$40,000 to Happiness

I was listening to my favorite radio station yesterday morning when the topic of college education was touched on. One of the hosts through out the idea about fine arts and generic arts at college. He stated “You want to be an actor on Broadway, don’t waste $120,000 at the University of (fill in the blank) on a theater major. If you are a parent shoveling up the money for your kids college, why not give them $40,000 and tell them to go be a waiter in New York City. Take acting classes, network with people in the industry, audition. REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE.”

This seems to be the point that not only parents, but the actual kids going to school are missing. Look at all the actors and actresses, how many of them have technical backgrounds with a theater major? Probably not many. This is the same for artist who want to become painters, photographers, etc.  Master your craft on your own money! It doesn’t take a college education for you to continue to take great photographs. Find an unpaid job that is desperate for a photographer. Who cares if you are making money off the photo’s.

I’m seeing a trend that people thing the only way to become “successful” is that you have to go to college. The country will always need the trucker drivers, plumbers, postal workers, and guess what; they make pretty good money too! A lot of these people enjoy their job. Most couldn’t see themselves working in a cubicle. So, your life isn’t over if you don’t want to go to college.

The pursuit of happiness is the most ridiculous phrase; if you pursue happiness you’ll never find it.

-C.P. Snow