| Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 99 (%) | Description: Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment. |
| Importance: 85 (%) | Description: Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs. |
| Importance: 82 (%) | Description: Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters. |
| Importance: 79 (%) | Description: Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion. |
| Importance: 78 (%) | Description: Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking. |
Bachelor Degree Careers and Jobs (jobs after undergraduate degree)
Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Bachelor's Degree with or without Certificates - All On One Page
Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Bachelor's Degree.
A bachelor's degree qualifies graduates for a wide range of professional, technical, and management-track careers across nearly every industry. For people who want to compare where a four-year degree can lead before choosing a major or job. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.
Here is a short Helper Video
.
This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Bachelor's Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.
Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Bachelor's Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.
Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.
Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.
Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).
Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.
Step 1 of 4: Select a Career
Leading Books About Bachelor's Degree Jobs ![]()
What jobs can you get with a Bachelor's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Bachelor's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Bachelor's Degree. - 255 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:
Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Bachelor's Degree) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)
Step 2 of 4: Find a Job
Job Listings for: Special Effects Artists and Animators.
Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career
Prepare for the "Special Effects Artists and Animators" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.
Description: Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Special Effects Artists and Animators":
U.S. Total Employment (2023):
62,400U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
72,300
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
9,900 (15.8%) Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
7,800
| Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 66 (%) | Description: Develop briefings, brochures, multimedia presentations, web pages, promotional products, technical illustrations, and computer artwork for use in products, technical manuals, literature, newsletters, and slide shows. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Script, plan, and create animated narrative sequences under tight deadlines, using computer software and hand drawing techniques. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Assemble, typeset, scan, and produce digital camera-ready art or film negatives and printer's proofs. |
| Importance: 49 (%) | Description: Create pen-and-paper images to be scanned, edited, colored, textured, or animated by computer. |
| Importance: 43 (%) | Description: Convert real objects to animated objects through modeling, using techniques such as optical scanning. |
| Importance: 39 (%) | Description: Use models to simulate the behavior of animated objects in the finished sequence. |
| Importance: 38 (%) | Description: Implement and maintain configuration control systems. |
| Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
| Importance: 96 (%) | Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
| Importance: 95 (%) | Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Importance: 91 (%) | Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Importance: 87 (%) | Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Importance: 80 (%) | Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Importance: 71 (%) | Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
| Importance: 70 (%) | Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
| Importance: 69 (%) | Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
| Importance: 61 (%) | Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
| Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below: |
|
| Assemble equipment or components. | |
| Convert data among multiple digital or analog formats. | |
| Coordinate logistics for productions or events. | |
| Create computer-generated graphics or animation. | |
| Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes. | |
| Draw detailed or technical illustrations. | |
| Maintain computer equipment or software. | |
| Maintain equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning. | |
| Operate photographic developing or print production equipment. | |
| Prepare film for distribution or use. | |
| Prepare production storyboards. | |
| Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 97 (%) | Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
| Importance: 86 (%) | Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Importance: 83 (%) | Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. |
| Importance: 81 (%) | Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. |
| Importance: 77 (%) | Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Importance: 76 (%) | Description: Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems. |
| Importance: 68 (%) | Description: Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems. |
| Importance: 63 (%) | Description: Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. |
| Importance: 59 (%) | Description: Geography: Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life. |
| Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 64 (%) | Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents. |
| Importance: 62 (%) | Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Importance: 54 (%) | Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility? |
|
| Importance (%) | Description |
| Importance: 52 (%) | Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Day-in-the-Life Summaries These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you? |
| Activity: Assemble equipment or components. |
| Activity: Create artistic designs or performances. |
| Activity: Create visual designs or displays. |
| Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures. |
| Activity: Maintain electronic, computer, or other technical equipment. |
| Activity: Maintain tools or equipment. |
| Activity: Operate industrial processing or production equipment. |
| Activity: Process digital or online data. |
| Activity: Set up equipment. |
|
Software Skills These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job? |
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| High-Priority Tech Skills | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Desktop publishing software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adobe InDesign | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphical user interface development software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Figma | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop Canva | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Office suite software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Office software | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Presentation software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft PowerPoint | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spreadsheet software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Excel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video creation and editing software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adobe After Effects | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Web platform development software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cascading style sheets CSS Hypertext markup language HTML | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Widely Used Tech Skills | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development environment software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unity Technologies Unity Unreal Technology Unreal Engine | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Autodesk Maya SideFX Houdini | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video creation and editing software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Premiere Pro Maxon Cinema 4D | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Emerging Tech Skills | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development environment software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| C | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Document management software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Acrobat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enterprise application integration software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extensible markup language XML | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics or photo imaging software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trimble SketchUp Pro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Object or component oriented development software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| C++ jQuery Python | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating system software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Apple macOS Microsoft Windows UNIX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Process mapping and design software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Visio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Web platform development software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AJAX JavaScript PHP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Word processing software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microsoft Word | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General Software Tools | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Computer aided design CAD software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Configuration management software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Perforce Helix software | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Desktop publishing software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| QuarkXPress | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Development environment software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Graphics or photo imaging software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Object or component oriented development software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Object-oriented programming languages | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video creation and editing software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Web page creation and editing software: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adobe Dreamweaver Google Sites Social media sites | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Web platform development software (scroll table below): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job? |
| Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed |
| A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. |
| Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. |
| Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators. |
| Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Education |
| Frequency of Attainment: 52.8 (%) | Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 39.7 (%) | Level of Education: Some College Courses |
| Frequency of Attainment: 5.4 (%) | Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 1.7 (%) | Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Education: Master's Degree |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.1 (%) | Level of Education: Less than a High School Diploma |
| Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work? |
|
| Frequency of Attainment (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience |
| Frequency of Attainment: 53.5 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 32.7 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 6.9 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 6.4 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: None |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.3 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years |
| Frequency of Attainment: 0.1 (%) | Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years |
| Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them? |
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Autodesk Certified User | |
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Autodesk Moldflow Insight Professional Certification | |
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Avid Certified Operator: Pro Tools | Music | |
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Avid Certified User for Pro Tools | |
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WOW Certified Web Designer Apprentice | |
Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)
This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Special Effects Artists and Animators". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.
Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.
Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.
There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.
Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Special Effects Artists and Animators
Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.
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