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Stripping as a Profession
I knew I wanted to be a stripper from the time I was very young and now I am doing it two nights a week and LOVING it. I am also trying to manage 15 hours at a big University, raise my seven month old, AND work a fastfood job to keep up appearances, (so friends and family don't know I strip).
I am overwhelmed and feel like I am racking up debt with student loans and wasting my time in college. Can mothers, college students, and especially career strippers out their lend me some advice. I am thinking about quitting school and stripping full time for several years (like 5 to 10) until I figure out what I want to do. Any wisdom is welcomed!
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
Wow--you have a lot on your plate! Is it possible to cut down on the amount of classes you are taking in one semester? Cutting down on your classes may help. I would just do the general ed classes and get those out of the way, and I would only take a couple of the classes per week, so that the hours would get cut down. You can take the general classes at a community college (make sure they are transferable to a university), and then transfer to a university later on. By that time, you may already know what you want to do. Taking classes at a good community college is cheaper than at a university (by the way--congrats on getting into one!). If you are making good money stripping, keep the job. Are you living on your own? If you are, then maybe you could just strip and dump the other job, although I don't know what you should tell your family! I always told my dad that I just worked at a bar. He knows now that I used to strip, and of course he was not happy, but I asked him "Were you helping me?" No, he wasn't, so it was not his place to tell me what I could or could not do. The job payed my bills, put a roof over my head, and hey, it's not illegal or anything! So anyway, I'd keep the stripping job--just don't fall into the same things that a lot of strippers fall into, and don't make it your lifetime career unless you have gone to school and gotten some kind of degree to fall back on, you know, just in case. Don't put too much on your plate, mama, or you will go nuts! Good luck, sweety!
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
Hun, dont quit school for dancing. If anything, I say to quit the fast food place, and continue in school and stripping. Then tell your family that you are doing work study (you work in school and they help with the cost) That way no friends or family HAVE to see you.
Just dont quit school over dancing, you will regret it later....
:)
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
Excellent advice, Exotica. :thumbsup:
MotherDaisy,
Wow.. You are doing too much at once, hon. LOL.. I've been there, and burn-out was my result. From your post, I get the impression that college is very unfulfilling for you. On the other hand, it's good to have something to fall back on for when you want to retire from dancing.
Stripping full-time isn't a bad thing, but it's also not a permanent thing. At least not for me, and many others that I know.
You didn't mention if there was a boyfriend/husband in the picture?
Overall hon, you need to do what is best for you. Please don't burn yourself out. I have a husband to help lessen my load at home with our baby, but that's not always been the case. It's very diffcult when you're on the other side of that.
I have to give you credit for doing all these things, as I said, I've been there, and it's not easy at all.
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My advice is this: DO NOT QUIT SCHOOL!! I dropped out of college as I was trying to get my masters. I did it because, I was trying to raise my daughter alone, go to school and the bills were stacking up. Now, the bills are paid because I could work more hours, but universities dont like "vacations" from your education. So where am I? Im a 27 year old stripper with thousands of dollars of student loans and an unfinished degree, which is useless.
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
I wouldn't quit school right away - I would quit the damn fast food job! That way you can work less and have more time for school and your child. There are plenty of cover stories you can maintain for your family without having to bust your ass for minimum wage (I'm assuming this job doesn't come with any benefits that you need, like health insurance or childcare).
However, if you do decide to dance full time, treat it as a profession, and save your money.
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
I know you only asked for the ladies advice but... I wouldn't quit school. I have seen far too many dancers who quit school then a few years down the road were kicking themselves over the decision.I agree with the work study idea,if asked.
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
Don't quit school. Quit McDonalds. Many girls strip to pay for school. If you feel the need to explain how you're getting money if you're not working, say you got another loan (or grant, scholarship, hell say you get a bi weekly stipend)
15 hours is a full load. Is it too late to drop maybe one class (and still maintain f/t status?) Next semester I wouldn't take more than 12 if I were you.
I feel your pain. I'm single, get to bed around 3, get up at 7 to get her ready for school, back to bed at 8, up again by 10 for class. :juggle:
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
I agree with all the posters..DO NOT QUIT school. I am actually working on my second degree. I have inspired a few of my "dancer' friends to also return to school. I went to a big university in California. Its very hard to get into top notch colleges/universities..If you dump the fast food job, you'll have more time to devote to your child and your studies.
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i will add to everyone opinion...do not quit school! i am also a single mom and in school, and still i dance. i agree that you should quit the fast food job. it will eventually stress you out to keep that job, since it is only to keep the family from asking questions. seriously, you should just say you were hired by the school for a work study program.
when i actually did have work study, i could choose to have the money go towards my tuition or just keep the cash. so that could explain how you have cash. and if you need to justify working at night, you can say you are doing something for campus police (a 24 hour position, like office dispatch) or that you work in the student union (ours was open for quite a while at night)...or that you work in the 24 hour computer lab as an assistant to the students. that way maybe you could find quality care for your child if they think you are at "work study". also, a lot of schools have grant money for students that are single parents. maybe you should check into that...or even just tell your parents that you were awarded that grant...so you can just work the work study in their eyes.
please do not quit school. it was hard for me to graduate with my son...but it is possible. just think how proud your child will be when they realize you finished school while you had them. i am now in grad school, and my son is my inspiration to stay in school. i would never want him to think i didn't follow my dreams...and all that cheesy stuff. :) also, it will get easier. it was pretty rough for me up until he was a year old. then for some reason, it became a bit easier to juggle everything.
please do not stop going to school, you will kick yourself later for it. i do think you should take an afternoon to go to the financial aid office. ask them to see a list of every grant and scholarship available. my school had a book listed, with the requirements list too. go through everyone of them, and apply for everything. make sure the FAO sees you making this effort to stay in school. even bring your kid with you. the school doesn't want anyone to drop out. if they see you making this huge effort and that you have a child...they will find the money for you to stay. this happened to me, and i marched right up to the FAO and found money for me to stay in school. if the school knows your name and face...they will be more likely to help you. if you stay a number to them, they might not be so helpful.
i hope things work out for you!
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I strip to get more education! Never quit school. Quit dancing one day. That is how it "really" works.
Good luck to you,
Pamela
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
I have to agree with what everyone says-DON'T QUIT SCHOOL!!! :graduate: Quit the fast food job instead. You can't dance forever, and the girls I know who have been dancing for five or more years say that the money is not what it used to be, and it's only likely to get worse, not better. There is an increase in girls who want to start dancing and an increase in guys who come to the clubs looking for more than a lap dance (and some girls are willing to give it to them, thus hurting the other girls' money.)
Stripping is not an easy job, and when you're done, you'll want to have something to show for it. An education is one of the best investments that you can make.
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
Quote:
Originally Posted by blondhottie link=board=27;threadid=6537;start=msg72573#msg7257 3 date=1076525212
I have to agree with what everyone says-DON'T QUIT SCHOOL!!! :graduate: Quit the fast food job instead. You can't dance forever, and the girls I know who have been dancing for five or more years say that the money is not what it used to be, and it's only likely to get worse, not better. There is an increase in girls who want to start dancing and an increase in guys who come to the clubs looking for more than a lap dance (and some girls are willing to give it to them, thus hurting the other girls' money.)
Stripping is not an easy job, and when you're done, you'll want to have something to show for it. An education is one of the best investments that you can make.
WELL put. You absolutely need something to fall back on, MotherDaisy. I agree with the others, stay in school, finish up your education. Dump the fast-food job. You can always come up with something to tell your friends and family that will allow you to dance without having to tell them that you're doing it.
As I said in my first post on this thread, Stripping doesn't last forever. You need to make plans for when you stop.
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
I'm going to offer a contrary opinion. But this would only apply if you are the type of person who can exercise iron-handed self discipline, because without that sort of discipline this can be a formula for disaster. With that said ...
Fact #1 - professional sports players and strippers have a couple of things in common. They both are in highest demand when they are young, and as they get older it gets tougher and tougher to "cut it" due to competition from new blood. They also both have an extremely high earnings potential in their early 20's age wise, which drops off rapidly after age 30 (with notable exceptions).
#2 - the skilled job market in the USA is in a period of very rapid change. Many tech jobs which provided tremendous opportunity and high pay 5 years ago are now being done in Bangalore India, while US citizens who used to do these tech jobs are collecting unemployment or selling computers at Staples. Additionally, technology itself is also changing very fast such that many college tech courses offered today are 1-2 years behind cutting edge and may be rather irrelevant 5-10 years down the road.
Where I'm headed here is that if you really have the discipline to follow a multi-year plan, it would be financially beneficial to quit flipping burgers, to quit school, and to concentrate on dancing full time. If you have the iron-willed self discipline to save and invest the money you earn, after several years you will have saved up enough money to pay for your college tuition in cash, plus own your own home, own a good car, be debt free, and still have money left over. At that point you can return to college to take up to date courses towards a degree that will actually be in demand 5-10 years from now without burying yourself in additional debt, and make the transition to a "straight" career.
I also agree with the other posters that the Strip Club industry is gradually declining, and in some cities the situation has deteriorated to the point where dancing is no longer a financially worthwhile pursuit (assuming of course that you're not willing to provide sex for money). However, this also means that you'll probably be able to earn more this year than you could next year !
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I would definately quit the fast food job. I don't know how much you are AVERAGING per night dancing, but personally wasting time working at a dead end minimum wage job just to keep family and friends approving of you is useless. If they don't accept your dancing so be it. You've got to take care of #1 first.
If it were me after I quit the fast food job, I would start dancing 4 days a week, complete this semester of 15 units in school, and then start taking 12 units from next fall on.
What is your major? How many more units do you need to graduate? I would not quit school as once you do it is hard to go back and most likely you will never get your degree. Just having a degree opens doors in life, it's another notch in your belt.
Two more days of dancing per week even if slow will earn you more than 2 days in the burger (or chicken) joint.
The bottom line is all that matters. And if you learn to become a good salesperson in the club and learn to invest/save 30% of what you make per night, in 5 years where will you be. Granted the strip club business is declining, but still has waaay more to offer than McPopeyes. ;)
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
Very nice Tina, very nice..
Farrah
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Does your school offer on line/internet classes ?
If they do you should look into taking a few of your classes on line next semester. I currently take all of my classes on line. I am still able to attend classes while I am on the road which is great !
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Please Don't quit school girl! :graduate: Get that diploma! Definetly quit the fast food job. And good job on the University, that's something to be proud of! :cutie:
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Wow, seeing all of these responses makes me want to cry. Thank You for all the advice, I am definetely rethinking my plan from this point on!! I am new to stripper web and NEVER could have expected this much help. This question was my first posting ever!! I have discussed my life situation with many people, even professionals, but this is BY FAR the best advice anyone has given me. I can tell I will be addicted to stripper web from now on. Thanks again. You are all inspiring, strong women.
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
You're welcome girl !!
This place makes me want to cry sometimes too!!
Just please stay focused and also look into those internet classes.
They are a lot more flexible then having to sit in class. Plus you can participate anytime you feel like it.
Bye for now..
Farrah
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Your so very Welcome Mother Daisy. ;D Stripper Web Kicks Ass. :grouphug: Just watch out- you'll be a SW addict if your not careful! :cutie:
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I am a single mom, have a Masters Degree in English, have been working in high tech & just started stripping on weekends. From my POV I think Melonie's contrary (but savvy) view is worth paying attention to.
I really think the key here is figuring out what do you want. Okay it sounds easy but often it isn't, especially if you were raised like me, being told what to want, not listening to your own heart. Listen to your heart!
Me, I want to be an artist, but was told to want college and a nice white collar career. So I was a good girl, completed college, grad school, and ended up hating my field (teaching English). I wanted to be a writer.
Now it's all about how do I keep a roof over my head, keep food, go to the doctor as needed, and still do my art. That's my challenge. I feel like I could have gotten started earlier if I'd listened to my heart and not to other people.
I do agree about trying get out of that fast food, cause you can't be making much more than minimum wage. Is it really worth it to you to leave your child for what you're making there? Me, I'd say "HELL NO!" YMMV.
I really feel that in this economy you can't sit on your laurels... you need to learn a trade, or two, or three!
But you really really need to know what you want. You say you want to be a stripper. Well, maybe you've found your path for now. Maybe you can spin something off that later... sew stripper clothes... start a stripper website... become a stripper therapist... a performance artist... the list goes on. :)
Don't quit college... a lot of times you can take a years leave... I've done that... found I wanted to go back when the year was up.
Kat
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
Welcome to SW Mother Daisy!
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Re:Stripping as a Profession
I have gotten the full amount offered for grants and loans, but the community I live in is extremely expensive and I am STILL trying to get some child support. I love the online class idea and I will be dumping the fast food gig even though it is fun. I will be staying at my university for a while. Growing up in this town, I think I have taken the big university experience for granted. Your comments have make me realize how important an education is. I think things will get easier as my son gets older and I figure out what I want to major in. Its nice to hear that other people have dealt with the same issues and lived through it all.
Plus I just aced a math test and am feeling on top of the world!! I will just take it one day at a time.
Thanks
I have always wanted to be a massage therapist. Maybe I will pursue that after I get a degree.