Quote Originally Posted by stinkyattic
Work on your creative outlets.
Paint. Take art classes at a comm college or rec center at night.
Philly has lots of opportunites for an artist to learn.
When you have been at your job long enough to get promoted to management, they might actually pay for you to go to night school. Talk to your supervisor and let him or her know that you have ambitions beyond an entry-level job.
Make your job work for you financially NOW so you can pursue your hobbies and talents LATER.
I can't not emphasize the point you have to let your supervisor know you have ambitions beyond the job you are currently working.

Depending on the type of office job, it could be as dead-end as a waitress. It's important to be pro-active and express your ambitions.

You are young. Working in an office sucks when you around 18. I been there, it felt like I wanted to kill myself everyday. But the persistence paid off. For my age, I have a buttload of experience, I can handle the ways of an office better than college grads 2 years off the bat.

Also, not every office is treated equal. There are some office environments I'd refuse to work in. Like every area of employment, you have to keep looking until you find that right environment with the right people. You have to enjoy going to work everyday, seeing the same folks for 8-9 hours a day. I work a job that would be so boring to many, but I love going into work, because I see my peepz, and the environment is laid-back, and very little pressure.

Plus explore your benefits package. See if they have a tuition-reimbursement program. Take advantage of it too, if you get all As, you can get your degree for free.