I’ve always prided myself in knowing what I wanted to do when moving into new stages of my life. When selecting a high school to go to, I knew from day one that the school picked would be the school I’d be the happiest in. The same could be said for my college choice; I wouldn’t change the school I selected for anything.
However, where I picked wrong was my future career. I planned for something I wasn’t as passionate in, and I’m realizing that more and more each day.
I always knew that music was my highest passion. I was involved in every performance ensemble in high school, and I’m finding myself nearing that in college as well. I’m already heavily involved in my college’s marching band and choir; the orchestra is also on my radar, too.
My plan going into college was relatively simple; get a degree in Business Communication and eventually start a masters’ in Communication Studies. I planned to take that degree into the marketing or journalism fields.
However, I only settled on this plan after forcefully wrestling down my passion for music. I had to convince myself that ‘music wasn’t a profitable career’ or even degrade my own talent by saying I wasn’t ‘good enough’ to dedicate myself to the craft.
I made the decision to pick communication based on music, not based on what would make me the happiest, but what would be more profitable in the long run.
Today, I realize that my happiness is just as important.
Today, I’ve decided to put off my masters’ and instead apply those credits to a minor in music.
That sounds like a crazy idea to most. I can already hear people asking ‘why would you put off a chance at a masters’ just to be a music minor?’. I quite literally cannot live without music. I realize that more and more every day.
All of my fondest and happiest memories are surrounded by music and performance. While I still don’t anticipate being a performer in the field, I’d love to take a behind-the-scenes role in the field as a marketing manager or public relations manager.
By retaining my overall major of Business Communication and adding a minor in music, my chances of breaking into that sort of field will be enhanced.
I want to be happy in the field that I enter into, despite the potential stigmas around it. I know it’ll be harder for me to make these dreams a reality, but that’s the whole point of college. IT’s an opportunity to find what makes you passionate and chase that dream. Now, I’m officially on the path of chasing mine.