Problem: Article: If you're really, really good and you've been seriously molded for professional play, consider getting an agent. They have the connections you need to get your name noticed and potentially be a part of next year's draft. They'll get your name out there and, hopefully, money in your pocket. That being said, if you get an agent during your college career, you lose your college eligibility – even if you don't get drafted. Consider this very carefully before you jeopardize the next couple years of your life. With an agent in tow, you'll likely sign up for the pre-draft camps at the NBA level. There, you'll make a ton of connections and get your name and your face known. If you can handle the pressure, this may be the exposure you need to turn pro. This will also grant you the opportunity to get feedback on your draft position, who's looking at you, and what your potential for getting drafted is. The only thing you can do in this situation is to keep calm and play your best. There are two rounds of the draft. One by one, players get chosen by teams, also one by one. In other words, you get one chance to get drafted. If you're willing to accept it, fantastic. If you're not, you could try being a free agent and go from there, or not play in the NBA.  If you're semi-okay with it, you could negotiate pay or terms of your contract, making it shorter if you're looking to leave sooner. However, not being willing to take what you're given is pretty rare. If you're a second-round draft pick, you may not make it onto the opening night roster. Know what you're in for and what the terms are before you assume anything. If you weren't picked for the draft or you were unhappy with the outcome of events, you could play for the D-league of the NBA or overseas. The D-league is similar to the minor leagues and you could, in theory, get pulled up into the NBA. Overseas, however, is a completely different story and a completely different machine. Your agent will help score an interview with this one and you could get picked to go somewhere exotic (or not so exotic) for the next year. If you're willing to move, it can be a pretty well-playing gig. Your odds of making it into any pro sport just aren't good. Point blank. Sure, it's possible, but you the odds aren't exactly in your favor. In fact, around 1% of all college players (men and women, though it's microscopically higher for men) make it to the pros. That means out of you and 99 others, only one person will get chosen. If you don't make it, you're in good company. Plenty of talented basketball stars still make a living out of their passion coaching, teaching at camps, or playing in different countries and different leagues. Just because you didn't make it professionally like you envisioned does not mean you have to give up your career.
Summary: Consider getting an agent. Attend pre-draft camps. Get signed. Alternatively, play for the D-league or overseas. Know that a staggering few make it professionally in any sport.

Problem: Article: Some provinces, such as Saskatchewan and Alberta, allow online transcript requests for secondary school (high school) transcripts. Check your province’s Ministry of Education website to see whether your province has this option.  You can usually pay via credit card for online transcript requests. Currently, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon provinces allow online requests.  New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island require you to contact your school. In Canada, the individual provinces are responsible for public education. If you attended secondary school at a public school in Canada, you can contact the school to request your transcripts. Most provinces have a school information finder on their Ministry of Education website that can help you find the contact information for public schools in that province. For example, Ontario’s school finder is here. Sometimes, individual schools maintain their records in a central office, rather than keeping them at the school. You may be referred to the school board if this is the case for your school.  The Ministry of Education websites for each province usually also have a school board finder to help you find contact information. For example, Ontario’s school board finder is here. If you left school more than 5 years ago, you’ll need to contact the school board. You’ll also need to contact the school board if you attended a public secondary school that is no longer in operation. Most private schools in Canada keep their transcript records on file at the school. If you attended a private school, contact your school to request a transcript. If you attended a private school that is no longer in operation, you will need to contact your province’s Ministry of Education with as much information as possible to request your transcripts.
Summary: Check if your province allows online requests. Contact the school if you attended a public school within the past five years. Contact the school board. Contact the private school.

Problem: Article: It could be at a craft store like Joanne's or Michael's, or you could be an intern at some sort of design studio. Get to know a gallery owner and volunteer to help with setting up shows, and you may eventually be hired to work at the gallery. Alternately, sell your art online at eBay or Etsy, sell portraits or pet portraits or landscapes in person off the easel, bring your portfolio to galleries, sell at art fairs, or science fiction or media conventions.  What type of art you do will affect where it sells best, and whether you're ready to make a living at art yet. The point at which good art supplies pay for themselves comes very fast, whenever you master at least one popular subject that non-artists like your work. This can be cartoon cats, dragons, cute manga animals or cute manga kids as easily as a fine art subject. Someone will offer to buy something. Sell it, give them that joy, even if you know you could have done it better. The connection they have with your drawing is real and emotional. Your technical criticism has more to do with your growth as an artist and less to do with the external value of your art. You're often its poorest judge, don't undersell yourself. To make a living in art, learn how to become self employed. There are many aspects to self employment that have nothing to do with how well you draw and paint, everything to do with how well you manage your money and time. If you prefer to set your own schedule, make all your own business and financial decisions, work well without supervision, plan, schedule, and complete major projects without any outside authority, the life of a full time self employed artist may be right for you. If it's not, then enjoy having a side income, and look for a related job where you have an employer, a steady check, benefits, and someone else responsible for all the business stuff. How much you need to earn to be happy in life is a lifestyle choice. If you have your health, you may not need a high income to be happy as a full time artist. If you have dependents or health issues, it may not be practical to go full time until you can earn a professional level income, pursue your career part time till it matches your job income.
Summary: Get a job (if you are old enough).

Problem: Article: This is the first stage of initiation, and you'll learn the basic principles of Freemasonry After you gain enough knowledge and put in some time, you'll work your way up through two more symbolic degrees. Before you can advance to the next degree, you must demonstrate proficiency in understanding the degree work you experienced. You'll delve deeper into the teachings of Freemasonry, especially as they pertain to the arts and sciences. To complete this degree, you'll be tested on your knowledge about everything you've learned so far. This is the highest level you can achieve, and it usually takes several months to get there. To get the degree, you must demonstrate proficiency in the values of Freemasonry. Your completion of the degree will be celebrated with a ceremony.
Summary:
Start as an Entered Apprentice. Advance to the Fellow Craft degree. Get a Master Mason degree.