Over the next years, I have quite a lot of options ahead of me. One of the biggest things happening within the year of 2023 is that I will be finishing my Level 3 College course and will have to move onto other jobs from there, though quite a big step I do believe I have done enough research into other options that I should have a good idea of what I can and can't do. So the following will be using all my research to help push me in the right direction, so without further adue, this is my rough outline of ideas for me to go into over the next 1 Year, 5 Year and 10 years...

Freelance

Within the next year, like I said before, I will be finishing my Level 3 Course. So with that under my belt, I can start using the knowledge I have learnt at the course to start picking up unique and potential jobs which become available. Though I currently work as a Multimedia expert for Midlands Managed Properties, this does not mean I can not pick up work on the side, such as doing headshots, volunteering on off-days, working on my own website etc...

Through my extensive research in my career's page, upon freelance work & self employment within different careers, I have quite a few options. If i continue working where I do now as my main job, I can spent my free time trying to outreach my social media to different local comanies and sell my local services. Not only will this bring me more work due to network, it will also help me spread my name around locally, this also includes continued upkeep of my Social Media profiles: Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Vimeo (Youtube later on)

Whilst also maintaining my Social Media, advertising my work to local services, whether this be through: Upwork, Freelancer, Guru, PeoplePerHour, Hubstaff Talent, Fiverr, etc. I could also start uploading my work to different microstock websites, such as iStock, Dreamstime, Adobe Stock or Shutterstock.

A different way to go about this would be to start networking with different wildlife agencies, seeing if there are any opportunities available for Photographer/Videographers within the UK. Though for this position, I may need to learn a bit more about Outdoor survival/wilderness skills.

Something I do wish to do within the next year, will be to get a valid UK driving license and take lessons. Though this does not mean, own and have a car, but just the fact that I can legally drive a car and can travel to far locations if it is needed for a job/work assignment and not need to rely on others.

University

When it comes to University, I don't believe it is essential for the role I am aiming for to get a degree, but also through my research, I don't believe I will require the full 3 years of extra education plus a degree. Though networking with other talented Photographers is something I absolutely love and will definitely do in the future by going to events for media, I don't believe I will go to University within the next year.

I have already acquired a certificate in digital marketing, to authentic my knowledge within the aspect of digital marketing, with in the concept of SEO and Slugs, reference to: Research: Education

Within the next year, I may start volunteering with animal/wildlife agencies around my local area in the UK which would require me to do a bit more research into to find, but this is incase I do wish to go to Uni for a BSc in Zoology to get into Wildlife photography. (Which is not out the picture) Though my primary goal, if I do indeed head into further education would solely be to learn a bit more in a sector I'm interested in or network with potential future colleagues and get a good connection with each.

Another option is to apply for the University of Leeds for a photography course, which I also anaylsed in my research into further education. This course would be something that would interest me and allow me network with other individuals who are interested in the same topic I am but I would definitely have to think about it even more.

One more option is to apply for eSports Production at Confetti Institute, though not top of my list, it would allow me to expand my knowledge into a new and interesting sector whilst still allowing me to network & evolve my skills as a media expert.

A bit reason why I am not comfortable going to Uni right now is definitely money. Money being that I currently live with my partner in a flat together, both paying £375 each month on rent. If I were to go to University, I would not only have to find a new way of consistent income, but also pay for bills & housing for Uni, increasing my needed hours of work which does not allow me to fully commit myself fully to 3 years of college and my main worry is burn out. Find my pros and cons which further my decision at the bottom of the research page.

Gap year

I don't believe I will take a gap year which basically says I will take a year from studying to go to Uni the next, but it does not rule it out as an option. Though most likely not to happen, if I were to take a gap year, it would be to explore the world and travel a bit more, expanding my portfolio as a traveling blogger & for me to get the licenses I would need such as driving liscnce.

So after numerous routes which can be followed, I have decided on going with a more freelance route. This decision is because Uni is definitely not a priority right now and being able to fully afford for my family is, I don't have the time or money to invest fully into a course which is not necessary for my future or housing in a city which I don't live.

So my choice is to work in the freelance industry on the side, updating my social media and keeping an evolving presence, as I work for Midlands Managed Properties to help provide for my partner and our living situation. Allowing me to help save up enough money to invest in an eventual Sony FX3 or Sony A6100, possible A6100 first. I will also get a driving license in this time, as I will have more time now, as I have finished college by then. Working alongside my current role within the company, producing material for media and helping me expand my professional portfolio and equipment I understand.

In the future I will try to out different types of cameras via renting to help evolve my knowledge of equipment, possibly trying out a Red and learning how to effectively use it. I would also like to go to a few events surrounding photography, allowing me to meet like minded individuals like myself and having the ability to network.

Freelance / Saving to travel

So this will pretty much the same as the previous freelance part, doing work when asked and sourcing projects for people and helping out where I can. Though at this point the grants by the BFI might be available and if I have a strong enough idea I feel comfortable tackling, I will attempt to my that theme or peace into a reality. Whilst on the side, still uploading to stock websites for the extra cash a month.

I will also be spending my free time doing photography or random videography pieces, hopefully full time working for an agency as a video editor for a stable income but flexibility. Will be visiting events to help boost my networking skills and posting frequently on social media

Networked for traveling job

Though I don't believe at this point I would have to funds, connections or stability in my life to comfortably travel, leaving my family at home, it's definitely a possibility. For this, I would have made connections and "harassed" (in a friendly way) National Geographic or another similar org to have them take me under their wing. Maybe even have expanded my horizons for such companies as: WorldNomads Who would pay me to travel and make articles, or maybe a similar company.

Though definitely a lot less options & concrete ideas than my first year plan, you can see it is pretty much a carry over from that. With keeping up the idea of a sustainable income, whilst looking for opportunities to expand my portfolio. For what I will roughly be doing is, going to different photography/media events to help spread the knowledge of my brand & helping out local businesses in my current city I reside in.

Hopefully by this point I will under a org with a sustainable income to help benefit my ideals as a photographer, whilst doing personal projects on the side. Hopefully by this point, my social media would have a large enough following to help keep up on mass trends and get enough brand deals and recognition from the wider masses. With seeking out courses or opportunities to learn and engage with the newer age of media professionals, seeking out film festivals & submitting my pieces for awards. Doing stock photography, working under an agency, doing social media engagment & keeping up with the latest SEO and technology.

Freelance

The same as previous, working a freelance media professional, offering my services to a much larger demographic and extending my reach to bigger and bigger companies and products. Keeping up with social media & stock photography and hopefully signed long term to agencies.

Long term contracts

Now this one is not something I would mind, and is hundred percent an option which I am open to but definitely not something that I have forthought of wanting to really go into. Long term contracts as a cameraman, lighting engineer, sound engineer or editor would definitely be interesting and something I would not mind dabbling in if I was offered the opportunity. This come to fruition through my film festival networking or frequent submitting.

Travel the world with partner

This would be the dream & something I would adore to do. Traveling the world, in a small renovated camper van, doing photography & videography for my social media whilst doing the occasional project to promote a brand or get paid by a business. Using solar power to help keep a secure power supply in the van, traveling Europe, doing photography and taking up new and interesting pieces.

University

Depending on the choices which were made till this point & if I feel unsatified with where my life has been heading, I may choose to go back to University at this time in my mid-30s, which is somewhat scary to say and talk about but it definitely is a option which is available for me in the future in case I wish for a career change.

Now this is that part where I talk about my dream, how I'm going to actually achieve it and how exactly I would go from there. For my dream and my plan, by my early 30's, I wish to have enough money to have bought a large van and renovated it with solar power technology to travel Europe or the world with my partner. I would have bought an FX3 or hasselblad xpan by this point and would have substantial follower base on my social media, mainly my YouTube, through mainly my advertising and constant collaborations. I would consistently keep an eye of trends and connect with agencies to do brand deals and hopefully with my connection, they would also contact me.

I would use my skills to Vlog/Blog & Support my career as a media professional, whilst also supporting the environment with hopefully using an electric van, if publicly available at that time. I would also like to have been contacted & be in contact with many wildlife agencies to help promote projects or be apart of projects to help bring awareness to animal/wildlife/ecology in a certain region.

I may also look into going to university at this time, if my situation is not as perfect as I wish it to be and have the option to switch my career more to a day to day basis.

At this time, I would have married my now, partner. Be financially stable enough to allow basic "freedom" in a way and be able to support most creative endeavours we wish to follow at the time. Working for wildlife or volunteering for conservation projects around the world & learning about new and interesting cultures, expanding my knowledge and learning even more.

Though I would also be happy & willing to take any short term contracts for job/work within a film & media industry if the option were to arrive, helping me to network and learn even more than I already am. Even if I don't get a full term contract in the industry, I will still be investing in all different forms of cameras and exploring different ways of portraying emotions on the smaller big screen.

And most of all, just be content & happy within my place in the universe.