Education Questions and Answers
I am trying to decide on my major in college, engineering or music.?
Question:I'm 21 and going back to college in the fall. My first choice was to go into civil engineering. I don't know anything about engineering, but I do know what engineers do. At least the final product. But I love music. I play the trumpet and I love it. I know that I'd have a hard time making a living unless I was incredible, but it'd still be fun. I'm almost afraid that I'd start looking at music as a job instead of the beatiful talent that I see it as now. I don't want to waste anymore time by choosing a major then not sticking with it, so it's either civil engineering or music. But.. there's nothing to say if I choose engineering that I can't keep playing and loving music...
Answers:
I have been playing music as an amateur for over 40 years and have had lots of fun. But I think you are totally right about making a living... I know LOTS of fabulously talented musicians my age who have no retirement money, no health care benefits, have never owned their own home, are driving around in ten year old cars. I feel very upset when I see them. And one of the worst things is they have rarely had any artistic freedom. I play exactly the music I love. They play the music people hire them to play.
You need to have a marketable skill. I don't see why you have to limit yourself to civil engineering. If you are good at math (which you would have to be, to major in Engineering) why not consider teaching math? The course work is very much easier, and you have a lot more time off once you get settled in your career. You can make a decent living, and have fun with the kids, and have lots of time for your hobby. And they will love it when you bring in your trumpet and play for them!
if you really love music and playing the trumpet then I'd go with music. never let money issues slow you down. anything is possible
Think of it this way. You can always be an engineer and play in the local symphony for fun, but you can't play in a major symphony and do engineering for fun.
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