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Thread: career stripping vs. finishing college

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    Default career stripping vs. finishing college

    I am almost done with my BFA in Fashion Merchandising, it would be in December. I have known for a while that I 99% likely will not be using that degree in the near future, if ever. Working for somebody else is just not for me and I'd much rather be a career stripper for a while and save a lot of money, invest it and eventually open a business, leading to more businesses.

    This has always been my dream, it just seemed like a smart idea to finish college. Now I have 6 months of school left, for which the tuition would be around $13,000. (I know, insane!!) It just doesn't seem worth the investment to me and I'd rather invest that money otherwise, while being able to spend more time making more money.

    The only reason why I think I should finish my degree is because I'm already so close.. I really feel like nobody can give me better advice than you ladies..

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Finish your degree.
    Do what ever your heart desires after.

    You are in the home-stretch. Don't worry, time will fly by much more quickly than you expect.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay12 View Post
    ^What Sophia said.
    Quote Originally Posted by yoda57us View Post
    I wish there was an "auto-like" setting that I could just have applied to all of your posts Sophia....

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    You guys are so right! I guess it's just killing me that it's so expensive and has been keeping me from making as much as I could...

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    BOTM said it perfectly. In the short term, you're thinking "I don't wanna waste 13k on finishing a degree I won't use." But looking at the bigger picture, if you didn't finish it, you would have actually wasted how many thousands of dollars not finishing a degree that might still benefit you in the future. If you were going to say "screw this degree," the time to do it would've been 3 and a half/3/even 2 years ago before you invested all the time and money into it. You're almost there, so don't waste all that previous money by making the investment worthless. 6 months will fly by, and then you can do whatever you want. You will probably find that when you want to go into business for yourself, that degree will still be useful, especially for, as BOTM said, networking with other professionals. How much would it suck to want to retire from dancing and realize that you need to back to school just because you didn't tough it out for more measly semester?
    Don't try to win over the haters. You are not the Jerk Whisperer.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    The "credibility factor" of being able to say in conversation that "I have a degree in x" (vs "I *almost* got a degree in x... I was really close... I was only 16 credits short, I swear..") is worth $13k and 6 more months of your time, IMO.

    Even if you never use this degree in your life, the mere fact of being "a degree-holding college graduate" has significant social usefulness. My advice would be different if you were only 1 year in, or just considering STARTING a useless colle degree-- but you are SO CLOSE to being done.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Having a bachelors (I'm assuming that's the B in BFA) in anything is a great asset. Your future is long and bright, I guarantee it will come in handy someday.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    You guys are right. I guess I'm just extremely stressed out by trying to juggle both. And yes, it's a bachelor

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Yeah...just go for it and finish your degree...I have a bachelors, and I have yet to use it...and I most likely won't in the near future, but I'm proud of myself for attaining that goal, and I know you'll feel the same way.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    You only have 6 months left. You'll only have to be stressed for 6 more months and you're done

    If you dropped out now you will have wasted all that money and hard work you've been doing the last few years.

    I have a degree in Accounting I'll never use but at least I have something on my belt just in case.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Tough it out for the six months. It's so little time in the grand scheme of things, and then you'll have a degree that you will have forever. Even if you never use it, it's there, giving you options.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    yup the 'tipping factor' is the fact that you have already devoted 3+ years and tens of thousands of dollars towards pursuing a degree ... and that 3+ years and tens of thousand of dollars won't 'pay off' at all unless you invest another 1/2 year and $13,000. This is a no-brainer.

    However, for someone else just starting out, given current US economic / job market conditions, I would strongly recommend foregoing the 4 years of effort and tens of thousands of dollars in tuition cost in favor of pursuing serious professional exotic dancing as a full time effort. It's an inescapable fact that exotic dancers, like professional athletes, face a relatively short 'window of opportunity' during which they can maximize their earnings potential. It's also a fact that a college degree completed at age 35 or whatever is MORE valuable to employers than a college degree completed at age 25 but not used for 10 years.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    thanks for the good advice. I love that it's unanimous so I feel better about toughing it out. Also, I do enjoy learning what they teach us and I know that the knowledge will be beneficial, even if I don't actually seek a job. (which I'm sure I won't, I'd be miserable)

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    A degree is difficult to get for the reasons you're thinking of quitting. Obtaining your degree says that you stayed with your goal even though you sometimes wondered whether it was worth it or not. It says that you passed up current opportunities to get to the finish line.

    I received my diploma a few years ago, and don't use it. I felt the same way-I was almost done with school and took several breaks which dragged out the process. My family came to my graduation and was so proud that I FINALLY finished. It was worth it in the end. Dancing paid for most of the expenses and my student loans are almost paid off.

    Good luck-you are so close!

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Even if you don't use your degree always give yourself options. Life can be unpredictable! If something happend that took away your ability to dance you would have a real plan B line up with a degree versus facing the job market without one!
    Nothing taste as good as thin feels- Kate Moss [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Quote Originally Posted by Melonie View Post

    However, for someone else just starting out, given current US economic / job market conditions, I would strongly recommend foregoing the 4 years of effort and tens of thousands of dollars in tuition cost in favor of pursuing serious professional exotic dancing as a full time effort. It's an inescapable fact that exotic dancers, like professional athletes, face a relatively short 'window of opportunity' during which they can maximize their earnings potential. It's also a fact that a college degree completed at age 35 or whatever is MORE valuable to employers than a college degree completed at age 25 but not used for 10 years.
    I can't help but always respond to this position, with all due respect Melonie! You are speaking as the 1% or less who could do this job for a long time (over four years) and be relatively happy while doing it. In my understanding, you also primarily danced during the golden ages of stripping, so your perspective is skewed.

    This board is FULL of women who thought they could do this job as a career and burned out, or who knew they couldn't do it and burned out, or who are totally burned out and hating the job yet are still doing it for various reasons. Your advice is brilliant for the 1% and potentially devastating for the rest of us. That's a huge bet to place on a hand that will likely lose. Not many people would be happy spending their 20s in dark clubs fending off groping male hands, even if they do manage to do their 10+ years of stripping and retire at 35-40.

    Even for those who realize they can't strip as a career and so go back to school, school can be difficult to return to, and it can be hard to get motivated to engage in the straight world after spending so much time stripping. Lots of people get stuck in ruts here.

    I really don't want this to start a back-and-forth argument, since we both know each others' sides (we've hashed things out in other threads). I just can't help but speak up when I hear this.

    OP--Definitely finish your degree! For so many reasons.

    I hear you that you don't want to work for other people, but why not search for an internship or an apprenticeship at a business you find interesting to help you develop your industry skills? Just offer to do 6 month stints working for people who own small businesses, and soak up as much knowledge as possible (real life pitfalls, how they've succeeded, etc.). You have to start somewhere, and even if you aren't planning on using your degree now, an internship / apprenticeship could help you get your foot in the door to start your own business by giving you real world knowledge, and would be a great resume builder if you ever decide to go that route.

    I would also encourage you to VOLUNTEER. Volunteering feeds the soul, and it gives you something to put on your resume in case you end up deciding to find a job until you have the income base to start your own business. I'd also do a search on "Charlie's Guide to Stripping Through College." It may not be full of information that pertains to your situation, since I wrote that aimed at those who are trying to find jobs, but you might find some inspiration there.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    I should also add that if you do decide to do the career stripping thing, even if you just do that until it stops working for you, then you should always be supplementing that with something in the straight world--such as an internship / apprenticeship or volunteering. The biggest issue facing dancers is the dreaded resume gap...having to explain 4+ years of blankness to future employers / investors / etc. It also helps you keep grounded in the real world, which helps keep you sane.

    ETA: there are ways to explain away gaps in resumes, of course, but IMO and IME, it's best to just actually be doing something so you don't end up in that situation.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    The girls have said it all, but coming from someone who has a degree I only used for a short period of time and also almost quit in my last 6 months.... finish!!! You never know when you will need it (turns out it got me into my veterinary degree over 5 years later). And you are so close. Hang in there! You can do it.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Lol! $13,000 is expensive (that is cheap)??! I wish my BFA had only cost me that much -mine cost me $60,000! But I'm proud that I have my Bachelor's -while I may not be using it at the moment, it always looks & feels good to know that you have it. I have been dancing for 10 years now & while I have loved almost all of it -I'm starting to get tired of it & I'm happy that I have my degree & going back for more to fall back on. The economy sucks & it never hurts to be multi faceted -whether you decide to be a career stripper, it's a temporary path or you wind up like me & do it for a major chunk of your life & then pursue something else much much later. Always have an ace up your sleeve, dear -just incase!
    "You're better than no one and no one is better than you."
    -- Bob Dylan

    “There's never going to be a great misunderstanding of me. I think I'm a little whacked.”


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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Quote Originally Posted by charlie61 View Post
    I should also add that if you do decide to do the career stripping thing, even if you just do that until it stops working for you, then you should always be supplementing that with something in the straight world--such as an internship / apprenticeship or volunteering. The biggest issue facing dancers is the dreaded resume gap...having to explain 4+ years of blankness to future employers / investors / etc. It also helps you keep grounded in the real world, which helps keep you sane.

    ETA: there are ways to explain away gaps in resumes, of course, but IMO and IME, it's best to just actually be doing something so you don't end up in that situation.

    ^^
    This is soooo true & some of us (myself included) had to learn the hard way!
    "You're better than no one and no one is better than you."
    -- Bob Dylan

    “There's never going to be a great misunderstanding of me. I think I'm a little whacked.”


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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Quote Originally Posted by Brandi_Lynn View Post
    Lol! $13,000 is expensive (that is cheap)??! I wish my BFA had only cost me that much -mine cost me $60,000! But I'm proud that I have my Bachelor's -while I may not be using it at the moment, it always looks & feels good to know that you have it. I have been dancing for 10 years now & while I have loved almost all of it -I'm starting to get tired of it & I'm happy that I have my degree & going back for more to fall back on. The economy sucks & it never hurts to be multi faceted -whether you decide to be a career stripper, it's a temporary path or you wind up like me & do it for a major chunk of your life & then pursue something else much much later. Always have an ace up your sleeve, dear -just incase!
    I believe she meant $13k for the semester.

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    ^^

    Ahhhh, then that makes waaay more sense then!
    "You're better than no one and no one is better than you."
    -- Bob Dylan

    “There's never going to be a great misunderstanding of me. I think I'm a little whacked.”


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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Quote Originally Posted by Brandi_Lynn View Post
    Lol! $13,000 is expensive (that is cheap)??! I wish my BFA had only cost me that much -mine cost me $60,000! But I'm proud that I have my Bachelor's -while I may not be using it at the moment, it always looks & feels good to know that you have it. I have been dancing for 10 years now & while I have loved almost all of it -I'm starting to get tired of it & I'm happy that I have my degree & going back for more to fall back on. The economy sucks & it never hurts to be multi faceted -whether you decide to be a career stripper, it's a temporary path or you wind up like me & do it for a major chunk of your life & then pursue something else much much later. Always have an ace up your sleeve, dear -just incase!


    Umm.. It's 13,000 for the last 6 months. I'd dare to say that's expensive. I already paid 60,000 and I don't have loans I'm paying cash

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    Side note: make sure you pay taxes on the cash you're paying for tuition. The IRS does track tuition money now, I believe. (OP- this isn't just information for you, but for anyone looking at this thread. I don't mean to imply anything for your situation.)

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    Default Re: career stripping vs. finishing college

    can't help but always respond to this position, with all due respect Melonie! You are speaking as the 1% or less who could do this job for a long time (over four years) and be relatively happy while doing it. In my understanding, you also primarily danced during the golden ages of stripping, so your perspective is skewed.
    Agreed ! However, the straight job market has passed its golden age as well, given that employers now have a choice of hiring lower paid H1-B professional workers, unemployed people with degrees plus real world experience etc. instead of new graduates. So both positions are skewed.

    Also agreed that dealing with 'serious professional full time dancing' requirements for physical energy output, psychological side-effects, physical contact side-effects, social stigma side-effects etc. is NOT easy. Indeed the majority of girls are not likely to have the 'stamina' to be able to do this continuously for 10+ years. But along the same vein, the majority of girls who start out college with the goal of obtaining a Masters degree aren't going to 'stay the course' either. Financial analysts are becoming increasingly concerned about the fast rising number of young Americans who drop out / quit their college studies before obtaining an advanced degree ... while carrying large student loan burdens from college attendance but lacking the degree / credentials necessary to obtain a job that pays well enough to service their student loan debt burden.

    But I do agree with you that there are two valid views on this topic. Both have potential advantages if followed to completion, and both have pitfalls if not.


    Side note: make sure you pay taxes on the cash you're paying for tuition. The IRS does track tuition money now
    yes every US college bursar's office now must make automatic tuition payment reports to the IRS and to FSLA. From there, IRS computers will attempt to reconcile the income levels reported by the student and by the student's parents ( if the student is under age 24 ) versus the amount of tuition money granted / borrowed from FSLA versus the amount of tuition money spent. If it appears that a student is spending ~$30k on annual tuition, but the parents' reported income is <$50k and the student's reported income is <$10k, and no major student loans have been taken out, audits are likely to follow. And to complicate matters even further, if audits discover that unreported income has been used to make tuition payments, FSLA may follow with a demand for immediate repayment of student grant money where eligibility would have been denied had all parent + student income been reported.
    Last edited by Melonie; 06-13-2012 at 03:40 AM.

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