#Best USA Study visa near me

[shivangitiwari]

The Best USA Study Visa Consultant in Jalandhar

Shree Shyam offers the best USA study visa consultancy in Jalandhar. Expert advice, personalized support, and a high success rate. Your gateway to studying in the USA

[ygmahesh123]

Study abroad consultants usa | StudyDad

At STUDYDAD, we understand the challenges and complexities involved in studying overseas Our team of experienced counselors is dedicated to providing personalized guidance and support to students throughout their entire journey

[karm-consultancy]

Study in Australia

Upgrade your professional journey by investing in further education. Our next intake is open now with a slew of exclusive benefits: 

📌Swift and complimentary Visa Processing 

📌Career-focused course selection from a network of Top Universities & Colleges 

For any questions or concerns regarding applications or the visa process, don't hesitate to connect with us at 9924543430. Our team of experts is ready to assist you.

[ibexconsultants]

Celebrating Achievements - The ibex Consultant in India Empowering Minds, Igniting Futures: Celebrating Achievements with ATMC's Support.

✉️Admissions@theibex.in

🌎theibexconsultants.com

📞+91 98176-98171

📍SCO 350, Mugal Canal, Karnal

[besteducationalconsultancy]

Study in USA Student Visa Facts & Information

When you dream to study overseas, it comes with a lot of challenges. Finding the right college, the application process, the GRE, and, most crucial of all, the student study VISA application.

If you are willing to apply for student visa usa, this guide is surely a boon for you!

Types of Student Visa

Many study abroad colleges offer different courses & the term varies for each of them. That’s why there are different visas for international students to fit their needs.

F-1 Student Visa: This is one of the most common types of US student visas. It is suitable for programs requiring more than 18 hours of attendance per week. This visa type includes both UG & PG programs.

J-1 Exchange Student Visa: The J-1 visa is preferable for students, scholars, and working professionals looking for a short-term program to study overseas in US. This visa best fits students visiting the US for exchange programs.

M-1 Vocational/ Non-Academic Visa: This particular type of visa is required for vocational programs and technical schools. This visa does not allow students to overstay in the US.

Cost of the Visa

TIP: Most students take some time before continuing their masters education after their undergraduate. If you’ve had a year’s gap post-undergraduate education & have done absolutely nothing in this period, make sure you’ve got sufficient reasons to tackle the questions during the interview.

USA Embassy & Consulates

The US student visa application for the F-1 visa is entirely online. To complete their USA student visa application, applicants must visit biometric and student US visa interview centres in India.

Here is a list of the US Embassy & Consulate addresses to complete the US student visa process for Indian students:

US Consulate General in Hyderabad, Paigah Palace, 1–8–323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003

US Embassy in New Delhi, Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021

US Consulate General in Mumbai, C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051

US Consulate General in Chennai, 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006

US Consulate General in Kolkata, 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071

Students are advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation, which requires that all initial or beginning students enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the course of study start or report date as shown on the Form I-20.

NOTE: Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S.

Interview Process

The US student visa interview is the last step of the US visa process for Indian students. Mostly, it’s all about you explaining in your interview why a particular university in the USA and course make sense to you. A positive interview response can help you get a student visa as soon as your interview ends!

The US student visa interview usually lasts for 4–5 minutes. At the time of your interview, have all of your US study abroad visa interview documents neatly catalogued in a file. Questions asked during the US visa interview usually focus on your intent of coming back and your awareness of your programme, university, finances, etc. If these questions are answered in a satisfactory manner, the consulate officer can approve your application. At the end of your interview, you can expect the visa officer to ask for your passport to get it stamped for a USA study visa!

CONCLUSION

The US visa process for Indian students can be simple & hassle-free, provided all documents and information are appropriate. Now that you have received your visa, march ahead and achieve your dreams! CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES & WEBSITE FOR MOE INFORMATION.

CONTACT US if you have study abroad plans waiting to be fulfilled.

[dgvisa]

[taibaholding916]

The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Abroad Consultancy Near Me

Are you dreaming of studying abroad but feeling overwhelmed by the process? Seeking guidance from a reputable "abroad consultancy near me" can be a game-changer. These consultancies specialize in helping students navigate the complexities of studying overseas, from choosing the right destination to completing visa applications. If you're ready to embark on this exciting journey, here are some essential tips to help you find the best abroad consultancy near you:

1. Research Local Consultancies

Start by researching consultancies in your area that specialize in international education. Use search engines or ask for recommendations from friends, teachers, or alumni who have studied abroad. Look for consultancies with a strong track record of successful placements and positive reviews from students.

Ensure the consultancy's services align with your needs. Some focus on specific countries or academic programs, so choose one that can cater to your preferences.

2. Check Accreditation and Experience

Verify the consultancy's credentials. Reputable agencies often have affiliations with professional bodies like ICEF (International Consultants for Education and Fairs) or NAFSA (Association of International Educators). Accreditation ensures that the consultancy adheres to ethical standards and provides reliable services.

Additionally, consider their experience. Established consultancies with years of experience are more likely to have a robust network of university partners and understand the intricacies of the application process.

3. Evaluate Services Offered

Look beyond basic advisory services. A comprehensive consultancy should assist you with every step of the process, including university selection, application guidance, visa support, and pre-departure orientation. They should also provide insights on scholarships, accommodation, and cultural integration.

Inquire about personalized services tailored to your academic background and career goals. A consultancy that offers mock interviews or resume reviews can significantly enhance your chances of acceptance.

4. Schedule Consultation Meetings

Arrange consultations with shortlisted consultancies. Use this opportunity to assess their professionalism and expertise. Prepare a list of questions regarding study destinations, application timelines, and costs.

During the meeting, gauge their responsiveness and willingness to address your concerns. A trustworthy consultancy will prioritize transparency and provide realistic expectations about your chances of admission.

5. Seek Student Testimonials

Request testimonials from previous clients or alumni who used the consultancy's services. Hearing firsthand experiences can offer valuable insights into the consultancy's effectiveness and client satisfaction. Pay attention to success stories related to your desired study destination or field of study.

Positive testimonials indicate that the consultancy has a proven track record of helping students achieve their academic aspirations abroad.

Conclusion

Choosing the right "abroad consultancy near me" is pivotal to your study abroad journey. By conducting thorough research, evaluating services, and seeking recommendations, you can identify a consultancy that aligns with your aspirations and supports you throughout the application process. Remember, studying abroad is an investment in your future, and a reputable consultancy can make this transformative experience smooth and rewarding.

Whether you're aiming for universities in the USA, UK, Australia, or elsewhere, a dedicated consultancy can simplify the complex process of studying abroad. Take the first step today by reaching out to local consultancies and embarking on an exciting educational adventure beyond borders!

[rkmigrationservices]

One Of The Most Trusted Immigration Consultants Near Me in Panchkula

We are one of the major consulting firm, supporting students and applicants who want to move overseas for further education or immigration to improve their future or quality of life.  We provide visa consultation for all countries like Canada,USA,Australia.

R.K Migration services is one of the best Immigration Consultants Near me in Panchkula We provide you the best consultants for visa services. We provide  visa services like spouse visa, study visa and work permit services across Panchkula. Get in touch with us to know about the visa services.

SCO 214, 2nd Floor, BEL Colony, Sector 14, Panchkula, Haryana 134109

08284850014

[graceintldelhi]

Grace International – study abroad consultants in Delhi, Janakpuri. Grace International fully supports students who want to study abroad. We are one of the best study abroad consultants in Delhi who provide student visas in different countries like Australia, Canada, UK, USA, Newzeland etc. Our team and my highly professional experts will guide you about visas, scholarships, education, and much more. Study abroad consultants near me, interested candidates are most welcome in our office nearby Janakpuri, New Delhi, India. We provide IELTS, PTE & TOEFL, coaching classes.

[linaluice12]

4 Ways to Identify the Best GRE Classes Near You

Students are always in a predicament, wondering, "Where can I find the best GRE classes near me?" a few months before they have to appear for the exam. The Graduate Record Examination is a vital admission requirement for many graduate schools in the USA and Canada. That's why most students don't take any risks and look for the best coaching centres in their vicinity.

The problem arises when you encounter multiple options, and you can't figure out which one is the best option to help you study in Canada or the USA. So, here are four identifying factors that can help you narrow down your choices.

Availability of reliable GRE trainers

When you want to study abroad, you will hire visa consultants who know the entire visa process like the back of their hands and not someone who isn't familiar with the process. Similarly, being good in English or Mathematics isn’t enough to be a reliable GRE training expert. The coach must have at least 10+ years of experience coaching students for their GRE, and their teaching methodology should be easy to follow.

GRE training session duration

Students wondering, "Can I find GRE classes near me that can help me complete my GRE preparation in a few days?" usually fall under the temptation of crash courses of one or two-week duration. The coaching centres offering such courses don’t cover every section in detail, and students end up wasting their time and money. Ideally, the course duration should spread out over a minimum of three months.

Student-trainer ratio in classes

When you hire visa assistance services, you’d naturally want the expert you hired to focus on your needs. Similarly, training centres where the student-trainer ratio is 10:1 or less is the most ideal since it allows the expert to focus on every student's needs.

Emphasis on mock test solving

Last but not least, you should check whether the coaching centre you choose conducts regular mock tests. There’s no better preparation than solving practice tests to become familiar with the exam process.

So, whenever you find a million results after searching, "What are the top GRE classes near me?" keep these suggestions in mind. Good luck with the future exam!

[digitalvision05]

Intstu Aspiration is a leading Study Abroad Consultancy in Surat. We help students to pursue their higher studies in various overseas countries such as USA, UK, & Canada.

[digitalvision]

Why does the UK remain the top priority for Indian students studying abroad?

The United Kingdom has long been a popular study destination for Indian students seeking to further their education at some of the world's top universities. If you want to study in the United Kingdom, this article will provide you with practically all of the information you need. Have a look at the essential information for anybody considering studying in the United Kingdom.

UK Student Visa Fees

UK Universities without IELTS

Living expenses in UK

UK Study Visa

UK Student Visa Fees

The United Kingdom has long been a popular study destination for Indian students seeking to further their education at some of the world's top universities. However, all international students who wish to study in the United Kingdom must obtain a student visa (Tier 4). This type of visa is only available to full-time university students looking for a degree in the UK, not to short-term or language students.

You must submit your student visa application online through the official Gov.UK website of the British government. You can apply for a student visa at least six months before the start of your course, and you will receive a decision within three working weeks under normal circumstances.

Types of UK Student Visa:

Short-term study visa: 6-11 months

Fees: 19,800 INR

Tier 4 student Visa-Isle of Man: Duration of the degree+ an additional month

Fees: 35,938 INR

UK Universities without IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the most widely used English language competence test for higher education and international migration worldwide. However, if you are a student who hasn't attempted the IELTS test, no need to worry; we have got you!

IELTS is considered one of the most important aspects of the university's admission application; nonetheless, some universities waive the IELTS requirements. International students who attended schools where English was the predominant language of teaching are eligible to apply to UK universities without taking the IELTS exam. Certain UK universities may additionally take applicants' X and XII English grades into account or conduct their own interviews to measure their language skills.

Criteria for Admission without IELTS

Proof of a high school English grade of at least 70% or a transcript of a short-term English course

Demonstrate that your school uses English as a medium of instruction.

Take part in a university-sponsored online interview.

A bachelor's degree in English

Before beginning your programme in the UK, enrol in a university-sponsored Pre-session English course.

Universities offering admissions without IELTS: (requirements may vary, please check the official website of the university)

University of Warwick

Robert Gordon University

Birmingham City University

University of Bristol

Swansea University

London South Bank University

Northumbria University

University of Bolton

University of Northampton

University of Central Lancashire

University of Plymouth

University of Portsmouth

Aston University

Living expenses in UK

One of the things you may be concerned about as an international student is the cost of living in the United Kingdom. Of course, there's the cost of tuition to consider, but there's also the cost of rent, utilities, food, and recreation to consider. The strong economy and great job prospects attract professionals from all over the world who see it as a land of opportunity for their financial advancement. However, the cost of living in the UK can be higher than in most other countries.

The cost of staying in the UK depends on the area you choose to stay in. If you decide to stay in London, you will have a huge sum to pay every month as London is considered one of the UK's most expensive parts.

The average weekly budget for a single student living in the United Kingdom, including rent, should be around £240.89 ($317.92 USD). They spend £795 per month on living expenditures on average. Here's presenting a list of some of the most popular expenditure categories:

£418 per month in rent

£100 per month for groceries

£46/month for going out

£46 per month for transportation

Household bills (like electricity and water) – £37/month

Council tax: £25/week on an average

The dream of every college student is to study abroad. Hundreds of abroad education counsellors have sprung up around the country as a result of the intricacy of the application process for foreign study. To help you make your decision, we've found Surat's best study abroad consultancy. International education has several benefits that Indian education does not have. Benefits of studying abroad include better teachers, exposure to different cultures, fantastic research opportunities, and a job market willing to hire you overseas. However, getting there isn't going to be easy. This is why many students turn to an international educational consultant for help. To help you make your decision, you can rely on Surat's best study abroad counsellor - IntStu Aspirations.

UK Study Visa

International students are advised to apply for a UK study visa six months before the commencement date of their program.

Eligibility Criteria for UK Study Visa

Acceptance of studies from a legitimate UK institution

Acceptable English language proficiency test scores such as IELTS

Financial proof, i.e., demonstrating enough money to support yourself and pay for your course

You will obtain a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) once you have been accepted to a university authorised by UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI)

Documents required for UK Study Visa

Passport information

Test results for tuberculosis

Certificate of a criminal record

Proof of financial sufficiency, demonstrating that you have the funds to cover your whole stay in the UK.

If you are under 18, letters from your parents or legal guardians are required.

Recent passport size photograph

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is the Home Office division in charge of the visa system in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 2013 from the section of the UK Border Agency that handled visas.

UKVI is responsible for managing the UK's visa service, handling approximately 3 million applications per year from overseas nationals wishing to visit, study, or work in the UK, and considering applications for British citizenship from overseas citizens wishing to settle here permanently. UKVI, in essence, decides who is permitted to visit and stay in the country. If you want to move to the UK, UKVI will make the final decision on your application.

[karm-consultancy]

Study in UK

Apply today for 2023 intake and avail the below benefits:

•Fast & Free Visa Processing

•Profile-oriented course selection

•Special attention for previously refused applications

www.karm.in/

Any queries regarding University applications or Visa Process kindly call us on 9924543430, we would be happy to solve your queries.

[educationabroadconsultants]

Study in Usa | Student Visa - Education Abroad Consultants

If you are searching Usa study visa consultants? Get in touch with Education Abroad Consultants for the right guidance regarding the best colleges and universities in Usa for your higher studies.

When it comes to higher education abroad, the USA tops the list of best countries around the world. The USA has the largest population of international students, and 4% of students enrolled in higher education are international students. The USA welcomes students with every interest starting from Engineering to Health and Hospitality to sports. American colleges and universities offer bachelor's and Master's programs to students in various study areas. http://www.educationabroadconsultants.com/study-in-united-states/

[sarita-daniele]

Hi, angel! Hope you're doing alright 💓 (hola ángel! También hablo español :) ) I was wondering if you could give some advices in starting out in an arts career?

Hola amigx, ¡perdón que nunca vi tu mensajito! I’m not on my Tumblr very often and definitely forget to check my messages. Luckily my favorite causita @luthienne told me you’d messaged me! 

I don’t know what arts discipline you’re in, so feel free to let me know if the advice I have doesn’t apply to you (and ignore it!). There are so many ways to build an arts career, but I’m happy to share some things I’ve learned through trial and error along the way. 

(Outrageously long post below break!)

Educate yourself in arts technique, but also study widely. 

Techniques are important in art, but only as important as the concepts behind them. When I was younger, I wowed people by drawing near-photographic portraits, but that technical talent and skill alone couldn’t make me a professional artist. Memorable artwork has not just a how, but a why. It isn’t just the object but the story behind the object, and the meaning of the object in the world. Art is about what interests you, what makes you think, what you most value and want to change in this world. So as you build an arts career, learn the techniques behind drawing, woodworking, casting, writing, music-making, whatever your discipline is, but take time, if you can, to also study history, sociology, anthropology, ecology, linguistics, politics, or whatever else you’re drawn to conceptually. Study as widely as you can. 

The studio art program I went through (a public university in the US) was very technique-forward; we signed up for classes according to technique, like printmaking or small metals, learned those techniques, completed technique-based assignments. Then I did a one-term exchange at arts university in the UK that was very concept-forward. We had no technical courses, just exhibition deadlines, and what mattered in critique was the concept. Both of these schools had their strengths and flaws, but what I learned was that, to be a practicing artist, I needed both technique and concepts that I genuinely cared about and could stand behind. If I could go back and change anything, I would probably take fewer studio courses (after graduating, I couldn’t afford access to a wood shop, metal shop, or expensive casting materials, and lost many of those skills) and more courses in sociology, Latin American studies, linguistics, ecology, anthropology, etc., because my artwork today centers on social justice, racial justice, Latinx stories and histories, educational access and justice, the politics of language, and community ethics. 

And please know that whenever I talk about seeking an education, I’m not talking solely about institutional spaces. College career tracks in the arts (BFA, MFA, etc., much less high-cost conservatory programs) are not accessible to everyone and aren’t the only way to establish an arts career. You can study technique and learn about the world using any educational space accessible to you: nonprofits that offer programming in your community, online resources, Continuing Education programs. And of course, self-education: read as much as you possibly can!

Know the value of your story. 

I come from a Cuban/Peruvian family and grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. My father’s family fled political violence surrounding the Cuban Revolution and came to the U.S. when he was a teenager. My mother was born in Brooklyn to Peruvian parents on work visas and moved back to Lima in her childhood. I grew up with these two cultures present and deeply embedded in our household, in our language, our food, our sense of humor, our sense of history. And yet, some residual assimilation trauma still affected me. I drifted towards the most American things, the whitest things, English authors and Irish music, in part because I enjoyed them but also because those were the things I saw valued in society. I wanted to fit in, wanted to be unique but not different, wanted to prove that I could navigate all spaces. The reality of marginalized identities in America is that our country tells us our identities are only valuable when they can be seen as exotic, while still kept inferior to the dominant, white American narrative (note that this “us” is a general statement, not meant to make assumptions about how you identify or what country you live in). 

But as an artist, all I have is my story, and who I am. I wasn’t willing to look at it directly. For years, I avoided doing so. It turns out, though, that I couldn’t actually begin my career until I reckoned with myself and learned to value everything about myself. To fully acknowledge my story, my history, my cultural reality, my sense of language, and my privileges. So I encourage young artists to look always inward, to ask questions about themselves, their families, and what made them who they are. 

The reason for doing this is to understand the source from which you make art.  Sometimes, however, for marginalized artists, the world warps this introspection into a trap, pigeonholing us into making art only “about” our identities, because that work is capital-I-Important to white audiences who want to tokenize our traumas. This is the white lens, and if anything, I try to understand myself as deeply as I can so that I can make art consciously for my community, not for that assumed white audience. 

Know that your career doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s, or like anything you’ve envisioned up to this point. 

As a high schooler I imagined that a life in the arts meant me in a studio, drawing and making, selling my work, getting exhibitions near and far, and gaining recognition. It was a solitary vision, one with a long history in the arts, rooted in the idea of individual genius. My career ended up completely different. Today, my arts projects involve teaching, collaborating, collecting interviews and oral histories, and creating public installations, rarely in traditional galleries or museums. 

As you work towards an arts career, figure out what does and doesn’t work for you: the kind of art you like and don’t like, the kinds of spaces that feel comfortable and those that don’t. I always thought I wanted to be part of traditional galleries, so I got a job working in a high-end art gallery in Boston during my grad program. Once in that space, however— even though I found the space calming and the work beautiful— I realized that there was something that I deeply disliked about the commodified art world. I didn’t like that we were selling art for over $10,000, that our exhibitions were geared exclusively towards collectors and wealthy art-buyers. The work was often technically masterful, but didn’t move or connect with me on a deeper level, and I realized that was because it wasn’t creating any change in the world. I liked work that shifted the needle, that made the world more inclusive and equitable, that centered marginalized stories (that gallery represented 90% white artists). I liked artwork that people made together, which drew me to collaborative art. I liked artwork that was accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy, which drew me to public art. I liked art exhibited in non-institutional spaces, which led me to community spaces. Since I was in an MFA for Creative Writing, I liked interdisciplinary art that engaged performance, technology, text, that was participatory and not just a 2D or 3D object. Figuring out all of these things led me to apply to my first major arts job: as a teaching artist in a community nonprofit that made art for social change in collaboration with local youth, in a predominantly Latinx neighborhood. 

My career path didn’t look like anything I expected, but I love it. The bulk of my income comes from teaching creative writing and art classes for nonprofits, working as a core member of a public arts nonprofit, and freelance consulting for book manuscripts. I love being an educator and consider it part of my creative practice. I love that I’m constantly collaborating with and talking to other artists. I love working with books and public art every day. I publish poetry, fiction, and literary translations, and exhibit artwork I’ve created in the studio and through funded opportunities. 

Fellow artists tell me often that I’m lucky, that my “day jobs” are all within the arts. But there are downsides to the way I’ve chosen to structure my career. I’m constantly balancing many projects, and my income is unstable. It’s difficult to save and plan towards the future,. I get by, but financial instability isn’t an option for many artists with families and dependents, with debts, medical expenses, and just isn’t the preferred lifestyle for a lot of people. I know artists who worked office jobs for years to support their practice and gain financial stability. I know artists who had entire careers as lawyers or accountants before becoming artists full time. I know artists who teach in public schools or work as substitute teachers. I know artists who are business owners and artists who work in policy and politics. I know artists who work in framing stores and shipping warehouses while being represented by galleries. These are all arts careers, and I admire every one of them. So as you build your career, don’t feel like it has to look like anyone’s else’s, like there’s anything you “should” be doing. Focus on the kind of artwork you want to make and what kind of work-life balance is best for you, then structure your career around that as best you can. 

Any job you use to support yourself can connect to an arts career!  

I get asked often by young people looking for jobs what kinds of jobs will best propel them towards an arts career. I believe that any kind of job can connect to and support an arts career, and I know that some suggestions out there in the arts world (like “get an unpaid internship at an art gallery!” or “become a studio apprentice to a well-known artist!”) assume a certain amount of privilege. So I want to break down how different kinds of jobs can connect to your art career: 

1) Jobs that allow for the flexibility and mental capacity to create. My friends who work restaurant jobs while going to auditions fall into this category. Who work as bartenders in evening so that they can be in the studio by day. Who dog-walk or babysit or nanny because the timing and flexibility allows for arts opportunities. My friends who are Lyft drivers or work in deliveries. These are often jobs outside of a creative field, but they can be beneficial because they don’t drain your creative batteries, so to speak. You still have your creative brain fully charged, and some jobs (like dog-walking) even allow for good mental processing (you can think through creative problems). As long as the job doesn’t drain you to the point where you have no energy at all, these kinds of jobs can be great because they allow time and space for your creative work. 

2) Jobs that place you in arts spaces, arts adjacent spaces, or spaces where you can learn about material/technique. My sculptor friends who work in hardware stores, quarries, foundries, or in construction. My printmaker friend who interned with graphic designers. My writer friends who work in bookstores and libraries, artists who work in art supply stores. My friend who worked with her dad’s painting company and got to improve her precision as a painter, which she then took back to the canvas. My teen students who get paid to work on murals or get stipend payments for making art at the nonprofit I work for. My filmmaker friends who worked on film crews. Friends who worked as theater ushers, in ticket sales, or as janitorial staff at museums. All of these jobs kept these artists adjacent to their artwork, whether through access to tools, materials, supplies, or books, through networking and conversations with other artists, or through skillsets that could enhance their art. 

3) Jobs that deeply engage another interest of yours, that bring you joy or can influence your work in other ways. If there’s a job that has nothing to do with your art but that you would love, do it! First, because I believe that the things we’re passionate about get integrated into our art, and second, because any job that gives you peace of mind and joy creates a positive base from which you can create. My friend who worked at a stable because she got to be around horses. My friends who worked at gyms or coaching sports because it kept them active. My friend who worked in a bike repair shop because he was obsessed with biking. An artist I knew who worked at the children’s science museum because she loved being around kids and planetariums. An artist who worked at a mineral store because rocks made her happy. If you have the opportunity, work doing things you like without worrying about whether it directly feeds your arts career.

Because believe it or not, all jobs you work can intersect in some way with your art. You’re creative— you find those connections! A Nobel-Prize winning poet helped his dad on the potato farm and wrote his best-known poem about it. Successful novelists have written about their time working in hair salons and convenience stores. A great printmaker I know who worked in a flower shop began weaving botanical forms and plant knowledge into her designs. The key in an arts career is to see all your experiences as valuable, to find ways that they can influence your art, and to be constantly thinking about and observing the world around you. 

As for me, I worked as a tennis instructor, a tennis court site supervisor, an academic advisor, an art gallery intern, and a coffee shop barista before and during my work in the arts!

Let go of objective measures of what it means to be good. 

I was always an academic overachiever. Top of my class, merit scholarships, science fair awards, AP credit overload, the whole thing. On the one hand, I grew up in a house where education was valued and celebrated, and my parents emphasized the importance of doing my best in school— not getting good grades, but working hard, doing my personal best, and reading and learning all I could. I loved school. I loved academics. And I’m not saying this to brag, but to lay the groundwork for something I struggled with in the arts.

It is jarring to be an academic overachiever and enter an arts career. I thrived off of objective value systems: study, work hard, get an A. If I worked hard and learned what I was supposed to learn, I earned recognition, validation, and opportunity. 

And then I entered the arts. The arts are entirely subjective. We hear it over and over— great artists get rejected hundreds of times, certain art forms require cutthroat competition, etc. —but it’s hard to understand the subjectivity of the art world (and the entrenched discrimination and commercial interests that affect who gets opportunities and who doesn’t) until you’re trying to live as an artist. That you can work hard on something, give all of your time and physical effort and mental and emotional energy to it, only to have it rejected. That what you think is good isn’t what another person thinks is good. That there is a magical alchemy in the act of creation that can’t be taught, or learned, but must be felt, and that you can be working to find that light while actively others try to extinguish it. That you can be good and work hard, yet still not get chosen for the awards, the exhibitions, the publications. If you chased being “the best” your whole life, you’re now in a world where there is no “best”, where greatness is subjective, where the idea of competitive greatness is actually detrimental to artists supporting each other, and where work that sells or connects to white, cishetero traditions is still the most valued. 

After struggling with this for a long time, I came to the conclusion that the most important thing to me now is making the art I want to make, the art only I can make, whether or not it fits what arts industries are looking for or what’s going to win awards. If I make art I believe in from a healthy mental and emotional place, doors will open, even if they aren’t the doors I expected. So try to let go of any sense that worth comes from external validation. Learn to accept critical feedback when it is given kindly, thoughtfully, and constructively. Surround yourself with friends and artists who who can talk to about your work, who build up your work and help you think through it rather than cutting you down. Don’t believe anyone in the arts world who thinks they get to be the arbiters of what’s “good” and who has “what it takes”. People have probably said things like that to the artists you most admire, and if they’d listened, you wouldn’t have experienced art that changed your life. 

Work to gain skills in basic business, marketing, and finances for artists. 

Many artists (at least where I am in the U.S.) go through an entire arts education without receiving resources or training in the financial side of the arts world. Your arts career will likely involve some degree of self-promotion and marketing, creating project budgets and grant proposals, artist statements and bios, sorting out taxes, and other economic elements. I can’t speak to other countries, but for artists in the U.S., taxes can be extremely complex. If you’re awarded a stipend, grant, fellowship, or employed for gigs or one-time projects, you’ll likely be taxed as an independent contractor and have to deduct your own taxes. Through residencies and exhibitions, you may pull income in multiple states and countries, which can also affect taxation. If you’re an artist who doesn’t have access to resources about finance and taxation in your arts program or who doesn’t independently have expertise in those fields, I recommend finding ways to educate yourself early: online resources, low cost courses, or even just taking your financially-savvy friends out for a coffee!

ANYWAY SORRY FOR THE LONG POST I HOPE SOMETHING IN THIS DIATRIBE WAS HELPFUL I HOPE THERE WEREN’T TOO MANY TYPOS AND I hope you have the most wonderful, fulfilling arts career! <3