Forums > Model Colloquy > models: what do you plan on doing after modeling?

Model

90s sub pop records

Posts: 609

Livermore, California, US

I don't think one could be a model forever, looks fade and people want the younger models.

I'm currently in college studying biochemistry, although I may change it to bioengineering. Getting my degree is far more important than being a model.

Sep 04 14 05:59 pm Link

Model

P I X I E

Posts: 35440

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I'm planning on going back to school sometime soon, and get my Translation degree. I don't really model much anymore, and my career is more important at this time.

Sep 04 14 06:12 pm Link

Model

MatureModelMM

Posts: 2843

Detroit, Michigan, US

I don't plan on ever stopping, there's really no reason to, but you might need to change genres.  I'm 62 and not about to stop, there are plenty of art nude models posing for life drawing, painting, and so on who are older than I am. 

If anything, after I retire from my regular job ( I have held the same job for nearly 40 years now) then I might find I have more time available to do modelling, including more travel to work with photographers and artists in other parts of the country.

Those who model as a full time job might think differently than those of us who do it part time. I believe that would be a lot more difficult, but not impossible to continue indefinitely.

Sep 04 14 06:16 pm Link

Model

Ally Nicole NYC

Posts: 45

Bayside, New York, US

I am currently in school for Game Design and Animation smile My ultimate goal would to be an Executive Producer in the gaming industry.

And if all else fails, I just want to cuddle dogs forever.

Sep 04 14 06:23 pm Link

Model

Rylan Sper

Posts: 283

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

I agree that getting a degree is more important (for me anyways). I don't model full time and don't believe I will get much farther in the industry while putting it 2nd on my list of priorities.

Currently I'm working on a degree in Petroleum (geological) Engineering.

Sep 04 14 06:47 pm Link

Model

Erin Holmes

Posts: 6583

Albuquerque, New Mexico, US

I know I will always be involved in the modeling world in some capacity, but I am going to school to ultimately become a physical therapist. I've got 6-7 years to go smile

Sep 04 14 06:57 pm Link

Model

Isis22

Posts: 3557

Muncie, Indiana, US

I didn't start until my 40's and I won't stop until I'm dead. Once my kids are out of the house I will step up my modeling!

Sep 04 14 07:05 pm Link

Model

Victoria Ellis

Posts: 129

San Diego, California, US

I'll start a talk show. Or else replace Tyra on America's Next Top Model. As long as I get to yell at people on tv and be fabulously bitchy.

Or maybe I'll take up photography and gardening.

Sep 04 14 07:17 pm Link

Model

Nat has a username

Posts: 3590

Oakland, California, US

I'm learning as much as I can from everyone I work with. Hell, just from people in my life. I do terribly in a traditional college environment (I tried for 2 years), and most degrees are not something I would ultimately use. I mean, I was on the damn dean's list and my grades were pretty up there and I was 18 or 19 when I dropped out and in junior-level classes, but I couldn't handle the pressure of being in a small class and being forced to talk in public and just way too many things. I got a lot better at 22/23 or so but a classroom setting still triggers an anxiety attack.

My one friend from high school (ok I have one other friend who I had plenty of acquaintances through but she's working in Africa), he reinforced that I should do a trade. He's pretty similar in how his brain works. I've studied under a carpenter and understand basic things and learn offshoots of related fields pretty quickly (stretching canvas and framing for example). I really should just buckle down one day and put in the few years to get certified as an electrician, since that is all understanding circuits and troubleshooting (much like planning a long-term modeling trip), and it is one of the higher paying trades. (And it also isn't as physical as carpentry or general construction which my body won't be able to handle when I'm 40+ I'm afraid.)

My mom lays off on the "go back to school" spiel when I'm working for a month and a half straight and won't see her til mid/late November, though tongue

Sep 05 14 03:34 am Link

Model

LauraLuna

Posts: 261

Madrid, Madrid, Spain

If there's no job for me as an art model when I get a bit older, I can follow my actress career as well. Being on stage, playing a character gives me the same thrill as modelling. And age does not quite matters as on modelling.

Sep 05 14 04:26 am Link

Model

Dido_Wend

Posts: 1138

Madrid, Madrid, Spain

I have always done modeling + something else, except for a few months when I finished my degree and was modeling full time. Now is modeling + training as a translator.

LauraLuna wrote:
If there's no job for me as an art model when I get a bit older, I can follow my actress career as well. Being on stage, playing a character gives me the same thrill as modelling. And age does not quite matters as on modelling.

Hey, so glad to see a fellow Spanish here! big_smile (sorry for the offtopic)

Sep 05 14 05:41 am Link

Model

Koryn

Posts: 39496

Boston, Massachusetts, US

None of my "retirement plans" have ever worked, primarily because none of them have ever provided the living wage that modeling can. Also, those fall back jobs took power from me, and gave it to a person "above" me, who acted as an authority figure and decided the worth of my time/person/life, as it related to THEIR business. I've been my own boss for so long, that I am incredibly good at being my own boss. I'm not good at letting others dictate my value, and I grow deeply resentful of it, and angry at a conventional job.

The last time I tried to "retire," and take a mainstream job in the conventional workforce, I was back shooting in about a year and a half, because my phone was on the verge of being turned off, and I'd gone through most of the money I'd saved from shooting years ago just to keep myself out of debt (I have none), and my boss kept saying, "Oh, it just takes time to build that client base. Be patient." She had apparently forgotten that, during the three years it required her to build her client base, she had a husband with a solid salary, who covered all the household bills. I'm single, and live alone, with no support from anyone except my own hustle. I made sure to bring that right up, and call her out on it. She admitted she'd only been able to make it, because of having a working partner.

I am turning 32 in a few weeks. I have a bachelor's degree, and assorted work experience, but nothing that I can really stand for long, or that will even provide enough to live on, with no external support. Nothing that doesn't make me hate life, other than shooting. I know I need to find something else, but all attempts where I've forced myself into a job didn't work out, so it seems like the only realistic thing is to just let stuff come together naturally.

I've mostly convinced myself to just chill the fuck out, stop freaking out, and when it's time for me to have some "normal" life, I'll have it and until then, I should probably just enjoy the ride. It's keeping me young and challenged at least. Most of the girls I grew up with have settled into their lives, have children they didn't really plan for, can't afford, jobs they hate, struggling with weight gain and low self esteem, and are on their 3rd marriages. Those problems have, for the most part, not been a part of my unconventional lifestyle.

Sep 05 14 07:18 am Link

Photographer

Jerry Nemeth

Posts: 33355

Dearborn, Michigan, US

My daughter went back to school to become a Surgical Technologist.  The pay is good but the schoolwork is hard.

Sep 06 14 01:33 pm Link

Makeup Artist

ArtistryImage

Posts: 3091

Washington, District of Columbia, US

Call Me Caitlin wrote:
I don't think one could be a model forever, looks fade and people want the younger models.

Caitlin, I've trained three models in makeup artistry in the past half decade... it is an excellent exit strategy which allows one to remain within the industry and mentor newly emerging talent... That said to get accepted into an agency one typically needs to license as an esthetician... not that difficult and far more cost effective than college tuition...

Call Me Caitlin wrote:
I'm currently in college studying biochemistry, although I may change it to bioengineering. Getting my degree is far more important than being a model.

Good for you Caitlin, albeit I have to disagree... I have way too many colleagues struggling under huge amounts of student debt... their situation is now common place across the United States where naive have been lured into believing a college credentials where a magic ticket to excellent jobs... that just isn't playing out in this current economic market...

The saddest thing of all is student debt has be structured so it can't be extinguished through legal bankruptcy chapter 11 and chapter 13...  I personally view this as a perpetrated scam on American youth by the money brokers...

Best Advice?  Do not use student loans... you will likely amass a debt burden which will prove a nemesis for your foreseeable future...

Hope this helps...

All the best on your journey...

Sep 06 14 02:21 pm Link

Model

90s sub pop records

Posts: 609

Livermore, California, US

ArtistryImage wrote:

Good for you Caitlin, albeit I have to disagree... I have way too many colleagues struggling under huge amounts of student debt... their situation is now common place across the United States where naive have been lured into believing a college credentials where a magic ticket to excellent jobs... that just isn't playing out in this current economic market...

sounds like they got bullshit degrees and expected to find employment with those degrees.

Sep 06 14 05:01 pm Link

Model

D A N I

Posts: 4627

Little Rock, Arkansas, US

After modeling? Probably kill over

Sep 06 14 05:03 pm Link

Model

Jen B

Posts: 4474

Phoenix, Arizona, US

Call Me Caitlin wrote:
I don't think one could be a model forever, looks fade and people want the younger models.

I'm currently in college studying biochemistry, although I may change it to bioengineering. Getting my degree is far more important than being a model.

Hi Caitlin,

I got a couple degrees before I started modeling and will plan to get another one after, [edit: I mean after starting modeling, not after I finish because I don't plan to quit.] While the alphabet soup behind our nametags is interesting, having a balanced life is even better. smile

It isn't an either or thing but at one time or another something will be at the front.
JenB

Sep 06 14 05:24 pm Link

Model

Jen B

Posts: 4474

Phoenix, Arizona, US

a raw muse wrote:
...
My one friend from high school (ok I have one other friend who I had plenty of acquaintances through but she's working in Africa), he reinforced that I should do a trade. ...

Even though the phrase, "a college degree is the new high school diploma" is common I came across a few studies around 2005 that digested the information. Apparently at that time the "Trades" were where it was at and where parents should have actually been encouraging their children in order for them to have success.

So, maybe the stats or information on that would hush your mom. smile!
Jen
p.s. apologies for not finding or citing the information.

Sep 06 14 05:29 pm Link

Photographer

AJ_In_Atlanta

Posts: 13053

Atlanta, Georgia, US

Call Me Caitlin wrote:
I don't think one could be a model forever, looks fade and people want the younger models.

I'm currently in college studying biochemistry, although I may change it to bioengineering. Getting my degree is far more important than being a model.

A degree is good, but you don't see 20 year old models in campaigns aimed at the 59+ customer.  Models are needed for all ages in commercial work

Sep 06 14 05:45 pm Link

Model

90s sub pop records

Posts: 609

Livermore, California, US

AJ_In_Atlanta wrote:

A degree is good, but you don't see 20 year old models in campaigns aimed at the 59+ customer.  Models are needed for all ages in commercial work

That is irrelevant to my point.

Sep 06 14 05:51 pm Link

Model

AzaleaJ

Posts: 4

Miami, Florida, US

Photography and illustration

Sep 06 14 05:56 pm Link

Model

90s sub pop records

Posts: 609

Livermore, California, US

DianaAzalea wrote:
Photography and illustration

What do you plan on doing after you get your degree?

Sep 06 14 06:57 pm Link

Photographer

AJ_In_Atlanta

Posts: 13053

Atlanta, Georgia, US

Call Me Caitlin wrote:

That is irrelevant to my point.

"Looks fade and people want younger models...."

I said that isn't the case so how exactly is that irrelevant to your point .  It was specifically about your point, some models will go on modeling until they retire completely

Sep 06 14 07:07 pm Link

Model

kobayashi_m

Posts: 15

Los Angeles, California, US

I'm a personal trainer and nutritionist. Stepped away from modeling a few years back and only quite recently came back to it because it's advantages for self-promotion and marketing :p <--- Shameless, yes.

Due to the nature of the fitness industry, competitive bodybuilding, and women's fitness in general, I plan on continuing modeling until I am physically unable to maintain any sort of muscle mass hahah. With the advancement of HGH, supplements, etc, I'm expecting that won't be for a long, long while.

tl;dr: Gonna go for my Pro Card in women's bodybuilding and will continue fit modeling til the day I die haha.

Sep 06 14 09:02 pm Link

Model

90s sub pop records

Posts: 609

Livermore, California, US

AJ_In_Atlanta wrote:
some models will go on modeling until they retire completely

that's unfortunate, i have a brain and I plan on going into research. i couldn't imagine having a superficial career for decades.

Sep 06 14 09:06 pm Link

Model

Nat has a username

Posts: 3590

Oakland, California, US

Call Me Caitlin wrote:

that's unfortunate, i have a brain and I plan on going into research. i couldn't imagine having a superficial career for decades.

"Superficial career" is a bit of a loaded statement, no?

Speaking from the biased perspective of an art model, even an architect and a doctor could benefit from taking a figure drawing 101 class. I don't think my current occupation is purely superficial, it serves a greater purpose. (Learning ratios, human anatomy, developing hand-eye coordination, etc. etc.)

Besides, I'm allowed a massive amount of free time to pursue whatever other studies I want; not many occupations allow for that. I'm exposed to many things I wouldn't otherwise be exposed to. I can travel and not go broke. I learned how to be self-reliant.

just $0.02

Sep 06 14 10:48 pm Link

Photographer

SPV Photo

Posts: 808

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

Very interesting thread!

Sep 07 14 01:10 am Link

Model

Koryn

Posts: 39496

Boston, Massachusetts, US

kobayashi_m wrote:
I'm a personal trainer and nutritionist. Stepped away from modeling a few years back and only quite recently came back to it because it's advantages for self-promotion and marketing :p <--- Shameless, yes.

Due to the nature of the fitness industry, competitive bodybuilding, and women's fitness in general, I plan on continuing modeling until I am physically unable to maintain any sort of muscle mass hahah. With the advancement of HGH, supplements, etc, I'm expecting that won't be for a long, long while.

tl;dr: Gonna go for my Pro Card in women's bodybuilding and will continue fit modeling til the day I die haha.

Wait.... You're competing, AND using growth hormone?

Yeah, you probably don't want to talk too loudly about that.

Sep 07 14 05:56 am Link

Model

Figures Jen B

Posts: 790

Phoenix, Arizona, US

Call Me Caitlin wrote:
that's unfortunate, i have a brain and I plan on going into research. i couldn't imagine having a superficial career for decades.

Hello,

Really...hopefully you will mature and actually have a soul to go with that brain one day.

Best,
Jen
edit: Caitlin, there are many different reasons for modeling, if you feel that it is beneath your brain, then so be it for you, best...

Sep 07 14 07:03 am Link

Model

Isis22

Posts: 3557

Muncie, Indiana, US

Call Me Caitlin wrote:

that's unfortunate, i have a brain and I plan on going into research. i couldn't imagine having a superficial career for decades.

Not everyone has to prove their brain power. I choose to use mine by raising two amazing children. I don't need degrees to make myself feel valuable. BTW, my ex-husband has 2 major and 2 minor degrees. He is the biggest asshole I know. I learned a long time ago that being "smart" is nothing compared to being nice.

Sep 07 14 07:08 am Link

Model

Figures Jen B

Posts: 790

Phoenix, Arizona, US

edit to remove because I think I violated a rule somehow...

Sep 07 14 07:11 am Link

Model

Christie Gabriel

Posts: 2804

Chicago, Illinois, US

<-wrote a book about modeling
<- currently half-way through production on a Documentary about modeling
<-is a Temptu airbrush makeup artist
<- although inactive, still holds an Esthetician's license
<-has loads of Ideas for novels to write (just no time currently)
<-homeschooling my boys, which is like five full time jobs rolled into one!

Even with all these back up plans and safety nets....still plan on modeling until I'm 60 smile

Sep 07 14 07:17 am Link

Model

kobayashi_m

Posts: 15

Los Angeles, California, US

Koryn wrote:

Wait.... You're competing, AND using growth hormone?

Yeah, you probably don't want to talk too loudly about that.

I never said I use HGH, but thanks for the implication. I basically said, with current and projected advancements in supplementation people can and will be able to retain muscle mass further in their life. HGH is used medically to aid in things like tissue recovery and growth post surgery, one example would be rehab having breast augementation.

If you can't read into sarcasm that's fine, but don't go chastising others based on assumptions. I neither directly said I did nor inferred I currently do.

Sep 07 14 10:19 am Link

Model

Kahula

Posts: 65

Tucson, Arizona, US

Taking my dance training with me and opening my own dance studio in a snowbird type location.

Sep 07 14 10:31 am Link

Model

Ally Nicole NYC

Posts: 45

Bayside, New York, US

Call Me Caitlin wrote:

that's unfortunate, i have a brain and I plan on going into research. i couldn't imagine having a superficial career for decades.

I'm a little confused as to why you began modeling in the first place if you think it's "superficial" and brainless.

Sep 07 14 02:22 pm Link

Model

Kitty LaRose

Posts: 12735

Kansas City, Missouri, US

I finished my degree in Editorial/Publications,  got married, and recently had a baby. I suppose I'll chase my next dream and still model. smile

Sep 07 14 06:07 pm Link

Model

Eleanor Rose

Posts: 2612

PASO ROBLES, California, US

I'm thinking of going into some sort of advocacy. Once I've saved up enough I plan to get a degree in Women and Gender Studies, and I figure I'll play off of that somehow. I know I'm interested in the field and I'm assuming that I'll narrow it down as I learn and experience more, so I'm not interested in trying to pick one specific job to aim for at the moment.

Sep 08 14 08:06 pm Link

Model

Eleanor Rose

Posts: 2612

PASO ROBLES, California, US

Call Me Caitlin wrote:
that's unfortunate, i have a brain and I plan on going into research. i couldn't imagine having a superficial career for decades.

It's really sad to see you say that, when for the most part we have such a wonderful community of models supporting each other. Many of us have put huge amounts of effort into our careers, and I would hardly call the equivalent of running your own business (only an equivalent because most of us aren't labeled as such for tax purposes) superficial. This job requires thick skin, perseverance, and business smarts. We have to juggle schedules and transportation, deal with a huge range of personalities (some of which conflict with our own), handle social media, learn connected skills such as time management/money management/self promotion/posing/makeup/hair/etc. and apply them, and so much more.

We all have brains, and we all use them. Most of us are highly intelligent (note that a successful career requires all the skills of a small business) and many successful models that I know of are highly regarded in other fields, and/or have published multiple books/essays/etc.

Your career might be superficial, but most of ours aren't, so please don't judge us all based on your internalized biases.

Ally Nicole NYC wrote:
I'm a little confused as to why you began modeling in the first place if you think it's "superficial" and brainless.

+100

Sep 08 14 08:18 pm Link

Model

Figuremodel001

Posts: 342

Chicago, Illinois, US

Call Me Caitlin wrote:
I don't think one could be a model forever, looks fade and people want the younger models.

I'm currently in college studying biochemistry, although I may change it to bioengineering. Getting my degree is far more important than being a model.

Don't know that I agree with the first part, your model gigs will age with you but no reason to stop. Except of course for your second sentence; if you want to do something else, go for it and good luck.

Sep 10 14 09:23 am Link

Model

Emily Smiles

Posts: 295

Columbia, South Carolina, US

If you take good care of your skin and body, you can model for years commercially, with the right agency!

Personally, I've felt models with college degrees are few and far between so I'm excited to be graduating soon.

I'm a soon to be graduate of the University of South Carolina, and I plan to continue modeling as regular income to assist with my student loan debt. Good Lord willing, I'll model until I'm unable, and then I'll take full advantage of my degree & industry. That's not to say I'm not looking for a full time job after graduation already, but I know I have options available to me, i.e modeling and or a full time job in hospitality.

Sep 10 14 05:44 pm Link