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I don't want this post to be too much a wall of text, so I will try to keep things short and summarize other things. Just know that I have been thinking about this very much for a long time, so if there is anything else you want to know in detail, just ask and I will respond.
Some Background:
- I have a huge desire to be extremely competitive in SC2 - so much so that thoughts of the game creep into my mind at nearly all times.
- The same thing was NOT present in BW despite how much I played it, because realistically I was never going to be pro in BW.
- I am finishing my last semester of college (computer science). I've got the time still to take a risk and try something that is unconventional, uncertain/risky, but something I have a huge desire to do. If this were say, 2 or 3 years from now, I would not be entertaining this thought as I am now.
- I have the feeling that I will have a huge regret for not trying this path later on in life, even if things turn out for the better should I not have done this.
Starcraft Background
- Currently 923 Masters Protoss (+88) Bonus pool on RevaPs, main NA account. Was similarly rated in terms of ranking on EU last season, actually slightly higher.
- I have only really devoted myself to practice for isolated periods of time, as whenever I do so, I cannot stop practicing and everything else goes out the window. I get very angry at myself for my skill not being near where I want it to be, and so cannot stop focusing on practice for the rest of the day - any other concerns/time commitments get fucked over.
- I truly believe that if I commit myself to fulltime practicing SC2, I can become really really good. If I don't have to worry about doing anything else, I really think I can improve very rapidly and become really good, because I wont just stop at practicing every now and then. The way in which I cannot stop myself from practicing more and more on any one day will instead extend indefinitely.
I'm not doing this out of some unconsidered urge.
- I know that SC2 is basically a non-transferrable skill.
- I know that becoming pro in the sense that I want to be is a most nontrivial task and is extremely time consuming, and probably involves a bit of talent as well.
- I know there's not a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, and all's not funsies and candy.
All that aside, I really want to take this risk at least once, and honestly I can only take it once. In a couple years it would stupid to do this (for me anyways). It's probably stupid even now, but it's hard to describe how much of a desire I have to do this. Now is probably the one chance, however silly it may be.
I need to create a firm fail condition.
- I need a firm fail date. I am thinking that if by the end of July (or even June) 2012, I am not in a pro house yet, then I will abandon this and do a more "normal" thing, which tbh probably won't be quite normal since I want to take jobs around the world and shit, earlier blog about that. Basically office work really isn't something I enjoy or am motivated by in any sense.
- My goal during practice will be singular - simply to be the absolute best I can be in the time interval I have set aside.
I need input, especially from people who have traveled this road before. How should I approach this? And if possible, from people in the know about team conditions, what are the chances of getting into a team house?
I am reminded of Tgun, who went from Clan OD (relatively unknown in SC2) to FXO while he was still masters, and is now on It's Gosu.
Thanks for any input, this is actually an unexpectedly hard decision for me to make >.<
 
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Oh hey I've talked to you on bnet before, it's Yoshi.
Anyways I also have similar urges but not just for SC2 but for a career in music performance, though that is probably much harder than SC2 actually (competitive wise). I would like it if someone can share input on this, namely, whether or not it's better to do what you want (dream, whatever) even though it's risky.
Cus if you don't do what you had an urge to do, then you will feel bad that you never tried to go all-in. And even if you do try and fail, you also are disappointed but at least know that it didn't work out. But if you do try and succeed, that would be so epic.
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If your alternative is "going around the world doing jobs and shit" then there really isn't any reason not to do this.
Taking time out to play hardcore ammounts of SC2 means fucking over your education if you are young and your career if you are old.
If you have no intention on obtaining an education or a career, just go and play SC2 for a whole year. The question at hand ofcourse being, can you afford it?
Whatever makes you happy.
Oh hey I've talked to you on bnet before, it's Yoshi.
Anyways I also have similar urges but not just for SC2 but for a career in music performance, though that is probably much harder than SC2 actually (competitive wise). I would like it if someone can share input on this, namely, whether or not it's better to do what you want (dream, whatever) even though it's risky.
Cus if you don't do what you had an urge to do, then you will feel bad that you never tried to go all-in. And even if you do try and fail, you also are disappointed but at least know that it didn't work out. But if you do try and succeed, that would be so epic.
How is a music career harder?
You don't need to be a great musician to make money of it. You need to be an incredible SC2 player to even earn a single dollar with it.
Again, you only have one life. Why would you waste it doing something you don't like when you obviously have something you do care for?
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Go for it ^_^ and take good care of your wrists! Seems like most progamers have wrist problems nowadays.
From what you've written, it's something you will never regret.
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Just do it.
Once you graduate, you will always have your CS degree to fall back on. If anything, it'll teach you about hard work and blah blah blah life lessons.
As for team houses? I don't think many exist (besides korean and EG's). Most teams just practice online.
anyway, if you end up doing this, it's going to take at least a full year. You need to get your name out there through small online tournaments before any large clan will even look at you. After that, you'll still need results.
So i'd give it a couple months for finding a small team/ winning small tourneys.
then up to a year of research, contacting proteams, trying to break MLG open bracket, etc.
Even if you fail terribly, it'll be something you can look back on and be glad you did. You only live once.
Just do it.
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On November 28 2011 06:15 zalz wrote:If your alternative is "going around the world doing jobs and shit" then there really isn't any reason not to do this.Taking time out to play hardcore ammounts of SC2 means fucking over your education if you are young and your career if you are old. If you have no intention on obtaining an education or a career, just go and play SC2 for a whole year. The question at hand ofcourse being, can you afford it? Whatever makes you happy. Show nested quote +Oh hey I've talked to you on bnet before, it's Yoshi.
Anyways I also have similar urges but not just for SC2 but for a career in music performance, though that is probably much harder than SC2 actually (competitive wise). I would like it if someone can share input on this, namely, whether or not it's better to do what you want (dream, whatever) even though it's risky.
Cus if you don't do what you had an urge to do, then you will feel bad that you never tried to go all-in. And even if you do try and fail, you also are disappointed but at least know that it didn't work out. But if you do try and succeed, that would be so epic. How is a music career harder? You don't need to be a great musician to make money of it. You need to be an incredible SC2 player to even earn a single dollar with it. Again, you only have one life. Why would you waste it doing something you don't like when you obviously have something you do care for?
That's not my alternative. My alternative is doing a "real job" in programming, and then after I have enough capital, to finance my "stuff around the world". Like I said, I finish my bachelor's degree this semester. I don't intend to go to grad school right away, hell I just don't feel like being in school atm.
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On November 28 2011 06:15 zalz wrote:If your alternative is "going around the world doing jobs and shit" then there really isn't any reason not to do this. Taking time out to play hardcore ammounts of SC2 means fucking over your education if you are young and your career if you are old. If you have no intention on obtaining an education or a career, just go and play SC2 for a whole year. The question at hand ofcourse being, can you afford it? Whatever makes you happy. Show nested quote +Oh hey I've talked to you on bnet before, it's Yoshi.
Anyways I also have similar urges but not just for SC2 but for a career in music performance, though that is probably much harder than SC2 actually (competitive wise). I would like it if someone can share input on this, namely, whether or not it's better to do what you want (dream, whatever) even though it's risky.
Cus if you don't do what you had an urge to do, then you will feel bad that you never tried to go all-in. And even if you do try and fail, you also are disappointed but at least know that it didn't work out. But if you do try and succeed, that would be so epic. How is a music career harder? You don't need to be a great musician to make money of it. You need to be an incredible SC2 player to even earn a single dollar with it. Again, you only have one life. Why would you waste it doing something you don't like when you obviously have something you do care for?
Not just any music career, a music PERFORMANCE career. Especially for piano. Only a very very small percentage of performance majors or music majors or whatever people in general actually are good enough to make enough money (20-30k, which is what you would make working at McDonald's) to live off of pure performance.
At least, this is my understanding. If you have any numbers or know anyone who isn't a super beast at piano or music and can live off of performance comfortably, like mid class, I would love to be told I'm wrong =O
Also is it my misunderstanding that if you don't have a job for a while, usually once you apply for one they might frown at you and wonder why you've not had a job for a few years?
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On November 28 2011 06:13 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:
Oh hey I've talked to you on bnet before, it's Yoshi.
Anyways I also have similar urges but not just for SC2 but for a career in music performance, though that is probably much harder than SC2 actually (competitive wise). I would like it if someone can share input on this, namely, whether or not it's better to do what you want (dream, whatever) even though it's risky.
Cus if you don't do what you had an urge to do, then you will feel bad that you never tried to go all-in. And even if you do try and fail, you also are disappointed but at least know that it didn't work out. But if you do try and succeed, that would be so epic.
That rather sums up my feeling towards the decision at the moment.
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On November 28 2011 06:23 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:Show nested quote +On November 28 2011 06:15 zalz wrote:If your alternative is "going around the world doing jobs and shit" then there really isn't any reason not to do this. Taking time out to play hardcore ammounts of SC2 means fucking over your education if you are young and your career if you are old. If you have no intention on obtaining an education or a career, just go and play SC2 for a whole year. The question at hand ofcourse being, can you afford it? Whatever makes you happy. Oh hey I've talked to you on bnet before, it's Yoshi.
Anyways I also have similar urges but not just for SC2 but for a career in music performance, though that is probably much harder than SC2 actually (competitive wise). I would like it if someone can share input on this, namely, whether or not it's better to do what you want (dream, whatever) even though it's risky.
Cus if you don't do what you had an urge to do, then you will feel bad that you never tried to go all-in. And even if you do try and fail, you also are disappointed but at least know that it didn't work out. But if you do try and succeed, that would be so epic. How is a music career harder? You don't need to be a great musician to make money of it. You need to be an incredible SC2 player to even earn a single dollar with it. Again, you only have one life. Why would you waste it doing something you don't like when you obviously have something you do care for? Not just any music career, a music PERFORMANCE career. Especially for piano. Only a very very small percentage of performance majors or music majors or whatever people in general actually are good enough to make enough money (20-30k, which is what you would make working at McDonald's) to live off of pure performance. At least, this is my understanding. If you have any numbers or know anyone who isn't a super beast at piano or music and can live off of performance comfortably, like mid class, I would love to be told I'm wrong =O Also is it my misunderstanding that if you don't have a job for a while, usually once you apply for one they might frown at you and wonder why you've not had a job for a few years?
See that's the difference.
You can live off music if you are decent. I never said being decent was good enough to buy a big house and send your kids to college with.
It's about the balance between doing that thing you love and having the money. It's only an extreme select few that make a fortune off music.
If you really have a feel for music then does it really matter that you might make less then a McDonalds employee?
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I agree with Yoshi Kirishima. Also, I think that it would be a good idea to drill yourself on specific reactions to scouting information. It seems like it would help you a lot in your downtime. For example when you aren't playing, say to yourself "I just saw him go mass hellions and I currently have x. What should I do to counter it?" But of course this will happen much faster inside your head and try to get your reactions to be instant. Make up as many situations as you possibly can. GoodLuck!
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On November 28 2011 06:23 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:Show nested quote +On November 28 2011 06:15 zalz wrote:If your alternative is "going around the world doing jobs and shit" then there really isn't any reason not to do this. Taking time out to play hardcore ammounts of SC2 means fucking over your education if you are young and your career if you are old. If you have no intention on obtaining an education or a career, just go and play SC2 for a whole year. The question at hand ofcourse being, can you afford it? Whatever makes you happy. Oh hey I've talked to you on bnet before, it's Yoshi.
Anyways I also have similar urges but not just for SC2 but for a career in music performance, though that is probably much harder than SC2 actually (competitive wise). I would like it if someone can share input on this, namely, whether or not it's better to do what you want (dream, whatever) even though it's risky.
Cus if you don't do what you had an urge to do, then you will feel bad that you never tried to go all-in. And even if you do try and fail, you also are disappointed but at least know that it didn't work out. But if you do try and succeed, that would be so epic. How is a music career harder? You don't need to be a great musician to make money of it. You need to be an incredible SC2 player to even earn a single dollar with it. Again, you only have one life. Why would you waste it doing something you don't like when you obviously have something you do care for? Not just any music career, a music PERFORMANCE career. Especially for piano. Only a very very small percentage of performance majors or music majors or whatever people in general actually are good enough to make enough money (20-30k, which is what you would make working at McDonald's) to live off of pure performance. At least, this is my understanding. If you have any numbers or know anyone who isn't a super beast at piano or music and can live off of performance comfortably, like mid class, I would love to be told I'm wrong =O Also is it my misunderstanding that if you don't have a job for a while, usually once you apply for one they might frown at you and wonder why you've not had a job for a few years?
Perform as much as you can. Give lessons and tune pianos on the side. And take up a part time job for a while until your lessons / extra money makers start building up. That's what I would do if I went that route. Unfortunately I'm a wannabe composer, so I typically study the structure of popular symphonic movie soundtracks instead of performing.
I'm really trying to cut down on my gaming time so I can have more time for music. But I'm super addicted and I have a lot of games I like to play at the moment. Hopefully I'll be able to change that soon.
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On November 28 2011 07:18 hp.Shell wrote:Show nested quote +On November 28 2011 06:23 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:On November 28 2011 06:15 zalz wrote:If your alternative is "going around the world doing jobs and shit" then there really isn't any reason not to do this. Taking time out to play hardcore ammounts of SC2 means fucking over your education if you are young and your career if you are old. If you have no intention on obtaining an education or a career, just go and play SC2 for a whole year. The question at hand ofcourse being, can you afford it? Whatever makes you happy. Oh hey I've talked to you on bnet before, it's Yoshi.
Anyways I also have similar urges but not just for SC2 but for a career in music performance, though that is probably much harder than SC2 actually (competitive wise). I would like it if someone can share input on this, namely, whether or not it's better to do what you want (dream, whatever) even though it's risky.
Cus if you don't do what you had an urge to do, then you will feel bad that you never tried to go all-in. And even if you do try and fail, you also are disappointed but at least know that it didn't work out. But if you do try and succeed, that would be so epic. How is a music career harder? You don't need to be a great musician to make money of it. You need to be an incredible SC2 player to even earn a single dollar with it. Again, you only have one life. Why would you waste it doing something you don't like when you obviously have something you do care for? Not just any music career, a music PERFORMANCE career. Especially for piano. Only a very very small percentage of performance majors or music majors or whatever people in general actually are good enough to make enough money (20-30k, which is what you would make working at McDonald's) to live off of pure performance. At least, this is my understanding. If you have any numbers or know anyone who isn't a super beast at piano or music and can live off of performance comfortably, like mid class, I would love to be told I'm wrong =O Also is it my misunderstanding that if you don't have a job for a while, usually once you apply for one they might frown at you and wonder why you've not had a job for a few years? Perform as much as you can. Give lessons and tune pianos on the side. And take up a part time job for a while until your lessons / extra money makers start building up. That's what I would do if I went that route. Unfortunately I'm a wannabe composer, so I typically study the structure of popular symphonic movie soundtracks instead of performing. I'm really trying to cut down on my gaming time so I can have more time for music. But I'm super addicted and I have a lot of games I like to play at the moment. Hopefully I'll be able to change that soon.
Oh, it's nice to see another wannabe musician as you say it xD
Thanks for the advice man.
@zalz cus im too lazy to quote xD
Hm well, if I love music and my heart says I should do what I love instead of something I don't like and will possibly hate (due to regretting not doing music, all-in or not), I think I should do music. However, the risk of it not working + fear and the likely lack of support from my family is daunting to me.
I'm thinking of getting both a degree in business and music. I know it varies from school to school what kind of degree, etc., but i'm talking 4-5 years, possibly with little or no extra load. For example Emory it's not for hardcore musicians but with it I can get both a Business bachelor degree and a music BA degree in the same 4 years since their program is just like that (shorter I guess? meh).
But the big thing I was wondering is, maybe I should make one of them a minor instead? idk how much a business minor helps though if i want to work, and a music minor would probably only give me minimal recognition and just be more for myself.
If I work part time and do music on the side I guess it won't be that bad but I don't think I would like it, unless you weren't talking about part time at a mimimal wage job? Is that actually possble to have a part time?
Even though it'll cost more money I'm willing to get both business and music educations just so I can fulfill my dream. And if it somehow doesn't work out, at the least I can work WITH music through business, like work for a music company, or possibly even work for GomTV or something related to SC2  (finance degree, not the managing/administrator kinds)
If someone can give me advice that would be greatly appreciated. I'm just an overwhelmed, confused senior that would like some light ^^
I've talked to the guys at my music lessons place and my teacher said if you wanna do performance you practice 6 hours a day and be lucky. However he didn't stress you have to be super lucky or that you had to be really good, too. I know there is some human aspect to it, like who you are connected to; friends help friends, stuff like that, so even if I'm not the best I have a chance, maybe that's why he only said "if you're lucky". But 6 hours, I could do part time job AND practice 6 hours a day, possibly doing other part time jobs involving music. Since I love playing, playing music 6 hours a day isn't like an extra 6 hours of work since I actually enjoy it. So I'm thinking if i eventually transition into full time music, then I could practice even more than 6 hours. After all usually people work 8 hours on a work day, and again, I have fun playing piano.
Anyway it seems most people here believe that you should do what you want. You have one life, why would you be scared to do what you want? So same can be said to OP I feel. But I would also like to know if you guys have actually experienced "real" life or if you are also just listening to your hearts. A presenter at my school, before her last presentation (she doesn't present past 10th graders at my school) gave a short speech but EMPHASIZED that you do what you love. She mentioned how people laughed at how she was going to get a history degree, but since she loved it, she had the determination and work ethic to accomplish what she dreamed of.
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I am also in kind of the same situation but worse. I consider to play online poker for a living since I have not really succeded in school and I don't understand the point of a 8-17 full-time job. I know it's very risky to not get the degree if I fail, then I'm pretty much screwed. I suggest that you take the degree first and then play SC2 for a living? I don't there are a lot of people who can focus on many things at the same time, not 100 %.
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On November 28 2011 08:06 GunSec wrote:
I am also in kind of the same situation but worse. I consider to play online poker for a living since I have not really succeded in school and I don't understand the point of a 8-17 full-time job. I know it's very risky to not get the degree if I fail, then I'm pretty much screwed. I suggest that you take the degree first and then play SC2 for a living? I don't there are a lot of people who can focus on many things at the same time, not 100 %.
I'm done with degree in 2 weeks or so. So degree first, then chase this is the plan.
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On November 28 2011 08:09 EtherealDeath wrote:Show nested quote +On November 28 2011 08:06 GunSec wrote:
I am also in kind of the same situation but worse. I consider to play online poker for a living since I have not really succeded in school and I don't understand the point of a 8-17 full-time job. I know it's very risky to not get the degree if I fail, then I'm pretty much screwed. I suggest that you take the degree first and then play SC2 for a living? I don't there are a lot of people who can focus on many things at the same time, not 100 %. I'm done with degree in 2 weeks or so. So degree first, then chase this is the plan.
Can you give more information about your background? How big your student loan is if at all, how much money you can expect to make first year of working, you are single right? and where do you live, like if it's expensive or not
Since you already have your education, I think you should go all in man. But working part time in the meantime or maybe just for a bit before you start could work too so you have some money. But idk what your situation is?
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On November 28 2011 08:41 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:Show nested quote +On November 28 2011 08:09 EtherealDeath wrote:On November 28 2011 08:06 GunSec wrote:
I am also in kind of the same situation but worse. I consider to play online poker for a living since I have not really succeded in school and I don't understand the point of a 8-17 full-time job. I know it's very risky to not get the degree if I fail, then I'm pretty much screwed. I suggest that you take the degree first and then play SC2 for a living? I don't there are a lot of people who can focus on many things at the same time, not 100 %. I'm done with degree in 2 weeks or so. So degree first, then chase this is the plan. Can you give more information about your background? How big your student loan is if at all, how much money you can expect to make first year of working, you are single right? and where do you live, like if it's expensive or not Since you already have your education, I think you should go all in man. But working part time in the meantime or maybe just for a bit before you start could work too so you have some money. But idk what your situation is?
Live in NC, not expensive, idk whatever CS majors get. I have 0 student debt, had scholarships, made slight profit each semester lol. And yes, single.
Though actually if I take this seriously I might be going somewhere else.... can't reveal too many details about it atm. But it's pretty inexpensive too.
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On November 28 2011 08:43 EtherealDeath wrote:Show nested quote +On November 28 2011 08:41 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:On November 28 2011 08:09 EtherealDeath wrote:On November 28 2011 08:06 GunSec wrote:
I am also in kind of the same situation but worse. I consider to play online poker for a living since I have not really succeded in school and I don't understand the point of a 8-17 full-time job. I know it's very risky to not get the degree if I fail, then I'm pretty much screwed. I suggest that you take the degree first and then play SC2 for a living? I don't there are a lot of people who can focus on many things at the same time, not 100 %. I'm done with degree in 2 weeks or so. So degree first, then chase this is the plan. Can you give more information about your background? How big your student loan is if at all, how much money you can expect to make first year of working, you are single right? and where do you live, like if it's expensive or not Since you already have your education, I think you should go all in man. But working part time in the meantime or maybe just for a bit before you start could work too so you have some money. But idk what your situation is? Live in NC, not expensive, idk whatever CS majors get. I have 0 student debt, had scholarships, made slight profit each semester lol. And yes, single. Though actually if I take this seriously I might be going somewhere else.... can't reveal too many details about it atm. But it's pretty inexpensive too.
Damn are you kidding! you have 0 debt lol o.o
Well if you go to Korea, hurray especially if you know korean or if u can join a foreign team (especially with a korean player) i thin that would be a great idea.
Unlike MANY others, you are already 1000 point protoss. That's already GM level. Meaning you can already be considered a semi-pro. From here on out it shouldn't be hard finding a good good competitive team to join, then attending some events, doing well in some small tournies, getting somewhat sponsored, then move to an even bigger team (possibly a big name team?) and from there on out that team might go move to korea (idk how it would work or if that's what you want, like idk if they would pay for you lol but i think they would).
Edit: But I guess what I was asking more for is this: do you have money to live on? enough for at least a year? i think a year is a decent amount of time to spend on sc2 to see where you get
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On November 28 2011 08:47 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:Show nested quote +On November 28 2011 08:43 EtherealDeath wrote:On November 28 2011 08:41 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:On November 28 2011 08:09 EtherealDeath wrote:On November 28 2011 08:06 GunSec wrote:
I am also in kind of the same situation but worse. I consider to play online poker for a living since I have not really succeded in school and I don't understand the point of a 8-17 full-time job. I know it's very risky to not get the degree if I fail, then I'm pretty much screwed. I suggest that you take the degree first and then play SC2 for a living? I don't there are a lot of people who can focus on many things at the same time, not 100 %. I'm done with degree in 2 weeks or so. So degree first, then chase this is the plan. Can you give more information about your background? How big your student loan is if at all, how much money you can expect to make first year of working, you are single right? and where do you live, like if it's expensive or not Since you already have your education, I think you should go all in man. But working part time in the meantime or maybe just for a bit before you start could work too so you have some money. But idk what your situation is? Live in NC, not expensive, idk whatever CS majors get. I have 0 student debt, had scholarships, made slight profit each semester lol. And yes, single. Though actually if I take this seriously I might be going somewhere else.... can't reveal too many details about it atm. But it's pretty inexpensive too. Damn are you kidding! you have 0 debt lol o.o Well if you go to Korea, hurray especially if you know korean or if u can join a foreign team (especially with a korean player) i thin that would be a great idea. Unlike MANY others, you are already 1000 point protoss. That's already GM level. Meaning you can already be considered a semi-pro. From here on out it shouldn't be hard finding a good good competitive team to join, then attending some events, doing well in some small tournies, getting somewhat sponsored, then move to an even bigger team (possibly a big name team?) and from there on out that team might go move to korea (idk how it would work or if that's what you want, like idk if they would pay for you lol but i think they would). Edit: But I guess what I was asking more for is this: do you have money to live on? enough for at least a year? i think a year is a decent amount of time to spend on sc2 to see where you get
Financially, I could do a year. On the other hand, I'm not sure if I would consider a year to be a reasonable time commitment if there are no deliverables by an earlier date, currently thinking August 1, in line with other considerations, which are currently under discussion so can't really mention yet.
Unfortunately I do not know Korean  . I can read it but I have like no vocab rofl.
Another thing, the June/July date I mentioned in OP was before I heard about this new development lol. What coincidences... so I'm thinking Aug 1 if I utilize this new development, otherwise it'd be the originally mentioned date.
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Thanks for the shoutout dude. My advice is, after you finish your Comp. Science degree, set aside one or two weeks, and just play for a solid 10-12 hours a day, every day. Weekends, maybe take it a few hours easier, but you have to still be on. If you get through that alright, and you're still willing to keep going, then maybe extend it to a year? However, you always want to set yourself a definitive finish date, and goals.
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On November 28 2011 13:22 tgun wrote:
Thanks for the shoutout dude. My advice is, after you finish your Comp. Science degree, set aside one or two weeks, and just play for a solid 10-12 hours a day, every day. Weekends, maybe take it a few hours easier, but you have to still be on. If you get through that alright, and you're still willing to keep going, then maybe extend it to a year? However, you always want to set yourself a definitive finish date, and goals.
Wow I never thought of that. I can apply that to my situation as well ^0^
Thanksss!!!
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Goodness, someone with a brain. I let out a sigh of relief when you said "I need to create a firm fail condition". I think anyone who gets really involved with sc2 gets the urge to want to go pro, and I think anyone who wants it should try it, but with strict and set goals and check points.
I personally considered it as well this past summer, with 1 year of college to go. I said I'll play during the summer (why not) and if I end summer in top masters(playing with GMs or known players) or GM, I'll try to go pro. At the time I was top plat edging into diamond, and I think if I had the capability to go from gold league to top masters in 5 months of total play, pro seems like a feasible option. I ended up low-mid masters, and my plan now is to graduate, get a job trading, and play casually. Still striving for top masters or to play a pro on the ladder, and I dream of running a successful stream, but acknowledging that I probably don't have the skill to be full pro, even though I am still VERY confident in my work ethic and willingness to learn, and 12 hours a day every day is cake walk(though I didn't do it for the 3 months of summer). That and I realize I would be unhappy with 30k a year until I was 35, (probably averaging to 40k with any wins/stream rev/sponsors/paid expenses) and not having any fully developed skills once I had to retire.
As long as you have a back up plan, and the risks are relatively small, I don't see a reason why you shouldn't pursue. Being able to test the waters is a wonderful opportunity to have.
If you decide to give it a go, I'm curious to see how you do. Shoot me a PM/make another blog in 6 months with the results? :D
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On November 28 2011 13:22 tgun wrote:
Thanks for the shoutout dude. My advice is, after you finish your Comp. Science degree, set aside one or two weeks, and just play for a solid 10-12 hours a day, every day. Weekends, maybe take it a few hours easier, but you have to still be on. If you get through that alright, and you're still willing to keep going, then maybe extend it to a year? However, you always want to set yourself a definitive finish date, and goals.
Yea will definitely do that. One thing about being a comp sci major is that having well-specified deliverables on laid out timelines is a most important thing XD.
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When I started college the first time...many many years ago, I was a theatre major.
I had a professor that told me, "I don't believe in backup plans." If you want to do this, you will put it on the line. If you have a "backup plan," you will never make it in the theatre.
I ended up dropping out, lol. However, if this is your passion, do it. Constantly re-examine and re-evaluate what you are doing. Be honest in your trying and when, with a clear head, not in the heat of the moment, can see it's time to stop, then stop.
Plans are great, but it is amazing how easily they can be disrupted. Work towards what you want and be honest with yourself. You wouldn't blindly follow a build order, despite what your opponent is doing. Go with the opportunities that open up and adapt.
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On November 28 2011 23:00 techempage wrote:
When I started college the first time...many many years ago, I was a theatre major.
I had a professor that told me, "I don't believe in backup plans." If you want to do this, you will put it on the line. If you have a "backup plan," you will never make it in the theatre.
I ended up dropping out, lol. However, if this is your passion, do it. Constantly re-examine and re-evaluate what you are doing. Be honest in your trying and when, with a clear head, not in the heat of the moment, can see it's time to stop, then stop.
Plans are great, but it is amazing how easily they can be disrupted. Work towards what you want and be honest with yourself. You wouldn't blindly follow a build order, despite what your opponent is doing. Go with the opportunities that open up and adapt.
Yep, my basic requirements until the first checkpoint are relatively fluid. The only iron-hard requirement is that by the time I reach the checkpoint, I'm in a position where at least my room and board are covered in a pro house. I really think I need to be in one if I'm going to all in on this.
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The economy sucks and you seriously want to delay finding a job to see if you can go pro. That is dumb. College isn't particularly time consuming. If you can't crack GM by now with all the free time that college affords, it isn't happening and a pro team isn't calling.
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At least you're getting a degree, and you're already in masters (much better than the "I'm going pro, dropping out of school...oh btw, I'm in Platnium league" heros), so it isn't that bad of an idea if you really want it.
Here is a little motivational quote from IdrA: (lol, I feel like I'm preaching a religion -- Grackenism)
On September 27 2010 12:19 IdrA wrote:
until the very very top, in almost anything, all that matters is how much work you put in, the only problem is most people cant work hard even at things they do enjoy, much less things they dont have a real passion for.
Also, IdrA said that the only way to get better is to play a lot. Don't do micro drills, macro drills, ect. Just play a lot of games. Simple as that.
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On November 29 2011 00:27 Hawk wrote:
The economy sucks and you seriously want to delay finding a job to see if you can go pro. That is dumb. College isn't particularly time consuming. If you can't crack GM by now with all the free time that college affords, it isn't happening and a pro team isn't calling.
My college free time hasn't gone heavily into 1v1 practice in Starcraft. Across all my accounts combined since release, I might have gotten enough games in to get a Tassadar icon (1k wins), maybe. Ladder has also been my primary source of 1v1 practice thus far, so by no means have I put in a huge effort in this regard yet. I don't believe I am near a hard plateau yet.
I know I am very close in skill with the lower end of GM. Other than by rating, I've played a lot of GMs/pros on ladder, in practice, in tourneys, and I've done quite decently. I do believe I can be GM within 3 months, maybe even faster if I can get a lot of really good practice partners who are a bit above my skill level.
Of course what I've said so far also brings into question commitment. As tgun suggested, I am going to experiment for a couple weeks to see if I can actually stick to a pro practice schedule. Only if that works will I go ahead.
I suppose the reason I am so reluctant to let go of this desire is that despite being a comp sci major, I've never really felt alive outside the sphere of competition, even since as a child. Coding and normal work just make me feel so dead really. Given some new developments, my current deadline would be August 1. I know no pro team is calling right now. If that's still the case on August 1, I will forget about all this and find a normal job.
As I said in response to a previous poster's question, I've got absolutely no student debt and this is financially feasible for me. Is the opportunity cost of trying this until August 1 really so great that I should simply abandon this dream before even attempting it?
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Talk to anyone who has graduated recently and is looking for a job. Yes.
Even if by some miracle you got recruited to a team over the people in GM, a couple hundred bucks a month in salary and meager winnings should you even emerge in the money in tournies vs what you could be making with a job and advancing yourself in a career, it is a no brainer
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On November 29 2011 03:28 Hawk wrote:
Talk to anyone who has graduated recently and is looking for a job. Yes.
Even if by some miracle you got recruited to a team over the people in GM, a couple hundred bucks a month in salary and meager winnings should you even emerge in the money in tournies vs what you could be making with a job and advancing yourself in a career, it is a no brainer
if you get accepted into a good/big team don't they actually house you?
@OP
I also have the hardcore spirit in competing. I love to win and when I lose something I feel very defeated lol. But it only motivates me to do better next time. Since you have that, I think you'll do well. 1 year is a good amount of time, I think, and I would say you are quite quite fortunate to be able to try your dream for 1 year. I also have the similar fear of working in a "boring" job, in something that doesn't interest me and that only makes me good money. I feel like it'll be like school 2.0 all over again, and I will hate waking up in the morning, and I will feel so unfocused at work.
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On November 29 2011 03:28 Hawk wrote:
Talk to anyone who has graduated recently and is looking for a job. Yes.
Even if by some miracle you got recruited to a team over the people in GM, a couple hundred bucks a month in salary and meager winnings should you even emerge in the money in tournies vs what you could be making with a job and advancing yourself in a career, it is a no brainer
I was actually going to write out a long-winded post of why your statement is fucking ridiculous, but I guess i'll settle for this;
Let people follow their fucking dreams, at least for a year. The effect of looking back and thinking "what if" is one of the worst fucking feelings and you can end up hating yourself for it. Alternatively, after you get your degree, you can pretty much fall back on it and get a job at any stage.
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On November 29 2011 08:01 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:Show nested quote +On November 29 2011 03:28 Hawk wrote:
Talk to anyone who has graduated recently and is looking for a job. Yes.
Even if by some miracle you got recruited to a team over the people in GM, a couple hundred bucks a month in salary and meager winnings should you even emerge in the money in tournies vs what you could be making with a job and advancing yourself in a career, it is a no brainer if you get accepted into a good/big team don't they actually house you? @OP I also have the hardcore spirit in competing. I love to win and when I lose something I feel very defeated lol. But it only motivates me to do better next time. Since you have that, I think you'll do well. 1 year is a good amount of time, I think, and I would say you are quite quite fortunate to be able to try your dream for 1 year. I also have the similar fear of working in a "boring" job, in something that doesn't interest me and that only makes me good money. I feel like it'll be like school 2.0 all over again, and I will hate waking up in the morning, and I will feel so unfocused at work.
Only very few teams have actual training houses. Actually, there is something of that nature in the works coming up that I will be involved in... which is why I've set to deadline to August 1. More on that soonish (in like a month or two).
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On November 29 2011 08:15 tgun wrote:Show nested quote +On November 29 2011 03:28 Hawk wrote:
Talk to anyone who has graduated recently and is looking for a job. Yes.
Even if by some miracle you got recruited to a team over the people in GM, a couple hundred bucks a month in salary and meager winnings should you even emerge in the money in tournies vs what you could be making with a job and advancing yourself in a career, it is a no brainer I was actually going to write out a long-winded post of why your statement is fucking ridiculous, but I guess i'll settle for this; Let people follow their fucking dreams, at least for a year. The effect of looking back and thinking "what if" is one of the worst fucking feelings and you can end up hating yourself for it. Alternatively, after you get your degree, you can pretty much fall back on it and get a job at any stage.
Yea, I really don't like the "what if" feeling, and this is the one thing right now that I feel I will have a very big "what if" later on life if I don't try it at all. I really feel like it will result in some normal, good, but boring job, because the one path I wanted to try most I ignored and tossed away.
Of course I always have to keep definite goals and deadlines in mind, or else things can snowball into something that it shouldn't be.
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On November 29 2011 08:25 EtherealDeath wrote:Show nested quote +On November 29 2011 08:15 tgun wrote:On November 29 2011 03:28 Hawk wrote:
Talk to anyone who has graduated recently and is looking for a job. Yes.
Even if by some miracle you got recruited to a team over the people in GM, a couple hundred bucks a month in salary and meager winnings should you even emerge in the money in tournies vs what you could be making with a job and advancing yourself in a career, it is a no brainer I was actually going to write out a long-winded post of why your statement is fucking ridiculous, but I guess i'll settle for this; Let people follow their fucking dreams, at least for a year. The effect of looking back and thinking "what if" is one of the worst fucking feelings and you can end up hating yourself for it. Alternatively, after you get your degree, you can pretty much fall back on it and get a job at any stage. Yea, I really don't like the "what if" feeling, and this is the one thing right now that I feel I will have a very big "what if" later on life if I don't try it at all. I really feel like it will result in some normal, good, but boring job, because the one path I wanted to try most I ignored and tossed away. Of course I always have to keep definite goals and deadlines in mind, or else things can snowball into something that it shouldn't be.
I agree, I am also set on "risking" things to achieve my dreams. After all, if you somehow find you don't wanna keep doing it, then you can happily live on your "fallback" knowing that it is a good thing you tried but realized it's not for you and without any regrets.
@ttgun
Perhaps it is a myth but my family/brothers have told me some people have problem finding jobs if they're not employed for a few years. Employers may think there is something wrong with you that other employers have found and hence you do not have a job. Is this mostly false? A lot of college registration deadlines are in a few days, so if I want to find any more colleges to apply to to suit my new plan of doing my dream and have a back up (music, and finance/business) now is the time to do that. If that "myth" is false as it seems to be according to your post, I will be GREATLY relieved and be able to move on forward with confidence and happiness <3
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On November 29 2011 08:40 Yoshi Kirishima wrote:Show nested quote +On November 29 2011 08:25 EtherealDeath wrote:On November 29 2011 08:15 tgun wrote:On November 29 2011 03:28 Hawk wrote:
Talk to anyone who has graduated recently and is looking for a job. Yes.
Even if by some miracle you got recruited to a team over the people in GM, a couple hundred bucks a month in salary and meager winnings should you even emerge in the money in tournies vs what you could be making with a job and advancing yourself in a career, it is a no brainer I was actually going to write out a long-winded post of why your statement is fucking ridiculous, but I guess i'll settle for this; Let people follow their fucking dreams, at least for a year. The effect of looking back and thinking "what if" is one of the worst fucking feelings and you can end up hating yourself for it. Alternatively, after you get your degree, you can pretty much fall back on it and get a job at any stage. Yea, I really don't like the "what if" feeling, and this is the one thing right now that I feel I will have a very big "what if" later on life if I don't try it at all. I really feel like it will result in some normal, good, but boring job, because the one path I wanted to try most I ignored and tossed away. Of course I always have to keep definite goals and deadlines in mind, or else things can snowball into something that it shouldn't be. I agree, I am also set on "risking" things to achieve my dreams. After all, if you somehow find you don't wanna keep doing it, then you can happily live on your "fallback" knowing that it is a good thing you tried but realized it's not for you and without any regrets. @ttgun Perhaps it is a myth but my family/brothers have told me some people have problem finding jobs if they're not employed for a few years. Employers may think there is something wrong with you that other employers have found and hence you do not have a job. Is this mostly false? A lot of college registration deadlines are in a few days, so if I want to find any more colleges to apply to to suit my new plan of doing my dream and have a back up (music, and finance/business) now is the time to do that. If that "myth" is false as it seems to be according to your post, I will be GREATLY relieved and be able to move on forward with confidence and happiness <3
As far as I understand, it would depend on the degree. While a lot of employers are hellbent on everyone having 3 years experience and whatnot, degrees in things like comp. science are changing very, very constantly and a lot of stuff becomes outdated very fast, thus why they value order degrees without experience less.
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On November 29 2011 08:15 tgun wrote:Show nested quote +On November 29 2011 03:28 Hawk wrote:
Talk to anyone who has graduated recently and is looking for a job. Yes.
Even if by some miracle you got recruited to a team over the people in GM, a couple hundred bucks a month in salary and meager winnings should you even emerge in the money in tournies vs what you could be making with a job and advancing yourself in a career, it is a no brainer I was actually going to write out a long-winded post of why your statement is fucking ridiculous, but I guess i'll settle for this; Let people follow their fucking dreams, at least for a year. The effect of looking back and thinking "what if" is one of the worst fucking feelings and you can end up hating yourself for it. Alternatively, after you get your degree, you can pretty much fall back on it and get a job at any stage.
There's plenty wrong with your statement too. The 'what if' feeling can occur no matter what you do. It's a moot point since you could feel that way about any course of action later down the track, and there's no way you can know whether you will.
I'm less inclined to go on the attack with this particular OP, though, since he sounds like he's given it a lot of thought and since he'll have a degree.
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On November 29 2011 09:59 Swede wrote:Show nested quote +On November 29 2011 08:15 tgun wrote:On November 29 2011 03:28 Hawk wrote:
Talk to anyone who has graduated recently and is looking for a job. Yes.
Even if by some miracle you got recruited to a team over the people in GM, a couple hundred bucks a month in salary and meager winnings should you even emerge in the money in tournies vs what you could be making with a job and advancing yourself in a career, it is a no brainer I was actually going to write out a long-winded post of why your statement is fucking ridiculous, but I guess i'll settle for this; Let people follow their fucking dreams, at least for a year. The effect of looking back and thinking "what if" is one of the worst fucking feelings and you can end up hating yourself for it. Alternatively, after you get your degree, you can pretty much fall back on it and get a job at any stage. There's plenty wrong with your statement too. The 'what if' feeling can occur no matter what you do. It's a moot point since you could feel that way about any course of action later down the track, and there's no way you can know whether you will. I'm less inclined to go on the attack with this particular OP, though, since he sounds like he's given it a lot of thought and since he'll have a degree.
And still giving it thought ><
I have a really really strong feeling that I will regret the "what if" for this particular thing should I choose not to try. I'm not one to have such feelings, and honestly I never have. But this is different... have been considering it for a while now.
I mean, what's the worst thing that could come out of this?
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It's just like Nal Ra's oldboy. Go for it.
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On November 29 2011 10:28 iSometric wrote:
It's just like Nal Ra's oldboy. Go for it.
Not quite... he had already won an MSL in the past lol.
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On November 29 2011 10:35 EtherealDeath wrote:Show nested quote +On November 29 2011 10:28 iSometric wrote:
It's just like Nal Ra's oldboy. Go for it. Not quite... he had already won an MSL in the past lol.
well i think the points is that he trained all that time, and didn't even get back in
So like you said, what's the worst thing that can happen? you don't have any huge student loans, and you have an education If you know CS I assume you know computer programming too? you could make websites for people on the side if you really need it, like either while you're focusing on sc2 or for while you look for a job if you give up sc2.
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With a few new developments soon to come in mind this morning when I woke up (they will start around jan-feb), I think I am now 99.9% certain I am going to go through with this, with August 1 being the deadline.
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EPT
