Should we try to guide our kids to safe major for making money?

Question

My son is enterested in music. He is on freshman in college. Should I try to guide him to majors like engineering, accounting,... for making money? Or, just let him go for what he likes? Thanks.

Answer 1

Let him go for what he likes. I am in my late 30s and have changed my mind many times on careers and am suprisingly using ALL of my skills for my jobs now. Sometimes in college (especially a tech or hands on type) you will find you like something you never imagined -- for example, I found out I liked computers, something I never would have picked off the top of my head. It is a good idea for him to gain a skill in the mean time so he can make money while he goes to school. Good luck with this!! You are being a great dad by being so concerned. I received very little guidance and encouragement from home as far as college went!

Answer 2

Let him do what makes him happy. We only have one chance for life, we should live it in happiness, and at least trying to fulfill our dreams. Making tons of money should not be our top priority. If you guide him away from his own interests and goals, he will always resent it.

That being said, I don't think it is a bad idea to help him weigh different musical options. Even in music, your son could go to college and get an education that will help him in his chosen career. There are a lot of directions your son could go in a musical career. Encourage him to explore as many as he can before making a final decision. He can still earn a good salary while doing what he loves if he is smart about it.

Answer 3

Try and find a "financially viable" subject that he is interested in - something he has absolutely no desire to study is a waste of time. The fact that he in interested in music does not mean he'd enjoy studying it - it could well kill his love for it. A friend who started a music degree because of her interest in classical music found herself stuck having to study modern rap, and all sorts of fringe nonsense, and soon changed to a subject she enjoyed more, and that had better career prospects.

Music is all well and good, but it's not something you can count on for a regular income. Encourage him to find a way to study a subject that would help him with both a musical career, and also be applicable in a more general field. For example Electrical/Electronic Engineering has good career prospects, but also has relevance to working in a recording studio.

Very few career-type courses stop you being a musician, but a music course won't see you far in a business environment.

You know Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) was originally trained as an accountant, right?

Answer 4

Try and persuade him to do a major in a subject that is easily transferrable to most professions - a science, language or english all work well (science especially). Then even if he goes into music he's got a good foundation to build on.

I studied a science but didn't become a scientist. However I learnt all sorts of numeracy and literary skills, report writing, teamwork, working methodically - all the skills you need to get on in the workplace.

Answer 5

A prostitute engages in sexual activity for payment. The payment can be anything, from money, favors, financial security any kind of payment. IMO, women who adds financial security as a requirement or a need to have for their marriage partners are Smart and Intelligent... prostitutes. There's no way around it, no sugar coating will change it. If you include any kind of compensation for anything to do with you having sex (yes, sex is included and expected in marriage, in some countries, they can file an annulment of marriage if there was no sexual intercourse for a year), yes, you are a prostitute. Whatever reason whether you are doing this to survive, you are still a prostitute. prostitutes do it for survival as well what makes you so different? they engage sex with different men for a compensation while you engage with 1 man for compensation as well. Different cultures different perspectives different people and different opinions. Is it wrong? It depends on what you believe in, and will your belief help you survive? as someone else said, it's a dog eat dog world out there, people survive by clinging to the sharp side of the blade.

Answer 6

No if that is your son's passion he will make the best living possible if it doesn't work out he will learn from his mistakes let him be a young adult he's already on a good path some young adults don't have the ambition to even go to school to even learn the basics let alone going for music SUPPORT HIM IT MEANS ALOT!!

Answer 7

Education is extremely important but whatever he decides, make certain he is well educated on money and investing. There are many professionals who live beyond there means with no savings or investments to speak of who are just a paycheck away from financial ruin. I'll bet there are people who are making $40k a year who are worth more than some who make $100k.

Answer 8

My parents tried to do that to me and I HATED it. When it comes to going to college and such, we want as much independence in our decisions as we can get. This is our time to be adults.
Coincidentally, I'm a music major. While it's not the most secure job prospect, there are plenty of things you can do with it. Or he can double major, if he wants. Speaking from personal experience, people who love music and major or consider majoring in it do NOT want anything to do with accounting or engineering. *Shudder*
Anyway, it comes down to would you rather see him in 10 years rich and hating his life, or having enough money and loving what he does? Good luck with him :)

Answer 9

Remind him that he will need to support himself, but otherwise let him pick the major. There are a lot of jobs in music, though most aren't especially well-paying. However, your son will be a lot happier doing something he enjoys and is good at, even if he may earn less money.

Answer 10

Making money is important but if you try to steer him toward something like what you mentioned engineering, accounting, etc, and he doesn't like it, he's going to regret doing it because he doesn't find happiness in it. If he gets a good job in music, then he'll probably enjoy what he's doing and since its a good job, make a steady income.