Hi, I’ve recently been looking at some comments in different Reddit’s about how some people regret getting into this career, or maybe they should have studied something else, or how being a VFX artist is basically the meaning of a worker being exploited, etc.

Gotta say that those comments I’ve seen them just one or two times on here but mostly in other reddits is where I see this type of comments, and I just wanted to bring the conversation in here.

Quick context, I live in Mexico and I’m studying in a university, everything related with vfx ( Maya, Blender(if needed), Houdini, and Nuke. So my Plan is being basically a generalist but focusing first more in simulations or compositing (still deciding love both) anyways, the thing here is that I’m really enthusiastic about my future career as a whole and my “realistic” plan is when graduating from university, to work one or two years in VFX studios in Mexico and then shoot my shot to major companies in other countries, mainly Canada. Now, I don’t know if I’m being to idealistic lol or if is that hard to apply to other companies while being a foreigner. I feel like I should put my expectations down, But really don’t know how to feel about the future when finishing University. I just want to have a good life doing what I like and inspiring others, but really don’t know the status of the industry (or even being a freelancer) and it makes me search for something else to have a career on.

I wanna ask you guys how’s the status in the industry ? From an objective point of view. Is it really lacking of jobs ? (In general freelancing, films, advertisement, tv, video games, etc.) Is it really that hard for a foreigner trying to get into the industry ? (Meaning to apply for companies out of my country and they accepting me ) Is it really that the workplace environment is that bad and unhealthy ? (Meaning about the burnout of work and I’ve heard a lot that at least in vfx for video games the environment is pretty toxic ) Is the payment really worth it compared to the work load ? ( I know that being a junior doesn’t leave much I guess, but I’m asking to someone that is mid or senior ) Is it AI really a factor that would make harder for vfx artists to find a job ?

Sorry if the post is too long, lol just wanted to bring out those inquires I had about this industry. Thanks for reading anyways.