[Renberg]

I'm graduating college in a semester and I'd most likely move from the East Coast to out west (bay area or Los Angeles). One part of me wants to jump into a career that I am passionate about (in entertainment) as soon as possible, given that it's a very competitive field and the only way to make money in it is to network and work your ass off. I've been to LA before, had a great time -- but it's nothing incredibly special to me. However, I have yet to live there since swallowing the red pill.

But, at the same time, I've been reading the forum and improving the way I think about myself, life and the opportunities in the world -- and realized that there is so much abroad. Jumping into the California scene would limit me to one segment of the world, where I will be working my ass off for what would arguably be considered a good payoff. I am a very hard worker, but I'm not sure I'm that entirely passionate about the career choice that forcing myself within one industry, which takes place in one sect of the US, will be smart. Especially since there is so much out there.

I've been considering teaching abroad for six months or so. As far as I know, it's the best way for someone in my position (22, without much money, working while finishing school) to explore and to be able to finance it.

I'm sure there's a lot of personal growth attributed to travel and exploration -- but I haven't yet experienced it. It seems like my best opportunities are in Thailand and Korea, but it would be a dream of mine to, in the near future, to travel Europe. I'm sure the beautiful beaches and women in Thailand and Korea are great. But, it seems extremely difficult for someone like me to land a short-term job in a European country. I would really appreciate the advice in my situation, in helping me decide if I should move out west, work, and save up for a backpacking trip, somehow finagle my way into the European English teaching world, or try my luck in Korea or Thailand.

TL;DR: Unsure if I should move out west, follow a passion and confine myself to one location/industry OR find a way to explore the world directly out of college.

I'm going to post in the abroad forum about starting teaching in January (spring semester), but I'd appreciate any info, whether in this thread or a PM. I've read the travel forums, but had this dilemma, figured I'd post it here.

Thanks,
Renberg

[EasyMoney]

If i were in your shoes I would go to wherever it is in the world that fascinates you, whatever place seems to grab ahold of your imagination, find a hostel, ask to volunteer there in exchange for room/board/food and just enjoy the pleasures of being an expat - the partying with a never ending stream of young adventurous people, the booze, the sex, all that good shit.

Do that for as long as you feel you need to.

Then try the show biz angle in LA if you're wiling to hustle like how a drowning man hustles for oxygen. I've met drug dealer murderers with more class than some of the people i've met who are in showbiz. But that said - some people can't imagine themselves doing anything else. For them its worth it, for others it isn't.

[polar]

If your college recruiting program would help you break in and you can catch up on the traveling down the line (I.e. prior to grad school, etc) then hustle now rather than later. It can be tough getting back in the groove if you fall out of the recruiting cycle.

Perhaps take time off from school now to get the wanderlust out of your system.

[Jeans]

If you really are passionate about working in entertainment, and that is really what you want to do with your life, I say hit the ground running and start hustling now.

the vagabond lifestlye makes the most sense for the man who cannot be satisfied by any preestablished western lifestyle/career path. if you can be satisfied by one, though, you'd be stupid to not try to get to the top sooner than later.

if you travel after you graduate, you may find it mentally much more difficult to get back in the hustling mindset, and may end up rationalizing ways to put off your career further. additionally, although the job market is highly competitive for recent grads, some employers are definitely turned on by the ambitious, young go getter straight out of school. it looks better than someone a few years out who spent his time rambling away.

in any case, if you start estaishing yourself now, by the time youre 30 you can go abroad in proper style and truly crush it.

[Renberg]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice. I really want to make the European trip long and worthwhile, so I am considering backpacking through South America as a post-graduate treat and then getting on with my career. The forum's made me feel like the world's limitless. By no means do I despise the US; there's just so much to offer -- how can it go unexplored?

[Travesty]

I would save up the money for a 6 month trip to Europe or enough that you will have plenty of money while teaching English, then go straight to LA after your 6 month sabbatical over there.

Don't buy into the wait til you are 30 stuff. Fulfill your dreams now you can do both before the age of 24.

Having real concrete dreams to live out is rare. If you believe in them go after them now.

[blacknwhitespade]

A few months backpacking overseas will be nice, but I'd get on the ball with your entertainment dreams sooner rather than later. I lived in LA for 6 years and watched many people try to "make it", it's not a pretty picture. A lot of burnt-out, clueless people wasting their lives away beating their heads against an immovable wall. But if you truly have the passion and think you've got the talent, then get a plan, move to Los Angeles and get on it right away while you're still quite young, so that within the next few years you'll either do or don't. Just beware, there's a lot of don't-ers out there.

[Renberg]

Thank you, guys. I really appreciate it. I'm currently looking into every options, especially teaching abroad for a few months because I have tutoring/teaching experience and love the English language and writing.

Ideally, it would be pretty great to travel a bit -- maybe for 3-4 months right after graduation -- and then move to LA and get an entry-level job. I'll be 22 when moving out west, and I'll work my ass off.

But I'm definitely letting all the advice sit in my head as I don't have to make an exact decision at the moment.

-Renberg