What is value?

Everyone has their own idea of what value is, and even what their own value is. Some people believe that they deserve to be treated as professional artists as soon as they start, while others realize that they have to work to earn a title. My dream is to be a free-lance photographer and have my own studio, but I know that in order to make my dream a reality I have to strive in some jobs that I may not want. Majorities of people, no matter their profession, have to start at the lowest position and earn promotions. As you work your way through the field, you have to be able to show that you can make even the most boring jobs interesting and maybe even enjoyable. For artists, some of the jobs may not even have anything to do with art, but in society today everyone has to have a steady income to survive. However, when the jobs are in the art field, a true artist should be able to take any project given to them and make it their own. They should be able to add their own soul into a project, even if they are not excited about it. At the same time you should be keeping a portfolio, making contacts in other organizations, maybe even other fields of study.
Connections that are made throughout your life are of great value. Many of my own personal work opportunities have come from either connections I have made on my own, or connections my parents have introduced me to. I have jobs lined up for when I am home for breaks from college. I would not have these chances if it were not for the people I have met throughout my life. The old saying that who you know is more important then what you know can be true at certain times. Knowing the right people can get you a job, but being able to thrive in that position is what helps you retain that position or even raise you higher.
The value of everything changes over time. You have to be willing to change in order to keep your own value at its peak.