Hi All
I’m reasonably new to this site and am seeking advice from designers such as yourselves.
I’m currently enrolled in a two year course, in which I have already completed a year and have obtained a HNC, however my problem is that I don’t know whether to go back in September or not.
I keep reading and hearing everywhere that the portfolio is more important that the qualifications in this industry, which is why I don’t know if I would be wasting my time going back to college. I returned to college last year as a mature student after working for two years in the IT/Marketing industry. I really enjoy Graphic Design and Illustration and I feel I would earn more by getting a job in an agency rather than go back to college.
However my lecturer has informed me that I will find it near impossible to secure a job in the design industry at the moment due to the financial situation the country is in at the moment, at that I would be best going back to college for a year and then looking.
I have knowledge of working in a design agency and I undertook a placement at one, however since I went there the creative sector has been cut by 80% which is perhaps confirming that my lecturer is right that now really isn’t a good time to be looking for a job.
I feel that I am perhaps wasting my time going back to college however, as my lecturer has told us that we have learnt the main principles of design and that next year will be solely on building up our portfolio, however I already have a substantial folio due to the freelancing work I have been doing on the side as well as personal projects that I have created. I also feel I have taught myself more than what college has, as I have taught myself HTML, CSS, ActionScript 3.0, Maya and Zbrush on top of the main computer design packages that I already new such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Quark.
The course I am on at the moment is classed as fulltime but only lasts for 3days a week and even then it’s not a full day. Also there are less than 5 other students on the course so it’s hard to bounce creative idea about!
I guess I really don’t know which direction to go, although deep down I feel I would benefit more from employment.
If any of you creative people could shed any light on what the industry is like at the moment, any advice and what you think my best option would be, I would be most grateful.

Thanks in advance
Ps. Sorry this is a bit long winded!