Being a Full-Time Model vs. a Model With Other Interests

This post was inspired by a forum convo I had with another model. While venting about how I hated having to turn down a well-paying gig because of my new full-time job, she replied, "Well if you get so many well-paying gigs, then why don't you just do that full-time?" That got me to thinking about how many young girls, models or not, have this misconception that once you're a model, that's it and there's nothing else. In a perfect world, all models could model full-time and not have to get a regular 9-5. But this is far from a perfect world, as we all know.

For those of you who would have asked me the same question, ask yourselves this: do you really believe that modeling is the end-all and be-all of life? Do you believe that modeling is a 100% foolproof way of not ever needing a real job?

Just a little reality check: not all modeling gigs pay well. If you're lucky enough to get a handful of gigs a month, then yes, you stand to make really good money. But even modeling has its dry spells. Certain looks are only "in" during certain times of the year, so it isn't uncommon for a model to have to get a part-time or full-time job in order to support themselves and pay bills. Younger models who still live at home or are in high demand and are pampered by their agents don't have to deal with this as often if at all. Definitely enjoy that while you can because once you get out on your own, it's very rare that modeling alone will make the cut when it comes to paying bills and other living expenses.

What many models lack nowadays is common sense. Yes, it did hurt to have to turn down a well-paying gig so that I didn't get in trouble at my new job, but on the flip side, what good would it have done me to accept the gig and in turn, lose a well-paying, salaried job? While I would have the print job on my resume and a few hundred dollars in my bank account, I would have been out of a permanent, stable job that paid thousands of dollars a paycheck. See where the common sense plays in?

So don't be naive and think that if a model has a regular full-time job in addition to modeling, that they aren't successful as a model. Modeling has an expiration date on all of its models and no one is an exception to the rule...especially since not all of us make it to supermodel status that affords longer job security than other models. I would never want to be a full-time model who only lived in that bubble. It's much more of a benefit to me to be a "smart" model who has other interests and passions that allow me to do more with my life. My full-time job involves journalism, which is one of the careers I am passionate about and that will take me far as a backup when modeling doesn't work out anymore.

If you're going to be a model, so be it, but be a smart one that has other fields of interest to keep you going. Ignorant models who fulfill the stereotype are never appreciated in my book. Just because you're a model doesn't mean you have to act like one. No one wants to live paycheck to paycheck or not know where their next source of income is going to come from. Modeling does involve pounding the pavement and hard work, but I've paid my dues and while I may have to turn down a gig here and there, I'm still able to make good money doing something I love that will still be around long after my looks have faded and no one wants me to pose in front of a camera anymore.