Riya, you wrote:

>I have been as you put it walking down the two roads for a while and its generated quite a bit of frustration. Trying to juggle both the practice that is needed to do good in art and the hard core studying that is needed to do well in programming.

It's common to have two interests and to have to figure out a way to balance them. It's too bad it's been frustrating for you.

>I found it a little insulting you were quick to jump on a chance to point me wrong for assuming, and not in the kindest way either.

It's common for folks your age to act based on assumptions rather than solid information - and to take insult too easily, too. I was the same. I was trying to chip away at the things that are holding you back. Too bad it didn't help but rather just irritated you.

>Point #1: The length of the demo reel I got from figuring ...
>Point#2: Really I don’t think 100-200 people applying for the same position is that unheard of...
>Point#3: I really don’t get what you find wrong with that statement, its pretty common knowledge ...

Maybe you should major in Debate. (^_^) Arguing these points isn't helping you get an answer to your question. Why not just say what it is you really want to know? You didn't reply to the advice I gave you, so I don't know if you even heard it. Maybe it was lost in your feeling insulted by this other stuff I wrote. I had originally suggested that you should complete your current degree program, but then I read your words:

>I tend to avoid programming at all costs unless it is needed for a class or information that I believe will be useful for me later on

On one hand, I imagine you would find it frustrating to drop your current program and start over from scratch. But if you dislike programming that much, perhaps it would also be frustrating to see your current program through to completion. Either way, frustration (a current fixture of your life) is likely to still exist for you. I don't say that to be fatalistic but rather for two reasons:

1. Still working on the question you asked, which was whether to switch programs or not;

2. To illustrate that no decision is without consequences. That doesn't mean the decision shouldn't be made (that too has consequences).

Hi Riya, you wrote:

>I was hoping you might actually post a little bit about how you came to your reasoning on each of my "assumptions." Or why my thought process in how I came up with my conclusions was flawed.

I don't think that's nearly as important as the bigger notion of finishing an educational program.

>I am not here to strictly "answer a question" think of it as a discussion so to speak....What I am seeking is other peoples comments and thoughts on it and possibly a open discussion with them to make sure I have viewed all sides of the issue.

OK, well, that's not very interesting to me. Good luck with everything.

My quick 2c on it is this: I work with artists who got their degree in everything from art to programming to history to mathematics... it all depends on the quality of your work. Your demo reel is #1 priority. To have a degree, in anything, proves that you can finish what you start.

As far as the last few posts go, apparently you don't know Tom yet :) He's a grizzled veteran and he knows his stuff, and he's not afraid to get it across to others in whatever way he feels necessary. So you shouldn't think of it as arrogance as much as a confidence that he knows more than you. Which he does. He definitely knows more than me! [lol]

Good luck, and I'd suggest sticking with what you started. The piece of paper only matters in that you have something, after that your demo reel is the key to getting the job.