Protector Film joining to navy and then college or going to pursue architecture and film, plz read details below?
I am 18 years old
You see i have had goals since i was in middle school to become a filmmaker, but lately this past few years i have been going through many personal issues, but i still would like be in film but haven't had straight goals. And i know life is never what you expect. But film is a very big gamble on life on my perspective, either it will move you forward or not. But i have some great passion for it.
At sametime i want to be in architecture because it has a more realistic success to it and has some interest.
At the sametime i want to go to the navy first, to become a stronger person, chance to feel like protector, while traveling around the world perhaps.
My therapist says i shouldn't join the navy and even consider and said i should go directly to film and pursue , since he says i am really smart enough and very artistic enough(i do feel i am creative enough) and should navy if i had no goals at all or something. Just not sure what to do...
Speaking as a former Naval officer (Lieutenant) and an Architect, I would advise going to college first. If you do wait until after you have your degree, you can join the Navy as an Ensign and work specifically in architecture (which looks GREAT on your resume).
The problem with joining the Navy at 18 is that you are going to be an enlisted person and the experience you will receive will not be directly related to your future career paths (either film or architecture). Additionally, not saying this will happen to you, but I met a lot of young enlisted men that kept reenlisting because of the huge bonus potential, and ended up 30 years old, with families, and having to go to school at night to balance a family, work, and school.
If you do decide to go to university first you have a couple options (especially if money is a limiting factor in your decision):
1. ROTC: they will pay for a good portion of your schooling, and you will get a sense of accomplishment and a feel of whether military life is for you.
2. The Navy Degree Completion Program (most enlisted recruiters haven't even heard about this, so you have to get your info from an OCS recruiter): My brother did this, and I wish I would have. You become eligible after your first year (maybe semester) of college if you have earned at least a 2.8 GPA. The Navy PAYS YOU at an E3 rate (approx $850/month) for 3 years while you finish your degree. There is no drilling, no uniforms, no meetings or test, just maintain a 3.0 GPA (which most architecture programs require anyways) and when you graduate you are commissioned as an Ensign and have to agree to 4 years service (they allowed my brother to serve for 2 years, and spend the last 3 years getting his J.D.).
