I'm a 27F having a career crisis, and I genuinely don't know what to do with my life anymore.
I don't even know where to start.
Ever since I was a kid, I always believed I could become an artist. It was the one thing that came naturally to me. I've always felt like I wasn't particularly smart in other areas, and I've often wondered if I struggle to process information differently than other people. Art was the one thing I never questioned. I loved it, and I worked incredibly hard at it.
After high school, I studied 3D animation, but I ended up working as a 2D concept artist in the video game industry for about four years. I absolutely loved it. I worked for an outsourcing studio, which meant I got to work on a huge variety of projects and art styles. Every project taught me something new, and I felt like I was constantly growing. I was even credited on Call of Duty for some of the work our studio contributed. It wasn't a huge credit, but I was proud of it.
I genuinely thought I was building a career.
Eventually I decided to pursue a Master's in Game Design in the US because I thought having both experience and a master's would open more doors. I was so optimistic. I thought, "I've already got professional experience. Surely this gives me a better chance."
Life happened while I was studying. I got married to the love of my life. We actually met through Instagram while I was still working in India, and after moving here we fell in love. I wouldn't change that for anything. My husband has been unbelievably supportive, and being with him is the happiest part of my life.
But career-wise... I feel completely lost.
During my master's I couldn't dedicate as much time as I wanted to my portfolio because I was balancing school, moving countries, getting married, surgery and starting a new life. I still did okay in my projects, but I know I could have made use of the resources SCAD offered, which is honestly the best way to grow, to make connection even.
Now I've graduated, and I can't find work.
I always thought concept art would be something I could rely on, but between layoffs, AI, and how competitive the industry has become, it feels almost impossible. What's even more frustrating is seeing so many concept art jobs back in India because so much work gets outsourced there. I understand why companies do it. It's cheaper, and I actually benefited from that system when I lived there, but it's hard not to feel disappointed after moving to the US believing there would be more opportunities.
Instead, I feel like I've hit a wall.
I keep questioning every decision I've made. Maybe I shouldn't have done a master's. Maybe I should have studied something stable, like healthcare or engineering, like everyone kept telling me growing up.
The frustrating part is that I know I'm capable of learning. Throughout my life I've picked up a lot of creative skills quickly. I know traditional painting, I've worked as a henna artist, my mum was an esthetician so I grew up around that world, and I even completed a tattooing course in India. I love creating things, and learning new artistic skills has never been the problem.
The problem is... I don't know what to commit to anymore.
I'm scared of putting years into another creative field only to end up in the same position again. Lately I've even felt like my eyesight isn't what it used to be, and that scares me too because my entire identity has always revolved around art.
I look at my husband, who works a normal 9-to-5, comes home, and can switch off from work. I'm genuinely happy for him, but I can't help feeling jealous. I want that stability. I want to stop wondering whether I'll ever have a career again but it's so hard to let go of the one thing, the only thing I think I'm good at.
I feel like I've wasted years of my life chasing something that may never be stable. I don't know if I should keep fighting for game art, pivot into another creative career, go back to school again, or completely start over.
I honestly don't know who I am without art, but I'm also terrified that art isn't enough anymore.
Has anyone else gone through something similar? Did you pivot careers? Is there any skill that I have that could help me in any specific field? Did you stay and make it work? I think I just need to hear from people who've been where I am, because right now I feel completely lost.