r/Algonquin_College

Hello!
I’m a 25 year old student at Algonquin College, I’m currently in my 2nd year of the Graphic Design program. I’ve been obsessively looking at information regarding whether I’d be able to have a fulfilling Graphic Design career that pays the bills, and have seen nothing but negative talk about how Graphic Design is undervalued and that it’s extremely hard to get a job in it.

I’ve started looking to switch programs to something else, but I have zero idea what I’d like to do as a job for the rest of my life. Before Graphic Design, I studied Biochemistry in Carleton because I really wanted to get into Forensic Science, since that was the only other thing I was interested in. I could barely keep up with all the assignments, got extremely anxious and depressed, and dropped out. I’m not that good at science and math, so I decided to pivot to the Graphic Design program at Algonquin since I’m an artist as well. I initially applied for IMD at Carleton, and when I learned it was more so coding and video game design, I switched over to Graphic Design instead.

But now I’m having serious doubts, and don’t want to be a 50 year old Graphic Designer who’s under appreciated, under respected, and unable to find another job. I’m terrified of aging out of the business, which is something else I constantly hear about the Graphic Design world. I’m planning on either switching from Graphic Design to another program, or finishing and getting my diploma AND THEN studying for another degree. The issue is I have zero idea if I should just switch without completing the program, if the program is a waste of time, or if I should finish it, and WHAT I should study next. I keep trying to reach out to people for help but I keep getting ignored and brushed aside, and I am absolutely blank on what to do to start figuring out what I want to do with my life.

To be totally honest too, I’m terrified my career as I know it is already over before it even started. I’ve always struggled with math and science in highschool, and hated taking it in university. All I am is creative and artistic, I can’t do anything else. Ever since I graduated highschool I’ve been trying so hard to figure out what my career should be, and years later I still have no answer. I’m also terrified of the prospects of getting a job that isn’t a doctor or nurse in this economy because from what I’ve seen, it’s practically impossible to get a job in Canada nowadays. Anyone else struggling to figure things out too? Any advice? Thanks!