u/Comfortable-Wheel166

I’ve been seriously thinking about taking the UCLA Extension Introduction to Adobe Premiere class, but I wanted to ask for honest opinions from people already in editing/media.

For context, I currently work full time in healthcare and honestly don’t feel very fulfilled in my career anymore. I’ve always been interested in creative/computer-based work, and editing/video storytelling seems really satisfying to me. I’m especially interested in:
- short-form content
- cinematic/cozy edits
- wedding editing
- promotional/social media videos

The thing is, I’m basically a beginner. I also know I do MUCH better with structure/teachers/classes instead of trying to self-teach completely alone, which is why UCLA Extension caught my attention.

I know the class is around $800+, so I’m trying to figure out if this is a realistic investment or if I’m romanticizing the idea.

My questions:
- Has anyone here taken the UCLA Extension Adobe Premiere course?
- Was it actually helpful for beginners?
- Did it help you build connections/networking at all (even online)?
- What kind of part-time work can someone realistically get after learning Premiere?
- Is editing still a viable path even with the film industry struggling?
- Any advice for someone trying to slowly transition into creative work while keeping a full-time job?

Would really appreciate honest advice, especially from people who started later or switched careers. Thanks!

I’ve been seriously thinking about taking the UCLA Extension Introduction to Adobe Premiere class, but I wanted to ask for honest opinions from people already in editing/media.

For context, I currently work full time in healthcare and honestly don’t feel very fulfilled in my career anymore. I’ve always been interested in creative/computer-based work, and editing/video storytelling seems really satisfying to me. I’m especially interested in:
- short-form content
- cinematic/cozy edits
- wedding editing
- promotional/social media videos

The thing is, I’m basically a beginner. I also know I do MUCH better with structure/teachers/classes instead of trying to self-teach completely alone, which is why UCLA Extension caught my attention.

I know the class is around $800+, so I’m trying to figure out if this is a realistic investment or if I’m romanticizing the idea.

My questions:
- Has anyone here taken the UCLA Extension Adobe Premiere course?
- Was it actually helpful for beginners?
- Did it help you build connections/networking at all (even online)?
- What kind of part-time work can someone realistically get after learning Premiere?
- Is editing still a viable path even with the film industry struggling?
- Any advice for someone trying to slowly transition into creative work while keeping a full-time job?

Would really appreciate honest advice, especially from people who started later or switched careers. Thanks!

I’ve been seriously thinking about taking the UCLA Extension Introduction to Adobe Premiere class, but I wanted to ask for honest opinions from people already in editing/media.

For context, I currently work full time in healthcare and honestly don’t feel very fulfilled in my career anymore. I’ve always been interested in creative/computer-based work, and editing/video storytelling seems really satisfying to me. I’m especially interested in:
- short-form content
- cinematic/cozy edits
- wedding editing
- promotional/social media videos

The thing is, I’m basically a beginner. I also know I do MUCH better with structure/teachers/classes instead of trying to self-teach completely alone, which is why UCLA Extension caught my attention.

I know the class is around $800+, so I’m trying to figure out if this is a realistic investment or if I’m romanticizing the idea.

My questions:
- Has anyone here taken the UCLA Extension Adobe Premiere course?
- Was it actually helpful for beginners?
- Did it help you build connections/networking at all (even online)?
- What kind of part-time work can someone realistically get after learning Premiere?
- Is editing still a viable path even with the film industry struggling?
- Any advice for someone trying to slowly transition into creative work while keeping a full-time job?

Would really appreciate honest advice, especially from people who started later or switched careers. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m currently a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) working full-time, but I’ve been really wanting to get into the film/production industry. I don’t have any background in film, no connections, and honestly I feel like I have no chance of landing a Production Assistant (PA) job right now.

I’ve been looking at sites like Staff Me Up, but it feels overwhelming and I don’t understand a lot of the terms. I also see a lot of posts online (especially on Facebook) that feel like scams, so it’s hard to know what’s real.

I’m considering going to film school just to get connections and some kind of direction, but I’m not sure if that’s the right move or if I should try to get experience first. My availability is limited (mostly Saturdays), and I can’t quit my full-time job.

For those of you who started with no experience:

Is it realistic to get into production without school?

How did you land your first PA or entry-level job?

Are there better ways to get started (especially with limited availability)?

Is film school worth it for someone in my situation?

I’m willing to start from the bottom and learn—I just don’t know what the most realistic first step is.

Any advice would really mean a lot. Thank you.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) working full-time, but I’ve been really wanting to get into the film/production industry. I don’t have any background in film, no connections, and honestly I feel like I have no chance of landing a Production Assistant (PA) job right now.

I’ve been looking at sites like Staff Me Up, but it feels overwhelming and I don’t understand a lot of the terms. I also see a lot of posts online (especially on Facebook) that feel like scams, so it’s hard to know what’s real.

I’m considering going to film school just to get connections and some kind of direction, but I’m not sure if that’s the right move or if I should try to get experience first. My availability is limited (mostly Saturdays), and I can’t quit my full-time job.

For those of you who started with no experience:

Is it realistic to get into production without school?

How did you land your first PA or entry-level job?

Are there better ways to get started (especially with limited availability)?

Is film school worth it for someone in my situation?

I’m willing to start from the bottom and learn—I just don’t know what the most realistic first step is.

Any advice would really mean a lot. Thank you.