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• Actor
• Artist
• Audio Technician
• Business Writer
• Camera Operator
• Craft Artist
• Director
• Editor
• Fashion Designer
• Floral Designer
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Best & Worst Things About This Career

"The best part of my job is when I see a student "get it." Bad acting is usually either from actors being embarrassed to make bold choices, or by actors who think acting is simply about being a show-off. When the students get the idea that they have enough inside themselves to play any character truthfully - that's a great moment. The worst part of my job probably has to do with grading - it's very difficult to give a letter grade to an acting student, because their work is tied up in their own self-worth."

"The best part of this kind of work is that you are doing something you have a talent for and that is going to benefit others by entertaining them and making them think. It is a job that you can do for as long as you have something to contribute. The worst aspect of it is its unreliability as a source of money. And it requires great discipline. There is no back-up team. You are it."

"The best part of the job is being able to work for myself. I don't have to report to a boss and if I wanted to, I could spend the day in my pajamas. My schedule is very flexible, and I have a lot of free time during the day. Conversely, the the worst part of the job is that I don't have a guaranteed salary. I audition for hundreds of jobs a week and may only get hired for a couple. Being self-motivated is often a difficult part of this job."

Tips for Succeeding in This Career

"You must get the most advanced degree possible to teach at most universities. The most advanced acting degree is the MFA - Master of Fine Arts. Beyond your degree, you must have professional experience as an actor. Professional experience usually means that you have auditioned and earned roles in union work - Screen Actors Guild, Actors Equity Association, or the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. Learn a specific technique of acting. The most popular techniques in the U.S. are named after the founder of the technique - Meisner, Adler, and Strasberg are the three biggest."

"Before you launch yourself into the entertainment business it is good to keep in mind that it's a business, and you should try to learn as much about the practical side of it as you can. Do anything you can just to let others know who you are and what you have to offer, regardless of the pay (or lack of it). Commercials and voice-overs can subsidize your artistic work. Keep them in mind, though they aren't easy to get either."

"First, be prepared for a lot of rejection. You may have to audition for hundreds of jobs before you land one. Secondly, have a side source of income for the first year or two. Until you build a large client base, money may be tight. And finally, work to continually improve yourself. Many voice websites offer webinars and CDs that can give you tips to improve. You should also have many different people listen to your demo and give you constructive criticism."