#jadajdoodles

[bigbigtruck]

Hi EK!!

I was wondering if I could possibly get your advice on something. You absolutely don't have to answer this. It's A LOT.

So, I'm an undergrad senior who's about to graduate from university, and I want to make comics professionally. I'm really on the fence about getting an MFA in Sequential Art. Shit's EXPENSIVE, but I'm really looking for community and networking opportunities and I know cons exist, but im not sure I'll get the same kind of connections with other artists I would than if I went back to school.

Do you believe that it's possible to have a successful career in comics without getting a degree in comics?

Thanks for your time!

vvvrrrrmmmmmm [quickly taking to the air in a little Cessna with a banner that reads:]

Comics is a low-paying, physically punishing job with no security. PLEASE DON'T GO DEEP INTO DEBT TO LEARN COMICS.

Learning by diving in and doing it, getting your hands in the muck, with guidance from texts like Understanding Comics or a series of remote or online classes, is a way more affordable option.

The Cartoonists' Co-Op is working on gathering resources for comic artists, and is definitely worth looking into: http://cartoonist.coop

And... that's as far as I'm qualified to answer, I'm a little embarrassed to say.

So opening this up: I know some folks who follow me on here are genuinely successful and / or have done advanced education in comics. What are your experiences? If you're successful, how did you get where you are, and how did education figure into that?