<p>I always have to laugh at people who make the “You should have majored in something practical” types of comments. The reality is that with very few exceptions (a BFA being one of them), and certainly with respect to most liberal arts majors, undergrad degrees do not prepare a graduate to be meaningfully employed in their major. An undergrad degree typically gives the student a credential for seeking graduate training in the area in which they will seek employment. And when it comes to general entry level employment outside of one’s major, I don’t think there is much difference between a BFA and a BA in some other major. The next time someone makes one of these misguided remarks, ask them where their kid is employed with their BA in English, Psych, Sociology, History etc and how much they are making at that job. And to boot, I know loads of people who earned a BFA and later applied to law school and other graduate professional programs and their BFA in no way was an impediment to gaining access to a graduate program. </p>
<p>What really counts is that our kids are engaged in a course of study about which they are passionate and in which they are invested. Putting aside that the skills and training they are receiving can be applied to so many areas outside of theatre, the commitment to what they are doing and the discipline, work ethic, time management skills and abilities to work collaboratively on complex projects which are required have intrinsic value beyond the choice of major. If our kids can develop these qualities while engaged in the pursuit of something for which they have real zeal and interest, isn’t that what an undergrad education should be all about?</p>