<p>I am looking at colleges especially those that specialize in theater, but my dad is always telling me that I need to study something else because not all actors make it in this industry. I completely agree with 100% but acting is my passion and I want to pursue it so I plan on minoring in English/Creative Writing depending of the school offers Creative Writing. If not then I will minor in English because I love writing and I also plan on minoring in Economics or Computer Science. Can I get substantial paying jobs if I get a degree in the areas above and which would pay more a minor in Economics or Computer Science. I am good at math so I don't know which to choose. What jobs can I get? Please I need your help because my dad is driving me crazy.</p>
<p>It is not unusual for a college student to change their major, or their minor, once they are in college. Sometimes you take a class that really “clicks” with you, and decide that’s the direction you want to go.</p>
<p>Since you’re not totally sure about your path at this point (and most kids your age are not!) then I would advise you to look at colleges that offer good programs in several of the areas that interest you now. Check to see how easy it is to change majors, or to add minors. </p>
<p>An oldie but a goodie on this subject!
<a href=“http://lecatr.people.wm.edu/majorslearn.html”>http://lecatr.people.wm.edu/majorslearn.html</a></p>
<p>Dramaturgy, although not an especially marketable skill, combines writing and theater. Dramaturgs write the liner notes for play programs, reviews, introductions to the published versions of plays, translations, and scholarly articles. If it’s creative writing you want, though, playwriting is the obvious answer. Combining theater and economics will likely prepare you for a job in some kind of stage or production management and that is certainly more marketable. And I agree with mountainhiker that an introduction to each of these subjects will give you a better idea which one (or combination) you want to pursue. </p>
<p>It sounds like you might not be sure what you want to pursue in college. Why not declare yourself undecided and look for a school that has offerings in areas that interest you/make your father happy: theater, economics, and computer science. You probably don’t want to enroll in a BFA/conservatory program since it’s important to you to have a fall back. Depending on your family finances, you might want to consider your state flagship university or an LAC that has a good theater program. </p>
<p>As for jobs once you graduate–there’s no guarantee that you are more likely to get a job in one field or another. Clearly, if you want a traditional, full-time job with vacation days and benefits, that’s probably not going to be easy to do if you want to work as an actor. However, if acting is your passion–then give it a shot and see what happens.</p>
<p>Trust me, majoring or minoring in creative writing does not help you get a writing job. Those courses may help you become a better writer, which may help you in many areas of your life. But creative writing is a soft major-- I would not recommend choosing it for career-related reasons. </p>
<p>Here is an Econ Major that recently landed a part on Broadway:</p>
<p><a href=“Cross ’12 makes Broadway debut in ‘Snow Geese’ - The Brown Daily Herald”>Cross ’12 makes Broadway debut in ‘Snow Geese’ - The Brown Daily Herald;
<p>"Since graduation, Cross has been pursuing theater in New York City while working at Squishable, a stuffed-animal company. "</p>
<p>@glassharmonica What would you suggest, if you know, to major in if you do want to get a job as a writer or editor? Thanks!</p>
<p>Want to know what you can do with a degree in theater and economics? Ask Carl Forsman -Dean of the Drama School at UNC School of the Arts. He has a BA in Theater and Economics from Middlebury College in Vermont and Masters in Fine Arts in Directing from the University of Minnesota. <a href=“http://www.uncsa.edu/drama/dean.htm”>http://www.uncsa.edu/drama/dean.htm</a>
If you want it - go after it.</p>
<p>Aerocollege, what kind of writer/editor do you want to be?</p>