When I graduated high school and told people I was going to
school as a musical theatre major, it was and still is typical to get some
pretty bizarre reactions.
The worst was the follow up questions: What do you want to
do with that? So you want to be on Broadway? Why do you have to go to Ohio to
do that? As it turns out (to many
people’s disbelief,) my ultimate goal actually is to be on Broadway. I came to Ohio Northern University because it
has a pretty well recognized Musical Theatre program and I felt that it fit my
college/education needs.
A friend of mine in high school once sent out a tweet saying
that majoring in the arts is a complete waste of money because it is nearly
impossible to get a job after graduating.
Although it is rather challenging to get a job as a performer and is a
very risky/unstable career, he had no right to tell me that my creative field
is the wrong route in my career path. No investment in education is EVER a waste. No matter what major, especially for actors, every experience is beneficial and our education in college is certainly values. Just because we are passionate in creative, less academic fields, we
should not be belittled for being courageous and following our dreams.
My point is this: just because someone has what some people
may think is a “blow-off major,” it is important to realize that we work just
as hard, in not harder than students with other majors. Although some majors have amore difficult
time finding jobs right out of college than others, we all still have an
ultimate goal that can be achievable with the right attitude and work
ethic. Just because we may not be
spending hours studying in the Pharmacy building or have a billion math
problems for homework, our major is still academically demanding and
challenging and also involves endless hours in rehearsals and shows.
The lesson to be learned here: don’t judge a college student
by their major, because you never know exactly what they are really going
through unless you walk a day in their shoes.
You go Lani!
ReplyDeleteThough I may not have had as many bizarre looks as you have experienced just having a Public Relations major, I completely agree with you. Liberal arts takes just as much concentration, hard work and passion. No one should belittle a choice just because it was not something as "stable" as another major. If everyone was a pharmacist, doctor, or mathematician where would be the people being comedians and making everyone laugh, or singers and making people feel emotion through music? Like you said too, there is nothing wrong with mathematicians or doctors because they are greatly needed, but nothing is ever a "blow-off" major.
Just keep kicking butt and chasing your dreams. Hope to see your name on Broadway someday! :)
Haley,
ReplyDeleteIt is so great that you understand the struggle of being criticized for having a creative arts major! Thank you so much for your insight and support. It means a lot to know that us creative people get noticed. :) I wish you the best luck in chasing your own dreams, as well!
Yes! We have lost the meaning of success and value today. People equate those two words to money. The value of your college education is about becoming better citizens of the world and the success is based on how you honor that value.
ReplyDelete