Question about entering the field.

Okay, I'm 18, just graduated high school, getting ready to start community college and I'm really interested in tattooing. I love the art, the method, the business, everything about it. I'd really like to pursue it as a career after I graduate with my gen eds out of the way. But I'm not sure as to how I should go about doing it. I'll be heavily involved in art classes and bulking up my portfolio for two years...but after that should I start the search for an apprenticeship, should I take one of these two week courses or should I just literally walk into a shop with my 'self-taught' bull shit and ask for a job. I just figured I'd ask you guys what you thought.

A fine arts degree will go along ways for getting your foot in the "door". If you want to get into the business...which by the way, A LOT of this business is utter bullshit...then ask around. There are a million corner shop ink slingers, who would love a cleaner...I mean apprentice. Take for instance, the apprentice from Miami Ink. He is a tube scrubbing, stencil drawing, errand boy. The they let him tattoo a girl, and it is horrible. The line work looks as if someone with parkinsons did it. Some shops are not worth your time or money. You are better off saving the money on good equipment and buy some how to books and surf youtube. Or take your time and do some recon work. Check local shops to see if any of their apprentices are any good. If there is none in the area, travel around. If you are serious about entering this industry, the first thing you need to have is commitment. Good luck in your future and your search

Working on your art is a definate step in the right direction, it helps with understanding shadows, highlights etc and if you have the ability and the means to go to college and learn more it is something that is never wasted. There are definately shops out there that will use you and others that can teach you what you need to know. Finding them is the hard part but they are out there-you just have to look. I seen the good and the bad and you really need to look at the resident artists work at the shop, their mannerisms and go with what you feel is right for you. THere are artists out there that are self taught as well-and some of them are truly incredible-but in all honesty when you learn this method without the guidance of experienced people you can take longer and make mistakes that can become very bad habits. I began my career as an artist by being self taught at first but found mentors along the way who showed me things I may never have discovered if it wasn't for them. The best advice is to do what you feel is right for you, find others to share information with and always continue to learn as much as you can. Best of luck!