I Love Music! Do You.

What do I do with my future? I love music but...?

• I'm someone with a diploma in culinary arts, and currently, I'm taking a degree in business administration. While these 2 lines seem vastly different, I'm also having second thoughts about taking this degree. My lecturer and I have talked about my studies, and she suggested that I withdraw from this course as I am more of 'creative' person than analytical. I can see what she's talking about as I am taking statistics subject this semester, and it is absolutely killing me! I don't have a clue of what's going on, and I've always been looking for my lecturer for extra help. I've always had problems with numbers since I was a kid. I wanna do something related to music as I am a musician and really LOVE music. Unfortunately, I don't have the qualifications to get into a music college, and realistically, I know that music isn't a stable career for most of us who are not into mainstream/commercial radio music. So from most advices I've received from fellow musician friends is to have a stable day job to fund for our passion for music. That is why I decided to get into business administration because my old job as a cook is very unstable in terms of work hours because of the job nature of service line and this degree is killing me inside out. I'm super tired and stressed with this situation as I've asked myself the question if I should quit uni for months already. I don't wanna quit after the first year, the costs would be too high to cover up by that time. And I don't know why, but I can't seem to visualize myself in a white collar environment. Can someone please advise what I should consider? I did think of going back into the kitchen and gaining enough experience to open a music themed cafe actually but there's a some strange feeling in me about that idea.

• Answer:

  It's the age-old question: passion vs. reality. Honestly, all I can really tell you is do what you LOVE. Go for passion, because with that passion you will be able to succeed enough to become succesfull. But you're going to have to go into it knowing that it's going to be hard, and it will be a life time challenge. If you are willing to do this, and still do the very best you possibly can then you WILL be on top. If you love music, then go for music. But it won't be easy. If you are more creative than you are analytical, then use that to your advantage. Try to find ways to market yourself so you can sell your music in a more successful manner, and stop taking classes you feel are not for you. Take ones that will help you grow and help your creative mind blossom. With the culinary arts, however, it is a job you can keep if you can find one. Perhaps you can do both? Musician and chef? Passion will always be more inspiring, more fun, and more successful. Unless you're willing to live the rest of your life upset about your job, don't do something only for the money. I wish you the best of luck!