I've completed my freshmen and sophomore years at UNR but had no direction at all. My transcript is full of random classes that add up to absolutely nothing (unless there's a major out there for diverse studies). Classes in music , creative writing, photography, interior design, philosophy, psychology, etc etc. Now it's time to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Much easier said than done! I'm going to start at UTEP this summer and I'm thinking I should go with my favorite hobby of all... music. There are a few majors I can choose from: Performance, Music Education, and Theory & Composition. It's not my dream to be a performer, so we can nix that one. I've always been interested in becoming a teacher, though I always pictured myself teaching English or something, not music. Not to toot my own horn in any way but music has always been very easy for me, it just came naturally. So I'm not sure I'd have the patience to teach children who might struggle with what seemed so simple to me. Those who can't do, teach... right? So, those who can do, shouldn't teach? Hm. But who knows, maybe I would really enjoy it. Then there's theory and composition. This sounds more like my kind of area. I've written plenty of songs, though not for the violin, I've actually never tried to do that. I enjoy getting lost in music and writing and being inspired to create. However, will I really be able to make a career out of that? I try to make myself not worry about that, but in today's economy especially, its hard not to! I'd love to just go with my gut and do what I love, but is that practical? If I'm super motivated I could always go for a dual major, so I have more options. I could do Theory/Composition and Music Education or Theory/Composition and English... or...
That brings me to my next problem. Like I said, I would love to just go with my gut, but my gut is interested in a lot of things! How am I supposed to narrow it down? That's why I have a bunch of classes that get me nowhere. I feel like I have too many interests. I keep thinking as time passes and I grow up more, that what I should do will just come to me as if in a dream. That definitely hasn't happened yet and it probably never will. My interests include: music, english, interior design, photography, creative writing, advertising, teaching, psychology, and nursing (specifically, lactation consulting). Quite the wide variety eh? I'm really not good at Chemistry so I gave up on the nursing, but the last time I took a chemistry class I was an unmotivated 20 year old. I know I could do it if I really tried. Interior design and photography will always be interests and hobbies of mine but a bad career choice for a traveling Army wife. English and creative writing could bring a lot of career opportunities in the future, as there is a very broad spectrum of careers that involve good writing skills. I do enjoy writing. I took a creative writing class at UNR and thoroughly enjoyed it! Got an A and everything!
The more I try to think logically about coming to a decision, the more confused I get. I don't have the time or the money to go to school for 8 years and cover every interest I have, so I really have to narrow it down. But how? It is a major fear of mine to be stuck doing something I hate for the rest of my life. I know people who are in that boat, and I want to do everything I can not to hop on board.
So, Music? English? Nursing? Help!
I think you should do something in teaching. Because you can have more than one passion.. and if you start teaching english and realize you don't like it, then you can go back to school for awhile and learn more, comeback and teach music, or teach a photography class. But that doesnt mean you cant write music or gt an advertising job on the side. I know you'll be busy with evie to have a dual career, but you should do something you love, and you'll never know how much you truely love it until you experience it. I do advertising, I love doing it. its a lot of fun, and there are many perks to my job, but its not my career, i know this isnt what i want to do for the rest of my life, but what i do know is that for now, this is going to get me where i want to be. this will take me to the next step getting me closer to me dreams. I think you'll be okay, and i think it will come to you. Follow your dreams, you dont want to have a career you hate for the rest of your life. I hope i helped a little bit!
ReplyDeleteBoth Dez and Brittany have excellent advice. You may have more of a talent for teaching than you realize. Teaching special ed never crossed my mind. Like Brittany, I had my jobs in insurance and enjoyed them, but knew that wasn't my career, and just assumed that I would end up as an English teacher. After all, that is my forte, as well as my passion (haha, used a French word, I crack myself up sometimes). Then, I started helping in special ed, and totally fell in love with it. Since reading and writing came easy to me, you would think I would get impatient working with kids who have such a struggle with it. But, it's okay. I like helping them and don't get impatient at all. And, being a mom was the best preparation of all for being a teacher. Look how good you are with Evie. Each state varies, but I think you can be certified to teach "Fine Arts", and then be allowed to teach music, art, or photography. You can also be dually certified in English. So, it is possible to pull all your various interests together, and still do the most practical thing - become a teacher.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the advice guys! =] I should definitely just go with teaching. I'll talk to a counselor about requirements for teaching music and english and all that and just do it!
ReplyDeleteI'm very excited! =]