2 answers
Azure
Student
Tustin, California
1
Question
Asked
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What should i do to be prepared for when i need money for like collage and high school?
I'm an 8th grader and I want to do voice acting. I already do it but i don't get paid for it. What should i do to get prepared for when i do want to do it to get paid?
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2 answers
Vianne Phan
Youth Development Teacher
62
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Vianne’s Answer
Hi Azure,
The biggest thing you can do right now is learn how money actually works while you’re young. Even in middle school, that looks like saving any money you get from birthdays or small jobs, opening a savings account with a parent, and getting used to not spending everything right away. When you get to high school, try to get some kind of part time job or consistent side hustle, even if it has nothing to do with voice acting. Colleges and scholarships do not care where the money came from, just that you are responsible and motivated. Also start paying attention to scholarships early. A lot of people wait until senior year and miss out, but some scholarships start as early as freshman year.
For voice acting specifically, think of right now as your training and setup phase. Keep practicing, record yourself a lot, and slowly work toward having a basic home setup. You do not need anything fancy. A decent USB microphone, a quiet space, and free editing software is enough to start. In high school, your goal should be building a small demo reel and learning how the industry works. That means understanding auditions, learning how to take direction, and getting comfortable hearing your own voice. You can also start learning about platforms like casting websites and how freelancers price their work, even if you are not ready to join yet.
When you do want to get paid, the transition should feel natural, not rushed. Start with small paid gigs like indie projects, student films, or online content creators who need voices. Learn how to communicate professionally, set boundaries, and understand your worth. It’s okay to start small, but do not work for free forever. The fact that you are already voice acting in 8th grade puts you way ahead of most people. If you keep practicing, learning about money, and slowly building your skills, you’ll be much more prepared for both college and getting paid for your work later on.
The biggest thing you can do right now is learn how money actually works while you’re young. Even in middle school, that looks like saving any money you get from birthdays or small jobs, opening a savings account with a parent, and getting used to not spending everything right away. When you get to high school, try to get some kind of part time job or consistent side hustle, even if it has nothing to do with voice acting. Colleges and scholarships do not care where the money came from, just that you are responsible and motivated. Also start paying attention to scholarships early. A lot of people wait until senior year and miss out, but some scholarships start as early as freshman year.
For voice acting specifically, think of right now as your training and setup phase. Keep practicing, record yourself a lot, and slowly work toward having a basic home setup. You do not need anything fancy. A decent USB microphone, a quiet space, and free editing software is enough to start. In high school, your goal should be building a small demo reel and learning how the industry works. That means understanding auditions, learning how to take direction, and getting comfortable hearing your own voice. You can also start learning about platforms like casting websites and how freelancers price their work, even if you are not ready to join yet.
When you do want to get paid, the transition should feel natural, not rushed. Start with small paid gigs like indie projects, student films, or online content creators who need voices. Learn how to communicate professionally, set boundaries, and understand your worth. It’s okay to start small, but do not work for free forever. The fact that you are already voice acting in 8th grade puts you way ahead of most people. If you keep practicing, learning about money, and slowly building your skills, you’ll be much more prepared for both college and getting paid for your work later on.
Stuart Ort
Manage a team of software developers
36
Answers
Boca Raton
Updated
Stuart’s Answer
When I was young, I looked for local part-time jobs. If you're good at certain subjects, you might tutor other students in your grade or younger. I did jobs like shoveling snow, mowing lawns, and babysitting. If you belong to a gym, they might offer you a part-time cleaning job. I also made a deal with my parents to earn money by helping around the house since I didn't get an allowance. If money is tight, consider volunteering in a voice acting program to earn a discount on fees instead of getting paid.