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It Finally Hit Me!!!
- Thread starter Jalen Fuller
- Start date
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- bass general instruction life
Even later on when I was moving through the other 3 years that same freshman history teacher I had to would pull me over to help other students when learning concepts or topics in history
That is important information. Your teacher recognized that you had the communication skills, empathy, sensitivity, and knowledge to effectively help other students. Those are important skills and traits for a variety of careers.
One thing I will add -
You can use TB as a source of ideas regarding career and academic choices, but do not allow strangers on the internet to dictate or influence what direction you go in life. Only you and your closest friends and family members should have any say in the matter. You (and those closest to you) know you best to give you feedback that’s truly worth digesting.
With that said - pick something you are passionate about that will also pay the bills. Realize nothing is permanent and that you can always reevaluate and change paths. Save money and don’t get anybody pregnant. Take your studies seriously as this is your time to learn and to grow - not to waste weekends on drunken benders.
Best of luck to you.
You can use TB as a source of ideas regarding career and academic choices, but do not allow strangers on the internet to dictate or influence what direction you go in life. Only you and your closest friends and family members should have any say in the matter. You (and those closest to you) know you best to give you feedback that’s truly worth digesting.
With that said - pick something you are passionate about that will also pay the bills. Realize nothing is permanent and that you can always reevaluate and change paths. Save money and don’t get anybody pregnant. Take your studies seriously as this is your time to learn and to grow - not to waste weekends on drunken benders.
Best of luck to you.
Many business leaders have degrees in things like History, English and Philosophy. My undergraduate degree is in sociology but I have a background in finance and now teach middle school Engineering.
You make your career, not your degree. And don't just blindly think that a STEM degree will make you an sure fire success. It's hard to compete with all the young engineers coming out of Asia. The key is to find your niche in the economic system. Just make sure that you are using your history lessons to pay attention to the economy and labor markets and you'll carve out a nice career for yourself.
Keep playing music though. It's important.
You make your career, not your degree. And don't just blindly think that a STEM degree will make you an sure fire success. It's hard to compete with all the young engineers coming out of Asia. The key is to find your niche in the economic system. Just make sure that you are using your history lessons to pay attention to the economy and labor markets and you'll carve out a nice career for yourself.
Keep playing music though. It's important.
I was a music major for a year. picked up a lot of good musical knowledge that is still with me today. I've never been a great sight reader, but I know how to follow a chord chart, and I still gig enough that it's a decent side job. I switched to a Spanish major, eventually got my MA in Latin American Literature, and I've now taught at a community college for 14 years. I love what I do and my schedule is amazing. Do what you love first and foremost; the music will always be there!
Some more unsolicted advice that I wish someone would have had the courage to give me.
Doing what makes you happy is great, and I commend you for it. Everything the others have said is true. If I were in your shoes, and I was majoring in history I'd evaluate or do the following:
1) As others have said be realistic about your first year salary, and don't take on college debt greater than that. You're young, and don't assume you can work an extra job forever to pay these loans. You'll want other things in lfe.
2) If history is your thing, consider grad school, or some other professional degree program
3) Lean some other skill or trade. I spent 3 years as a computer science major, switched to econ and got an MBA. Spent one year working in business and then got an IT job and am now a network engineer. Skills are what pay the bills outside of academia (and you need them there more too these days)
This is sooooooo accurate.
Seriously.
Ignoring the job prospects is something you can do if you plan on riding family coat tails, AND you can do so regardless of what you study.
Even with my parents footing the bill, I looked at it like I needed to make sure I wasn’t wasting their money, as it was a wonderful gift.
For me if I am to still study bass on the side I would improve my reading which has actually improved in music theory even struggling to read treble and get piano concepts. Also I would like to do YouTube Covers as well for enjoyment but also just to give myself a portfolio just in case I decide to still pursue that route.
@Jalen Fuller this comment from you is spot-on and shows how this process has helped you mature and make the best decision for yourself. The most important point in your comment is that a solid grounding in history will give you many transferable skills. FWIW, I have two sons. One graduated from college with a degree in philosophy (he now owns a successful online retail business), and another in English. He is a well-compensated web designer who is valued by his company because he writes well and loves to teach. Study what you love, work hard at it and your life experiences and networks will lead you to a career. I only made one real mistake throughout my life path (I’m now 65); when I was in my 30s and busy with a thriving career and two young kids, I stopped playing bass. Took me quite a while to start up again when I was older, and it was much harder the second time!
In all honesty, it didn’t take me till age 26 to realize that I’d want to make a living as a Music Librarian. I actually enjoy talking theory and jamming with cats (although a bit too much jamming that distracts me from school work) but I’m glad you found your purpose in life.
History will be my second major!
History will be my second major!
I have looked at some jobs in IT that does utilize the critical thinking and analytical skills found in history with the assistance of the technology like Data analysis and administration which probably would be come more important in the future due to what we’ve seen with COVID-19. Also contact tracing for COVID requires that very skill.
I know a few history majors, they got their degrees and then were working at Starbucks.
I know it’s not the most popular choice, but there’s always the military. If there’s nothing that interests you and has a feasible career path, you’re better off not spending the money on tuition. A few quick years in the service and you’ll get the GI Bill when you get out, it even pays your rent while you go to school. That’s what I did anyway; 2 terms of bass major, then dropped out for the army, 3.5 years of that then went back to school without paying out of pocket at all. Lastly, don’t be afraid to have an undeclared major. There’s lots of classes to take, you just might stumble upon your calling.
I know it’s not the most popular choice, but there’s always the military. If there’s nothing that interests you and has a feasible career path, you’re better off not spending the money on tuition. A few quick years in the service and you’ll get the GI Bill when you get out, it even pays your rent while you go to school. That’s what I did anyway; 2 terms of bass major, then dropped out for the army, 3.5 years of that then went back to school without paying out of pocket at all. Lastly, don’t be afraid to have an undeclared major. There’s lots of classes to take, you just might stumble upon your calling.
You should only pursue a career in music only if you know you would never be happy doing something else.
Don’t forget that the military also has opportunities to play music of a variety of types. Definitely some great musical chops on display.
With the one disclaimer that no matter what the recruiter tells you, they can hand you a gun and tell you who to shoot.
This. Always get any promises in writing.
I have a relative who did this, and when the promises failed to materialize (it was regarding getting medical training), they were actually discharged.
Your enlistment contract is only guaranteed training, not necessarily what you'll be doing during your enlistment.
As the saying goes.. Do what you like, like what you do. It can always be a hobby to share with friends and annoyed neighbors.
