I sympathise with your problem, Shane. My degree was in English; and like your degree there is little obvious connection with the labor market even in the best of times.
You have a big advantage over me in that you actually figured out roughly what you want to do - photography.
I don't suppose the time in Walmart has been entirely wasted - many photographers here have a problem with merchandising and you have seen it from the sharp end and with the best merchandisers in the business. However, enough is probably enough, and time to move on.
Practically speaking you need a starter job with a photographer/studio so you can learn your chosen trade. I guess you have already trawled your locality to see if anyone needs a low paid grunt, so maybe you now need to look further afield. These starter jobs are rarely advertised so you'll need to get a relevant cv and do some phoning and mailing. Dgrin may even be a place to start looking - there are a lot of pro-photographers here who might want an apprentice - but then you need to ask a straight question, easy link to a focussed portfolio, and describe the skills you DO have - post, web design, copy, admin, sales?
Remember that apprentices start off doing the work the pro does not want to do, so your days might be laborious in the beginning - but not much worse than Walmart, I imagine. You'll be learning in the environment of your choice.
Good luck! You will need a break, but breaks tend to come more often for those who are making the calls.
Please don't slag me off for my somewhat patronizing advice. And forget all that stuff about the economy. When I got my break the unemployment rate in my country was over 20%, inflation was 25%, and those lucky enough to have a job were being taxed at 70%. Follow your dream, please. The economy will sort itself out.
Comments
You have a big advantage over me in that you actually figured out roughly what you want to do - photography.
I don't suppose the time in Walmart has been entirely wasted - many photographers here have a problem with merchandising and you have seen it from the sharp end and with the best merchandisers in the business. However, enough is probably enough, and time to move on.
Practically speaking you need a starter job with a photographer/studio so you can learn your chosen trade. I guess you have already trawled your locality to see if anyone needs a low paid grunt, so maybe you now need to look further afield. These starter jobs are rarely advertised so you'll need to get a relevant cv and do some phoning and mailing. Dgrin may even be a place to start looking - there are a lot of pro-photographers here who might want an apprentice - but then you need to ask a straight question, easy link to a focussed portfolio, and describe the skills you DO have - post, web design, copy, admin, sales?
Remember that apprentices start off doing the work the pro does not want to do, so your days might be laborious in the beginning - but not much worse than Walmart, I imagine. You'll be learning in the environment of your choice.
Good luck! You will need a break, but breaks tend to come more often for those who are making the calls.
Please don't slag me off for my somewhat patronizing advice. And forget all that stuff about the economy. When I got my break the unemployment rate in my country was over 20%, inflation was 25%, and those lucky enough to have a job were being taxed at 70%. Follow your dream, please. The economy will sort itself out.