<p>Snoggie – I think you gave me credit for MichaelNKat’s excellent post… I agree it is very well said! Since alf56 does not specify BFA MT, but MT in general, I will say that I think much of MichaelNKat’s excellent post is true for BA Theatre and Musical Theatre as well. </p>
<p>MTMummy also has terrific points and experiences to share! </p>
<p>Undergraduate school is usually a stop on the educational pathway to a career. MA, MS, MBA, medical school, law school, MFA, Phd, further vocational training in your field… etc…</p>
<p>Many people end up pursuing further education and training in order to obtain the credentials, experience, knowledge, and connections to be more competitive in their fields. Many people end up pursuing a career path that is not directly related to their undergraduate degree… or is directly related, but requires further training and experience. I know BFA and BA Theatre and MT grads who have gone on the be doctors, lawyers, obtain an MBA… Phd… MFA… etc… I also know BFA and BA grads who have chosen to pursue lives as performers… this has been their choice… they did not spend 20 years waiting tables and following a pipe dream without ever working in their field. They have been in Broadway shows, national tours, film, TV… do they sometimes need “survival jobs” in between performing gigs? Some of them, yes… many have “survival jobs” in their field – ie. vocal/ acting coaching, teaching dance, etc… others choose to work in an office, wait tables, tend bar, tutor, etc… but those are all personal choices. Others with performance degrees have transferred those skills to working on the other side of the table – casting, directing, choreographing, etc… sometimes pursuing further formalized training (this is what I chose to do – but college teaching was an interest to me), but often transitioning into these other “roles” because of professional experiences and connections. </p>
<p>Different strokes…</p>
<p>I can see how a parent may not want to spend $200,000 on a degree that seems unemployable. Finances are personal to a family. However, there are many less expensive routes to training and experience… state schools, merit or talent scholarships, etc… </p>
<p>I was fortunate – my parents told me that I was going to spend too much of my life at my job to pursue a career I hate. No amount of money or vacations would make up for years of being miserable. I feel lucky to have a job that I truly enjoy. Both my parents are also still working in their fields at jobs they enjoy… not because they need to, but because they want to.</p>