two years and then decided that I wasn't happy with the major I had chosen. At that point I was really excited about photography so I decided to take a break from college while deciding what major I was most interested in. At that point I was nineteen and I started my first business, a local photography business. I spent a few years developing my photography business and then started getting opportunities to work in the scrapbooking industry. I designed a product line and spent a few years traveling and teaching workshops. I enjoyed every opportunity and things happened very naturally in my early twenties. I'm not sure at what point I decided not to finish college. I don't think I ever conciously decided not to finish, I just kept getting exciting opportunities and one thing led to another. With that said, If I were doing it over with what I know now I would probably choose a business degree. I'm proud of the fact that I've developed a career without a college degree, but as you can see from my story it was more a matter or circumstance, than a choice to skip college. I wouldn't encourage anyone to skip college because it's a great opportunity! 

Emma: I also started college right after high school. I wasn't too excited about it at first, as I didn't really know what I wanted to study or what I really wanted to do for a job in the future. My parents encouraged me to go ahead and start college, even though I wasn't sure what I wanted to major in yet. I'm so glad I took their advice! I really enjoyed college, I studied Philosophy and received my Bachelor of Arts from Missouri State. I am currently working towards my Master's degree in business administration. My business classes have helped me be a better small business owner. I'm a good example of someone who learns best from education, through classroom settings and books. That type of learning style might not be for everyone, but it is certainly best for me and I would not have found that out had I not gone to college.

We get asked quite often for our advice about if someone should pursue college, or what they should major in. It's a pretty intimidating thing to get asked, as we could never know everyone's personal situation or what type of goals they might have for their life. That being said, here are our general tips for those who might be considering these types of questions.

Our education tips: 

-If you're not sure, go ahead and go to school. I (Emma) wasn't sure what I wanted to do after high school and my parents encouraged me to just start college and see where it went. Elsie and I are both so glad that we started college, because you learn so much more than just what your classes will teach you. College is a great time to grow as an individual, work on your people skills and learn to interact and work with people who are different from you. You may find after a semester or two that college isn't right for you, or a career opportunity comes your way; but you may also find that school gives you structure and a degree that you can use in the future.

-Try out different things until you find the right fit. I (Emma) had 3 or 4 different majors before I finally found the major I was most passionate about. Elsie owned an entirely different business (a photography business) before she ever started Red Velvet or this blog. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to find the perfect fit the first time, try a few things out and learn as you go.

-Listen to those who love you. It's silly to ignore the advice of those people who love you and know you best. Even if you don't end up taking their advice, you should listen and seriously consider it. I'm so glad I took my parents advice and went to college. 

-Do what you love but don't forget to consider the long-term. If you feel passionate about creative/artistic fields then you should definitely be learning new skills and techniques in those areas and pursuing that, BUT keep in mind that most creative professions are very competitive and can be low-paying. It's good to always have a backup plan or goal (sometimes your backup plan ends up being the thing you love most, you just don't know it yet!). Even if you are really passionate about baking it still might be a good idea to study accounting or business because you will need these skills to own a bakery. You never have to stop doing your passion just because you don't do it professionally. Some passions make great careers and some work better as hobbies. This is something you can decide over time. 

-Whatever you decide to do, work hard at it and never stop learning. It took a lot of years of hard work before Elsie and I were able to make our small business successful. We still work really hard, and are always learning new and better ways to do Red Velvet (that's why I'm still in school!). Just because you work hard doesn't necessarily mean that you will land every opportunity that you want in life, but if you don't give it your very best effort you are just cheating yourself. And remember, there are tons of resources out there that don't involve a classroom. So you have no excuse... keep learning!

Thanks for letting Elsie and I share our experiences and perspective with you. There really are so many different paths to a successful career. Happy learning! xo. emma and elsie

Comments

[Jaclyn]

Elsie and Emma,
thank you so much for having a post on education. This was very inspirational and helpful, as I am entering college in the fall. I agree on how we should all pursuit different things, until we find what really fits us.
Your posts are always inspirational and uplifting, so thank you again :)

[Hillery]

Great post ladies. I too went to school straight out of high school, but have been taking some time off to do some traveling. I hope to go back very soon and finish up my degree as it will definitely be an asset!

[Shannon]

Thanks so much for sharing this! I'm 21 and trying to figure out exactly what I want to do with my life. I'm passionate about so much, and it's hard to decide. That's what's so cool though, the possibilities are endless!

I really look up to both of you and admire everything you do. You've accomplished so much, and you're still so young. I love when you share about your past, leading to where you got today. It's so inspiring and seriously helpful.

Thank you both for being such positive role models and for giving me someone to look up to.

XO Shannon

[Kim]

Thank you so much for posting thing. I just recently changed my major (rather unwillingly) to a costume design major from a vocal performance major. This has been a very hard change for me and to read what you had to say about "sometimes your backup plan ends up being the thing you love most, you just don't know it yet!" is exactly what happened. With the toughest year i have ever had, having to accept that I will not be doing what I love anymore, thank you for posting this and giving me some hope that I might learn to love this. I really needed to read that.

[Ashley Urke]

These are wonderful tips! I think it is so easy to see creative people in the blog world and think things came so easy for them! But you are proof that hard work...and education are important aspects of a creative career!

[Natasha Fatah]

Great advice guys.

University was a great time for me, when I was exploring my passions like art history, anthropology, politics, philosophy and history. I also think if your university affords you an opportunity for a year to study abroad or exchange a semester with a student in another country - DO IT! It will change your life for the better and give you a much better sense of what you want to do with your life, and study because you'll know quickly who you are.

One year of living in Mexico City, change my life dramatically. The best year of my life!

xoxo
www.natashafatah.blogspot.com

[Moi]

This is so great! I won't be going to university for another three years (I'm only 15) but this definately gives me some things to think about :) What were you taking for those two years you went to university?

[teddi]

such words of wisdom. you both rock! :)

[Hannah Rose]

This is such a wonderful post! I have just started my first year at University straight after leaving school, and I was really worried beacuse I still don't know what I want to do as a career and I don't even know what my major is going to be, so I'm just doing a mix of subjects I enjoy, and a business degree which is a huge challenge since I never took that in school! This post has encouraged me so much to keep at it and see where it leads. Thank you :)

x Hannah Rose

[em]

this is such a cool post! I know I want to go to university when I grad, but I'm not TOTALLY sure what for, and this was very insightful! thanks!

[Sarah]

I think this is all great advice! I graduated with a BS in Legal Studies in 2004 & a masters in Public Administration in 2007. I'm now an administrator at a university. I don't really use my Legal degree directly, but there are certainly skills that I gained that I use all the time. Not to mention that those 4 years in college were some of the best of my life!!! :)

[call me debbie]

Great advices! I'm a student too, a biology one and science really suits me! I'am so happy to study on this subject! =)

(New blog needing some love and support: http://inwhirlofinspiration.blogspot.com)

[Mademoiselle Marie]

Thanks for sharing your personal stories - I'm currently in college and I really enjoy it although I wish I had more time to make stuff rather than just read textbooks. But I'm sure it pays off when I have my business degree and I can start my own business :)

[Kat]

I've been really lucky so far. I started college when I was 16, and I've stuck with my English major throughout. I did switch my minor from music to psychology (music theory is a killer--I know it sounds easy, but it's the freakin' hardest class I've ever taken!). I'm graduating next semester at 19. Phew!

I definitely agree--go even if you don't know what you want to major in. It's still an important experience!

[Sara]

great tips! i'm a senior this year, so this is perfect for me. thanks so much!!

http://saramadebeth.wordpress.com

[Chrissa (a tad bit creative)]

Excellent advice, Elsie and Emma!
And I agree that it's good to go to school even if you're not sure. I'm not directly working in the industries that I studied after high school but what I learnt is coming in handy in many unexpected ways!

atadbitcreative.com

[Katrina]

My two cents:
Go. To. School. If you don't know what you want to do, just start a liberal arts or business degree. That's what I did. And my second year, before I had actually gotten into business specific courses, I found nursing and fell in love. I really found myself in college.

xoxo - http://cachecloset.blogspot.com/

[Logan]

Thanks so much for the advice! I need all I can get:)

http://www.loganmakesamess.com/

[Bethany]

Industrial Design is a great career choice for someone who is creative! I really enjoyed my classes and there are TONS of career opportunities - although it is very competitive.

You take a lot of art classes, but ergonomics, manufacturing and materials classes too so you understand how products are made.

I ended up designing steel structures and site furnishings for playgrounds, city parks, amusements parks, places like that. I love it!

[Emily]

Wonderful post! I started out as a nursing major and knew that it just wasn't right for me, I had always wanted to work in fashion. I transferred to Textile and Apparel Management. Everyone thought I was completely stupid for giving up such a stable career in the medical field, but I knew it just wasn't what I wanted to do. I have been very successful in the Apparel business for over 10 years now and I love what I do! My biggest recommendation would be to always go to college! An education is something that no one can ever take away from you. But on the other hand, trust your instincts and follow your dreams. A little cheesy, yes, but if you do what you love, you'll be successful!!