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I have too many interests! Where do I go

I have played violin, painted, acted, sung, and worked well with my hands (i.e. mechanically) my whole life. How do I find a good college when my talents are so spread out?
#arts #career #choices

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Ken’s Answer

Congratulations on being interested in finding the right career to follow.. It takes a special person to enter into a specific career field and meet the demands which that career area presents. The first step is to get to know yourself to see if you share the personality traits which make one successful in that area. The next step is doing networking to meet and talk to and possibly shadow people doing what you might think that you want to do to see if this is something that you really want to do, as a career area could look much different on the inside than it looks from the outside.  When I was doing college recruiting, I encountered too many students, who skipped these important steps, and ended up in a career/job for which they were ill suited.

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field. You might want to do this again upon entry into college, as the interpretation might differ slightly due to the course offering of the school. However, do not wait until entering college, as the information from the test will help to determine the courses that you take in high school. Too many students, due to poor planning, end up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. You can locate them by asking your school academic advisor, favorite teachers, and the reference librarian at your local library. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
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Simeon’s Answer

If you are able to get into a university that offers more classes, you can find a way to get a little taste of all your interests. However, I'd recommend that you don't take longer to finish university by trying to take every class you're interested in. Realistically, you'll have to pursue many of your interests outside of the class setting. Once you graduate, if you still want to take classes, you can do what's called "auditing" a class to pay a small fee to attend a college class, but not be responsible for tests, grades, or homework.
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Camellia’s Answer

I felt the same way going into college. What I did is try to explore a little in High School. I knew what subjects I was good at (Math and Art) and which ones I wasn't good at (Science). From there, I knew that I my favorite subject was Art - so I took as many art classes as I could to confirm my passion. However, even though I love art, there were other aspects that were important for me to fulfill as well. Not having a lot of money and having to work through college made me realize the stress that came with money. I didn't want to associate stress with Art, so I knew that couldn't be a career path for me. Furthermore, the fear of failure (specifically in art) I knew would be detrimental to my self-esteem at the time. Ultimately, in trying to picture of my future life, I decided that stability was what I was looking for. Since I was good at math/numbers business and accounting seemed like a good fit for me and I enjoyed it. Not having to worry about having a job after I graduated and knowing that I could support myself and my family made it worth it for me not to pursue my passion. I think what is important is to think about what you find important and what personality traits you possess - is it important to have a high paying job after college? how much support do I have to accomplish my goals? what resources do I need to accomplish my goal? what makes you happy? stressed? Hopefully that helps. I am all for going after your dreams and passions, but there is a lot that comes with that. I still want to pursue Art, but I like having it as a hobby for now. Let me know if that was helpful at all. Good luck! I am sure you will find the right path.

Camellia recommends the following next steps:

Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Be reflective and think about what is most important to you.
Would you be happy?
Is there a career that fits my personality? Life goals?
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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Elizabeth,

Unleashing Your Multifaceted Talents in the Right College

With your unique blend of talents, from violin playing and painting to acting, singing, and mechanical skills, finding a college that nurtures all these areas may seem daunting. Yet, with the right approach, you can discover a college that allows you to flourish in all your diverse talents. Here's how:

1. Investigate Colleges with Robust Arts Programs: Search for colleges renowned for their arts programs in music, visual arts, theater, and other creative fields. These institutions often provide a plethora of opportunities for students to immerse themselves in various artistic disciplines.

2. Consider Colleges with Cross-Disciplinary Programs: Think about colleges that offer cross-disciplinary programs or enable students to pursue diverse interests concurrently. This way, you can blend your love for music, art, acting, and mechanical skills into a personalized academic journey.

3. Explore Colleges with Adaptable Curriculum Options: Look into colleges that present flexible curriculum choices, such as double majors, minors, or concentrations. This adaptability will allow you to shape your academic route to suit your multifaceted talents.

4. Participate in College Fairs and Information Sessions: Engage in college fairs and information sessions where you can converse with representatives from various colleges and gain insights into their programs. This will help you discern which colleges resonate with your interests.

5. Evaluate Extracurricular Opportunities: Assess the extracurricular activities that colleges offer, like music ensembles, theater productions, art clubs, and engineering projects. Opt for a college that grants ample opportunities for you to continue nurturing your diverse talents beyond the classroom.

6. Seek Advice from Guidance Counselors and Mentors: Consult with your high school counselors, teachers, or mentors who can offer invaluable insights and guidance on finding a college that accommodates your wide-ranging interests and talents.

By adopting these strategies and conducting comprehensive research on colleges that value arts education and provide flexibility in their academic programs, you can pinpoint the perfect college that will foster your diverse talents and empower you in your academic voyage.

Top 3 Credible Sources Used:

The College Board: A renowned organization offering invaluable resources for students seeking information on colleges and universities, including advice on selecting the right college based on personal interests and talents.

U.S. News & World Report - Best Colleges Rankings: An annual publication ranking colleges and universities based on criteria such as academic quality and program offerings. These rankings are a helpful tool for identifying colleges with robust arts programs.

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC): A professional organization committed to supporting high school counselors and college admission professionals. Their resources can provide valuable insights into finding colleges that cater to students with diverse talents and interests.

May God bless you!
James Constantine Frangos.
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