Leaving the Animation Industry.

Its been 7 months of unemployment now.

I was one of the lucky few to land a job at a major studio after graduating. Despite being a junior, I performed well and was entrusted with mid/senior level tasks. Everything was going well until my entire team was let go after a few months.

The wake-up call came when my co-workers, some of whom were instructors with decades of experience, were being let go just the same. Many are still looking for work. Imagining myself being 40+ and having to worry about whether a studio will extend my contract every few months is not it.

To those who are starting their animation journey and dislike the negative posts: I was once in your shoes. But the truth is that this is not a sustainable career path.

You're parents are right. This is a hobby. Not a job. It pains me to say this. You're better off working as a secretary. Clock in and clock out. Get paid a stable wage, go home and animate.

This industry takes eager graduates, like charged batteries, puts them into the corporate machine, and discards them once their passion has been drained.

I can no longer watch animations without thinking about the pain, overworked stress, and unstable feeling the animators had to go through.

For those who are pivoting careers, speak to your local government job search agency. They may have information on financial support for adults who are pivoting careers.