<p>I'm new to this group and LOVE it! What a huge wealth of information and support you all are! My D will be a HS senior next year with hopes of being accepted into a conservatory style BFA MT program somewhere. What I haven't seen discussed yet is whether it is possible for these students to be employed outside of school. I mean, can they possibly have time? Our financial situation would really require it, if possible. She has a skill that she can put to use and she could work early mornings and/or afternoons and it has worked well in HS despite her crazy busy schedule. We were hoping she could do the same in college. Do any of you students work or are you parents of working students?</p>
<p>I imagine that some students do work but my D doesn't, nor do any of her friends. There simply isn't time. She's in studio three days a week from 9-6, then on the other two days she has her academic classes. She's doing a double major so that makes her schedule even more full. Then there are rehearsals, tech requirements, homework, etc. There just aren't enough hours in the day or week to include a job, and not have it affect everything else. She works in the summers, always has, and is very good at saving her earnings so that working through the school year isn't a necessity. These programs are very intense and time management is essential. Fitting in a part-time job is difficult even if it's a workstudy job with 10-12 hours per week. The flexibility that's needed for a job to fit in with these unpredictable rehearsal schedules, etc., is hard to find, even with workstudy. Some kids may do it but something is going to be negatively affected in some way, it's inevitable. My D went to an arts h/s and thus had a very busy schedule for the four years she attended but even that was in no way comparable to what she's had in college. The busiest h/s student is in for an adjustment when they start one of these intense programs! :)</p>
<p>I think at most of the intense conservatory programs, the students are pretty much in class all day and then have rehearsal and crew until fairly late at night, so working while school is in session would be very difficult if not impossible. Maybe she could get some kind of flexible work-study through the school and do something that pays more during the summers and breaks. Personally, I think the lunch waitressing resume I'm building will be of great value in the future. I'm hoping I'll be able to do summer apprenticeships with the hours coming in the late afternoon and evening so I can also bring in some restaurant kwan at breakfast or lunch. Ive worked the lunch rush at a semi-upscale restaurant the past two summers and made enough last year to pay for all my application fees and audition travel expenses plus keep my wardrobe stylin'. :)</p>
<p>My D, an MT junior, does work-study 10-12 hours a week in the president's office....flexible hours that change not only each semester but every week depending on her course work. She also sings/cantors at various churches in the city and sings at weddings and funerals. She can accept or decline those types of jobs dependent on her school and show schedules. It is not easy....I wish she didn't have to work, but then again she has certainly learned a lot about time management and budgeting her money. She appreciates every penny she makes!</p>
<p>My goodness, I can't imagine working a job at the same time juggling all that is required in a conservatory. Most classes occupy 9-10 hours of the day and after that there is much research and rehearsals for scenework, and other homework (practice piano and voice for example).</p>
<p>My Ss qualify for work study this year and they are taking deep gulps wondering how they are going to fulfill it....Sophomore year at Webster is the most demanding year. Webster has a fall break and they will have to stay on campus and work through that, I would imagine. Plus use their weekends very wisely. THankfully most of the theatre kids are able to do their work study through the St. Louis Rep as ushers and etc.</p>
<p>My daughter is a rising senior and going to be on the audition circuit this Fall and Winter. We were told my several schools when we visited campuses that, while some students have a need for outside employment, the curriculums for BFA programs is so intense that it would be nearly impossible to actually hold a job.</p>
<p>That's just the information we've been given.</p>
<p>I teach in a BFA at a state school, so much less expensive than private schools; nonetheless, our students need to work to pay for school (too expensive these days!).</p>
<p>Our students are discouraged from working outside - either professionally or for money alone. The reason being? Well, next to Engineering, our program of study is the most rigorous in the school (kids taking 22 to 24 units a semester to graduate on time). The program HAS to come first, so if they have to choose between dropping a shift at work or coming to rehearsal, there is no question, no choice. School must come first.</p>
<p>Many work at Disneyland (entertainment, food service, shops, rides or street sweeping)- but they OFTEN have to choose between the "mouse" and a degree (many of our most talented have dropped out to do Disneyland shows).</p>
<p>But hey, if they are working in the industry, maybe this is not the best time to be in school (we'll always be here for them later, whereas professional work won't).</p>
<p>My son just completed his freshman year at Point Park. He had a Theater apprenticeship. This involved 10 hours per week working. His job was in the scene shop which he enjoyed. Working in the scene shop helped get him aquainted with many of the faculty staff and students in the theater program and taught him some useful skills. His hours were flexible so the work did not interfere with his studies. </p>
<p>My son has always kept himself busy, so the hours didn't bother him too much. (This summer he works 30 plus hours a week at a restaurant during the day and then has five performances a week of the Shakespeare production he is in) Prior to the performances, he had some rehearsals from noon to midnight so he even has some spare time now!</p>