Why is one of my friends from undergrad having such a hard time accepting my career change?

Question

I recieved my undergrad degree in art, after a couple of years of working fulltime I've decided to change careers because I crave to have some stability in my life. I'm currently attending classes and working part time. Anyways to the question. Why is one of my friends from undergrad having such a hard time accepting my career change? Shouldn't she be happy that I'm trying to make a better life for myself? This question is for older people who have more life experience and fewer unrealistic ideals.

Answer 1

Having been an art major in college, I decided I wanted to eat food ... it was just too necessary to me. One of the prime taboos of the art world is selling out your art. You know, giving in to the demands of the masses, selling the artistic soul by caving in to change your art for mass appeal, or even working in a mass appeal way. In this regard, your friend may worry that your artistic soul is being sold.

You cannot be a full time artist and eat regularly, unless you are one of the very few lucky ones. You need to pay bills, maybe even buy a home, furnish it, get a white picket fence, and maybe even -hark! - buy a Toyota.

You just need to explain how much it bothers you (might even hurt) to not have that stability you crave. You are not selling yourself out, you are merely trying to make it in a world that unreasonably revolves around money, which art can't guarantee. Let her know you won't lose that soul ... tell her something you are working on now (not that you have that much time considering yoru schedule) and how much you enjoy it. But don't even take a breath as you tell her your bank balance, and how much that allows you to sleep well at night.

Good luck -- I've been there. Now, I decorate my house artfully, I dabble in landscape design, and I buy art from starving artists myself whose work I admire. My soul has never been sold, but art is relegated to my passion, my burning fire.

Answer 2

sounds like she has been your friend for a long time, and therefore must care about you.
she probably feels upset that you are putting aside your love for the arts in pursuit of stability.
what do you define as a better life? does that mean money?
well i agree money is one of the key ingredients for happiness and a good life.
but you also need to feed your "unrealistic ideals". (within reason of course)

for example... if you love to paint and you happen to be a part time bank teller, you will eventually begin to feel bitter and resentful of your job and of your life.
if you absolutely have to be a bank teller, then you better surround yourself with artwork in your home, and maybe teach an art class after work or something.
(i am assuming you love art because of your undergrad degree)

Answer 3

Sometimes you just have to not worry about what others think. Who cares what she won't accept, you are doing this for you and your future. I'm in the same predicament. I graduated w/ a degree in psych and now a year later, I'm pursuing a BS in nursing. It happens. People change careers all the time. I say go for it, cuz in the end it's going to you who controls your future. Best wishes to you.

Answer 4

She may think that you will change as a person. Just reassure here that no what you are and will always be the same friend to her no matter what your job is.

Answer 5

talk to them and try and find out from them. maybe they will miss your art work? tell her what you have in mind and she will soon accept your decision. if she doesn't and you find her disturbing, stay away from her. lol.

Answer 6

It may be because he is looking for validation of his own decisions.