10 days ago, I graduated from my MFA acting program.

It was an exciting day filled with gravitas and appreciation for the serious and studious undertaking I had just completed.

...or maybe I walked across the stage to receive my diploma from CalArts in a Where the Wild Things Are wolf suit.

I'm a grown up with an advanced degree!

As I'm shifting from school into the "real world," a few big questions loom before me. Top of the list of course, is "where will I live?" and "how will I pay the bills?"

I'm very excited to stay in LA. I know where I would like to move towards in my acting/writing career - applying for a TV writing position, working on my own pilots and screenplays in the meantime, and auditioning for TV/film work while also developing my own improv troupes.

Unfortunately, none of those things actually pays money right away.

Make That Money!

I've talked about survival jobs before. I think it's funny (read: slightly alarming) that as an acting student, we had actual classes dedicated to "how you're going to make money - because you ain't gonna make money acting right away, if ever."

An actress playing a broke person. She's going method on this one.

For me, I got pretty lucky: I got hired to a great "day job" a couple days ago with a cool little company that's doing big creative things.

Many actors approach a survival job with the mentality of "I'll do anything." While that is great to an extent, it's important to define parameters that work for you. It's no use to have a day job that leaves you so exhausted, frustrated, or busy that you can't actually pursue your primary goals.

When looking for a day job that allowed me to pursue my writing/acting career, there were a couple key points I wanted to secure:

Flexibility

This is not me. (I wish.)

Any survival job has to be flexible in scheduling. I really wanted something that would let me duck out to a last minute audition or pitch meeting. In this regard, the "stereotypical" acting jobs all fit the bill - any waiter/waitress position that lets me have others sub in would be nice. Thinking more outside the box, this also includes jobs that have you working from home, or commission based jobs that you complete in your own time (web / graphic design work jumps to mind).

Not Exhausting

This, sadly, IS me.

An actor friend of mine worked a retail night shift job. In one sense, this was brilliant - it completely cleared his daytime schedule. An empty agenda is the most flexible agenda! For me though, I knew something like that wouldn't work; I liked sleeping. I didn't want a job that would leave me zonked out or too tired at the end of the day to rehearse, take classes, run lines, look for auditions etc. This encompasses both physically exhausting, and mentally exhausting work. If I'm constantly thinking about and worrying about my day job, I know I won't have the focus to concentrate on my acting career.

Good Pay

A teacher's annual salary.

I really didn't want to work for $8 an hour. If you have a secondary skill, it helps a LOT. Think creatively; nannying, graphic design, teaching, life-coaching, sales, all pay a little more than $3.40 plus tips.

BONUS LEVEL

Those were my three baseline considerations. I also would've loved if the job had...

Good Perks

Er, not those perks.

I mentioned nannying before. The cool thing about that job is it can also mean having free room and board sometimes. It also could equal travel, and may even provide a source of inspiration for writing (rich family drama whoo!) A job teaching also has the perk of helping you hone your own skills. Bartending could be a place for inspiration and to meet people outside your normal social circles.

Whether the perk is financial or creative, it's nice to find a job with added value.

In the Industry

Do tell...

A friend of mine works as a PA on the set of Two and a Half Men. Another friend works as a runner. Another is a tour guide at Universal Studios: Hollywood. A buddy is a Jedi in Disneyland. (Yes, really. Yes, I'm a little jealous.)

It's nice to work in your field, even if it's not directly related to the area you want to work in. I'm always a big proponent of working in jobs not in your metier; the added perspective is hugely beneficial (and as an actor you'll have a better idea of who to ask where the craft services are and who not to piss off).

Creatively Engaging

A job that lets you flex your creative muscles can be great. I know for me, creative work leaves me feeling more fulfilled. Plus, it's great to stay sharp, even if that creativity is only distantly related to acting/writing.

It's All Balancing Act

It's rare to find a job that scores a 10/10 in all those categories. Maybe a job scores 8's in all categories but the pay is kind of low. Or maybe a job pays stupid good money and is super flexible, but will be utterly exhausting to do. The trick is to find the give and take.

(Just remember to take more than give.)

What are some of your favorite survival jobs, past and present? Are there any other factors that you look for in your work?