First off did you read our
FAQ?
My advice is always get all the education
you can afford. Don't get more education than you can afford or you may have such large debts you won't be able to afford to work in the industry. The truth is that you don't need any sort of certificate for an entry
level job, you just need to find someone who needs their cable coiled and help checking in and out their rental
stock. Will this lead to a great career? Maybe. The less education you have, the more luck and hard work you need to make a career out of it. However, don't feel bad if you can't afford an expensive degree. If money is tight go to a close state university and live at home. :
shock: If that's still too much, look for a community college that has a good drama program with a good TD and just get in and offer to do all the sound you can for everything in the campus theater. I know of two community colleges in the Seattle area here that offer some cool audio classes. No, it won't be a degree from an amazing institution, but it will be enough to get your
foot in the door and get you started. The fact that you plan to move to a city with a lot of work helps too... although Chicago isn't a bad place to start.
The truth is 5 years after college, no one will care where you got your degree and most wont even care what it is. They will want to know who you worked for and what you have done since college. Your work record will rapidly become more important than your transcript. So find a degree that you can afford and complete it. Then get out there and bust your
butt working.
By the way, don't wait for college to end before you get to work work. Get out there and volunteer right now at your local community theater to run sound. Find ways to work,
network with people, and impress them with your skills and dedication. You'll be amazed at the doors it opens.