I study music and journalism. When I tell people this the two responses I usually get is "that's an 'interesting' combination" or "Aren't you worried about getting a job?" I'll start by answering the question. Of course I'm worried about getting a job, I'm terrified that I will stuck working as a waiter for the rest of my life. However, I would still have this fear if I was studying law or medicine or even teaching. I'm a firm believer that you study because you want to learn something, not because you want a job. I understand that for some jobs, like a doctor, I would more than prefer for my doctor to have studied medicine so he knows what he/she is doing. Yet above all else, I want my doctor to be passionate about his/her job. I want them to walk into the operating theatre every morning and get the same feeling inside their gut that I get when I walk out on a stage or finish writing a piece I'm beyond proud of. I want them to be their because they want to be there. I don't want a doctor who is a doctor because their parents wanted them to have a stable job. This person, who is doing the job out of work stability rather than passion, will never be as good as the doctor with passion.
I've known too many people who have changed out of degrees that they loved doing because they didn't see a job at the end of it. That is not the reason to study. People need to study to learn about what they love, not so they can have a job at the end of their degree. If you hate what you do then you are no better of working at McDonald's as your career. Don't be afraid to chase your dreams. Passion is what leads to great things. If we didn't have passionate people who dared to go against the norm then we wouldn't have a lot of the comfort and technologies we have now. You need to perceiver and continue to strive towards your goals. The reason not many people make it in the arts is because the majority of people give up before they have a chance to really explore what they are capable of. I think this is because we are forced to grow up so quickly.
I recently turned 20. This was terrifying leading up to the big 2-0. I started to feel old, that I should get a job at the bank, get a mortgage, marry and have 2.5 kids. But after a mild panic in which I tried to grow a beard (unsuccessfully) and tried to get myself an adult job (also unsuccessful) I came to realise that I was young, like really young, like I'm still 5 years old in the big scheme of things. With the length that people are living, I haven't even reached a quarter of my life yet. So why am I panicking? In all honesty I don't have an answer. Maybe it's a societal thing, maybe in an instinct we all have that tries to keep us from failing so we opt for the easier option.
I do think this panic comes from a deep seated fear of failure and in turn disappointing those around me who have supported me for my entire life. People feel the need to make those who support them proud of them, but they forget that the people who care about you will be proud of you no matter what, they just want you to be happy.
So don't give up on a dream or drop out of a uni course that you love because you don't think you'll get a job. If you are passionate enough, and you are determined enough, you will be able to find away to make money off of what you love.
