"What's your backup plan?"

"I don't have one."

*insert blank stare/ horrified look here*

For someone who is about to graduate college as a Performing Arts Major, I cannot tell you how many conversations I've had in the last year that have started like this. And after way too many long and awkward pauses of being judged and sometimes even pitied by the person across from me, I've decided to share exactly why I respond that way.

Let me start off by saying, I am in no way, shape or form dragging on people with backup plans. If you have one, that's awesome! But, I don't.

My number one pet peeve to this question is when someone responds with "Why don't you have a backup plan?" like it's so crazy to believe I could actually be successful in the field of my choice. Like, hello people, I don't exactly suck at singing and acting. (Dancing is a whole other thing, but we won't go there for now!) Sure, I'm no Leonardo Decaprio or Idena Menzel, but I'm pretty sure I don't completely suck. So I would really appreciate if you would be supportive, or just keep your mouth shut.

Another thing I can't stand is when people, who have nothing to do with performing arts, tell me how hard my life is going to be because I'm pursuing a performance career. Thank you for that enlightening advice, but I'm well aware. I didn't choose this field because it would be easy to get a job, I chose it because I love what I do and couldn't be happy doing anything else.

Can I ask you a question? (I'm going to even if you said no) How many times have you asked a young Business Major what their backup plan is? ... Yeah. That's what I thought. Let me make this part very clear.

A. Degree. In. Any. Field. Does. Not. Guarantee. A. Job.

So why has society decided to try and tear down the hopes and dreams of those pursuing such a career?

Sometimes I wonder if the people I talk to, secretly wish they were pursuing a different career. Like, maybe they went the safe route and went to college for a more "practical" degree but always dreamed of being a dancer or television actor. Maybe that's why they are so negative towards my response of "no back-up plan". Because, just maybe, they are jealous that they didn't have the balls to try.

Every day people turn on their radios, televisions, cell phones and go to Broadway shows to watch professionals performing. So why not me? Why can't I be the person you buy a ticket to go see or set as your ringtone? Someone has to do it. And I will gladly raise my hand to sing in the chorus for a Broadway show any day of the week.

I am proud of everything I have accomplished and will accomplish later in life when it comes to the performing arts. So, please stop asking me for my back-up plan. My answer Isn't going to change. I don't have one.