<p>My S is talking about majoring in music business. The type of student I see doing this is someone passionate about music (ie, plays at least one instrument very well, maybe in a school band or orchestra), is very outgoing and has that schmooze factor that is so important in the business world. Well, S is not an accomplished musician (played piano for 7 yrs then switched to guitar-- he's not passionate, but rather plays because it's cool-- he is not accomplished, does not want to be a performer). He is very introverted and doesn't seem to have any leadership skills or the aptitude that would seem to be required to succeed in this field. I can more easily envision him doing something like graphic arts, where he would do a lot of solo work at a computer.</p>
<p>Remember…HE is going to college, not you. Many students begin with a major in mind and then switch multiple times. What he’s thinking about now might not be something he’ll be doing in the future. AND futuristic folks will tell you that today’s young adults will switch careers AT LEAST four times in their lives. </p>
<p>Let your son study what he thinks he wants to study. Once he gets into the coursework, he’ll either stay with it…or switch.</p>
<p>OK, not to start a fight but just playing Devil’s advocate, maybe this is actually an argument for choosing a more realistic major to begin with…</p>
<p>OK … to plays devil’s devil’s advocate … maybe part of the 4 switches is kids starting with practical/realistic majors and eventually wandering to things they WANT to do … which also can change over time. </p>
<p>To the OP … I’m 5’ 7 1/2 … not particular fast or quick and have about a 2 inch vertical leap … and absolutely LOVE basketball. I was far from an accomplished player as a kid (made it to JVs in HS) … but looking back at my life … if I had pursued my passion through college and my initial jobs I may well be a scout or an assistant coach (the one responsible for keeping stats and developing game plans). One of my kids would rather be dead than be on a stage in front of an audience but crewed virtually every concert, play, or show at the HS. Finding meaningful work in a field does not necessarily mean being front and center … there are lots of jobs in all industires requiring lots of different skills. Personally, I’m advocating to my kids that they pursue work in industries that they are drawn to … if they find an industry they like they will find a good job within the industry. </p>
<p>(Same message said another way … next time you watch a movie I’d suggest you watch the complete credits … 10-20 people are the actors, director, and producer … then come another 100 people who worked on the film … and that doesn’t even count the folks who work at the companies that supported the production.)</p>
<p>Agree with 3togo completely. Plus, somewhere it was stated that the jobs people are doing today were only concepts (if that) when they were in college. Best to major in something you enjoy and truthfully, you have no idea where their wings are going to take them. All you can do is encourage them to fly.</p>
<p>I don’t think the parent should try to force a change in major. However, I see nothing wrong in talking it through with the student (in as positive way as possible). It’s fair to ask questions like: what careers are available? What are the prerequisites for this major? Have you talked to advisers on campus, and what did they say? What’s your overall plan?</p>
<p>I believe that majors are the student’s decision. I have also noticed that when student’s go off to college with no academic or practical experience in their proposed field of study, they often find that the “fit” is not what they thought it would be. In a school with a variety of options, this usually works out with a change of focus. In a music school, you may find yourself seeking alternatives and coming up empty. I would help my student gather as much data as possible about the field, including talking to current students. We know several students who have done well regarded music business programs and found their internship experiences sub par, largely because of the current flux/challenges/transitions in the music industry. Someone on this board will know far more than I do about this field, but it is worth encouraging your son to dig deeper and come to his own conclusions. Sometimes, a general business focus allows for eventual focus on music, the entertainment industry, etc. without precluding other options. Good luck to your student.</p>
<p>Perhaps in a positive rather than negative manner – the parent could encourage child to do more research into this major and career. “Wow, that’s interesting! I had no idea you were into that. Did you pull up what your four year course schedule would look like? Are those courses you are interested in? Have you googled people in the field? Is there someone you could shadow for the day?”</p>
<p>The student himself might have an unrealistic idea of what people in this major do (broker major deals for U2 or something) or the student could be spot on that this is for him and the parent may learn something!</p>
<p>Also meant to say – older D has a friend who is majoring in this at Manhattanville (or had been planning to anyway. I should ask D if her major changed). I don’t think she plays any instruments.</p>
<p>3togo-- funny you should mention the credits at the end of movies-- watched the new Star Trek last night and actually watched all the way through the credits to the end. Literally hundreds and hundreds of people. You make a good point.</p>
<p>thumper1-- you make a good point too-- I’ve switched careers 3 times myself. What I currently do bears no resemblance to my college major.</p>
<p>dbwes-- I’d be interested in your D’s friend’s experience. Can you report back?</p>
<p>I appreciated everyone’s perspective. I guess the most important thing is to make sure S is at a good school that offers a variety, so he has other options (if needed) but gets a decent education overall.</p>
<p>As a person married to an accomplished musician who is no longer doing music professionally, I have a little insight into this issue. I once asked him why he didn’t go into music management or even entertainment law. His response was, “It would hurt too much. I don’t want to represent people who are doing what I wanted to do, and who maybe aren’t as talented as I am (at least in my opinion). If I’m not going to be making music, I don’t want to be in that business at all.”</p>
<p>So, to quibble with one point of the OP’s view of music business, I don’t think the kind of student who wants to do this needs “is someone passionate about music (ie, plays at least one instrument very well, maybe in a school band or orchestra).” The student should be passionate about music, but not necessarily in playing it. In fact, the happiest people that my husband knows in the music management business are those who see the job as helping music be made and heard in a way that they cannot accomplish themselves.</p>
<p>Additionally, Bflogal, when you say “music business”, what do you mean? Are you thinking, for example, agent? If so, then yes, perhaps the schmooze factor is a big issue. But if he wants to go into recording engineering, or contract administration, or mixing, or any of the thousand myriad jobs that just happen to be related to music, then perhaps the schmooze/leadership factor isn’t more important than it would be in any other business.</p>
<p>The music business is a large, diverse one, which can accommodate many types of people. Your son may do quite well in it.</p>
<p>The music “business” part is actually very legalistic. And any other function that exists in other parts of corporate America, exists in the music business too. I have one friend who works for a major music publisher who is an IT guy, and another friend who manages bands and he is a lawyer. </p>
<p>We’ve had a variation on this theme going on in my house as DH is concerned that DDs intended major won’t lead to employment in 4 years. I looked at him and said “we were Speech & Theatre majors with a concentration in Broadcasting!” And we’re now employed in fields that had nothing to do with that. But we did learn how to speak in public and how to multitask :)</p>
<p>Like many little girls I wanted to be a Vet. After I fainted in the vets office when they brought in an injured dog my mom said…you should find a new career path…I was about 11 and took it to heart. In high school I was fascinated by genetics and excelled in my science classes. When I expressed an interest in being a science major my mom said “You have to be better in math than you are to major in science.”</p>
<p>I remember those exchanges because they left a mark. Yes, maybe she was right and that I wouldn’t be able to hack either but I do think I deserved the right to go to school try it out and see for myself. You may be right about your boy too but he:</p>
<p>a) deserves the right to have this dream at this time (he’s in the class of 10 right?)
b) is exceedingly likely to change his mind
c) will likely change immeasurably between now and the end of his second year in college when an official major declaration is required at most campuses
d) won’t appreciate you bursting his bubble</p>
<p>You let him choose to major in what he wants to. If it’s not a good fit, he’ll do what most students do with the first things they choose to major in: He’ll switch to something else. Most students switch majors at least twice. Often they end up majoring in something they’d never heard of or considered before going to college.</p>
<p>I’m intrigued by this thread since I believe many students currently writing application essays really don’t have a clear fix on what they want to major in. Some of the finest colleges in the land are the ones that provide the most opportunities for students to discover that spark.</p>
<p>As for my S, about all we know is that he’ll major in some science, and is highly likely to be involved with interdisciplinary sciences, as he feels some of the biggest discoveries to come are at those intersections and he wants to be there.</p>
<p>Inform yourself and your son about the program(s), the chances of “success” (and he may have to redefine this along the way and through the years), let them know how far you will support their choice (emotionally/financially) and for what period, and what if any help you can provide if they decide to switch gears during or after the degree is earned. Being involved with a performing musician has given me some background of the varieties of these programs labeled “music business”. The definitive thread on the intricacies of this type of program is here <a href=“Music Industry,Business,Technolgy,Engineering - Music Major - College Confidential Forums”>Music Industry,Business,Technolgy,Engineering - Music Major - College Confidential Forums;
<p>Be upfront and honest. But you can’t live their lives, or determine what will make them happy or fulfilled.</p>
<p>I think you need to help your son with research on what the term “music business” encompasses. The most successful person I know the the “music business” is a relatively introverted lawyer who specializes in intellectual property issues. Contracts, licensing, copyright filings, media systems dispensing, merchandising…the list goes on. He may not end up in the music business, but may at least start his way on the path to law or marketing.</p>