As children, we're all told to dream big when it comes to our futures. Everyone commended us when we said we wanted to be the first singing lawyer to walk on the moon or be an ice-cream truck driving president. So, how come now, when we tell people we're at school studying things like film, fine arts, journalism, theatre, music, communications, etc., they cringe? Our ideas for our future have only become more realistic. They may seem unstable and difficult to achieve, but that doesn't mean you should go around throwing these highly frustrating, slightly ignorant comments in our faces.
1. "You have such an easy class schedule, lucky!"
Ah yes, buying $200 worth of equipment for one class, staying up until 1 a.m. in the studio working on a project for another class, cutting an entire audio segment in the lab for a different class and managing to pull off at least a B in gen-ed biology. What a breeze!
2. "What are you going to do with that degree?"
Oh, you know what, we hadn't really thought about that. Maybe we'll turn them into lovely placemats at the dinner table, or perhaps use them as Kleenex during flu season? Or, I guess we could use them to GET JOBS LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.
3. "I hear that's really great as a minor instead, or even just a hobby."
Is it really so wrong to major in something you actually enjoy and find pleasure in doing? Is it really so wrong to be good at something that you also thoroughly enjoy? If I am to do something every day for the rest of my life, I for one sure hope it's something I can find amusement in.
4. "You should major in something more legitimate with content."
True. I'll just spend four years cramming to squeeze in 47 credits of geography so I can use that to...help a lost tourist on the street of Manhattan on my way to my job that has absolutely nothing to do with geography.
5. "Do you really need to go to school for that though?"
Yes. I personally would like to learn all that I can about the field of work that I will be thrown into the moment I am handed my diploma. Yes. I would like to educate myself on the skills I should have before I show up to work not knowing how to use the equipment or the techniques requested of me so...yes. Thank you.
6. "You know, not everyone makes it big."
It all depends on your definition of what it is to "make it big." Would having a giant statue built in my honor or getting a country named after me be awesome? Yes. But clearly that is not the ultimate goal of each of our lives. Just like you with the economics degree or you with the chemistry degree, I'd be content with a job that makes a difference.
7. "That's a job?"
Painters, actors and journalists aren't the only occupations you can have in the arts field. It takes an average of 600 people to produce a Hollywood film. Sometimes up to 3,000. So you could say there are a few different jobs going on behind the scenes in fine arts, film, theatre, music and journalism that you've never heard of.
8. "It's impossible to get a job in that field these days."
Just because it's difficult and may not be dropped into our laps immediately, doesn't mean opportunities will never come. Just like trusted bankers, we'll have to work hard. Just like renowned surgeons, we'll have to prove ourselves. But just because it's difficult, doesn't mean it's impossible.
9. "You're not going to make much money doing that."
This is such an encouraging thing to hear when working towards a goal. Our dreams haven't died yet, stop trying to plan the funeral. Maybe we don't plan on living in a luxurious home with a swimming pool and a white picket fence at age 23. As Billy says, "Who needs a house out in Hackensack?"
10. "What's your backup plan when, oh I mean uh, IF that doesn't work out?"
I don't know, what's yours?
11. "You know that's on the list of '10 Worst Things To Major In', right?"
True. I guess everyone should quit now, that way in the next decade there's no one to write movies, sculpt art, record music, direct TV shows, preform musicals, capture moments, report news, edit music videos or publish novels and we can continue living in the same realm of art for all eternity.
12. "Majoring in math would get you so much further."
I do not like math. Math does not like me. I am not good at math. Numbers make me nauseous. Shout-out to those who are good at math. But, I am not you. End of story. That goes for you too, science.
13. "Aren't you scared?"
Yea, a bit. We've all asked ourselves these questions thousands of times. We've all thought about the shoebox apartments we'll probably live in with seven roommates. But creating is what we're good at. If we don't try, we'll never know. And we promise to give it all we've got to make you proud to have known us before it all.
We understand your concerns about the world of creativity. In this day and age, everyone really has the opportunity to create. However, with that being said, these jobs are still important. They still exist, but in different ways than before. At the end of the day, there's nothing that fulfills us more than being creative, and we're working as hard as we can to make it all work out. Have a little faith in us, is all we ask.
