I want to get into entertainment, like acting,writing,or playing guitar. what to do in college?
i'm fourteen and i'm starting high school in the fall. it might seem like i'm a little young to be worrying about this stuff, but my school stresses finding what you are doing in college.
well, i really love acting (i've only been in school plays), and i really like playing electric guitar, bass guitar, and acoustic guitar. i would love to be in a band someday. (i've been playing for only 3 years). and i also really like writing stories.(not technical writing. but fictional stuff)
so what would i major in when i go to college? should i go to a college that is mainly about arts , or a regular university with an arts program? and how could college help me if i wanted to be in a band someday?
p.s. i should have no problem getting into many universities.i don't really like math or science, but i still have really really good grades and my high school's college planning-person was a little upset that i wasn't into being in the medical field or into a scientific carrier.
Those are very varied interests: Acting. Music. Writing (fiction).
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If you want to be successful, you should take only one of the three, and focus on it. The others can be hobbies, and after a time of being successful in one career, you may be able to branch out and integrate your other interests, or try them separately. If you try to do all three (as a career), you'll spread yourself too thin.
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All three of these are in the Arts. So, you need to be realistic. Unless you are one of the very lucky few in the extreme minority, you won't get paid very well.
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My education in college was for music. Most performers have 2nd jobs to supplement their income. They don't get any sort of retirement or health benefits from their music jobs(unless they're a school teacher). Music is their passion, and they travel a lot, and give up a lot of things for it. The ones that do music full time are typically teachers as well as performers. Unless they go to Hollywood or Nashville and get a job with a large corporation, rarely do Actors, Musicians, or Writers do those things as their primary means of income.
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That said, you can be a successful actress/musician/writer, but remember that it's not only how good you are...but it's equally about who you know. You need to be very good at networking. Go to a school that has a proven track record of turning out graduates in that field, and forge the contacts that you'll need to get your work/abilities considered for jobs/opportunities.
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Personally, I don't do much with music anymore. I do have a degree, but if I had to do it again, I would have gone for something more practical. (This happens to *a lot* of people with Arts degrees.)
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Some of my classmates in college did go with something more practical. A friend of mine was an amazing jazz saxophone player who currently plays with a touring jazz band. His major degree was in Communication, and he minored in Music. You could always follow his lead. Get a degree in a practical field that will make it easier for you to make a living while you pursue your passion on the side. (it's a lot easier to pursue a part-time arts career if you don't have to work a couple of minimum wage jobs just to put food on the table.) That passion could grow into a full time gig eventually. A degree in the Arts however, doesn't mean a whole lot to people on its own. As long as you have the skills and the contacts (like my saxophone friend above), you'll do fine in the long run no matter what subject your degree says. (Author John Grisham has a law degree, and there are countless others who did the same)
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In the end, it comes down to one question regarding the career: What sort of life do you want outside of the career? A family? $$? While many will tell you to do as your heart leads you, make sure that you consider the possible consequences of everything that will mean. You may love music/acting...but if in pursuing your career, you have no time for your family...or money is always tight and it's a challenge paying for food or health care...will you still be happy? Would it be worth it?
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But also remember that you're young yet, and have a long time to make that decision. I didn't know what I wanted to do when I was 14. So go join that band today, and have fun. Try acting in your school plays. Write some novels on the side. Try everything, and then after the newness has worn off...after you've seen how your passion can really be a lot of work if you want to improve and be the best at it....ask yourself if you can see yourself doing that for 40+ hours/week for the rest or your life.
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If not...you may be better off keeping your passion to a hobby, rather than something that you depend on to earn a living. Give it time. The best thing you can do now is try everything...and see what sticks with you.
Tony Harrison
technical scientific writing
technical scientific writing
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