What a Visiting Assistant Professor as an Artist Wishes They Knew Before the Art Industry
Patrick, a Visiting Assistant Professor, learned that feeling unsure—"it's okay to feel like you don't know what you're doing"—is a natural part of the process, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and bringing one's unique perspective to situations, rather than conforming to expectations. This internal confidence, a key psychological component, is crucial for navigating challenges and achieving greater rewards in a career.
Self-Discovery, Confidence Building, Resilience, Overcoming Challenges, Career Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Patrick Michael Ballard
Visiting Assistant Professor
Artist
CSU Long Beach (2011)
California Institute of the Arts: MFA in Fine Arts
Fine Arts, Music
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Education
Education
Video Highlights
1. It's normal to feel uncertain and unsure in this field.
2. Embrace curiosity and explore the complexities of different work environments.
3. Trust your instincts and contribute your unique skills and perspective; don't solely rely on others' expectations for validation or direction
Transcript
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone would have told you before you entered the industry?
It's okay to feel like you don't know what you're doing all the time. That's natural when you're consistently curious about the intricacies and dimensions of being in different types of spaces.
Believing you need to go deep inside yourself to find what you believe in and what you can bring to a situation is important. It doesn't need to be what other people expect.
It can be something that you know is valuable because you understand who you are and what you can contribute to any situation. I think that psychological component can cause people to collapse or not be able to go further in their work. It can also make them turn away from a more difficult, but ultimately more rewarding path.
Advizer Personal Links
https://www.patrickmichaelballard.com/, IG: @patrickmichaelballard, Bandcamp: LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-ballard-6742221bb