So... What do you want to be?
Perhaps this question has plagued you since childhood, and now that you're in college, you figure it's time to have an answer. Our experience in the Department of Music, however, indicates that most entering freshmen don't have a solid answer. And quite frankly, that's OK!!!
College is the time to develop your talent and explore the vast career opportunities available to you. Although you may feel intimidated that some of your classmates seem to have their career plans all mapped out, even the most "decisive" students invariably change their majors at least one or two times.
Your curriculum in Music is structured so that regardless of your eventual degree track (BS, BS Teacher Certification, Music Minor) your first two years of Music study are essentially the same. Even if you later switch your major entirely out of Music, the transition to a new major will not be difficult; most university curricula will accommodate major changes within the first two years of college.
Oftentimes, it is not until the end of the sophomore year that students have sufficient knowledge to select an appropriate degree program. Students may, of course, make degree program changes during the junior or senior year, although changes outside of a related field will invariably require a scheduling adjustments and will most likely postpone one's graduation. What freshmen and sophomores should begin thinking about: The freshman and sophomore year is not too early to begin contemplating long-range career and educational goals. For instance, many Music degrees require graduate school! Given today's job market, students interested in Performance, Composition, Music History, or Music Theory must have at least a Masters Degree, if not a Doctorate, to be competitive in their respective fields. As early as the freshman year, begin discussing graduate school and career opportunities with your faculty advisor.
Finally, if the career and/or degree program decision is not an easy one for you, take advantage of the many services available to help you. The ECU Career Center offers excellent services to students. Utilize your Faculty Advisor, and other Department of Music faculty for career and educational guidance. And, of course, the Department of Music Office (IMB 104) is open Monday-Friday 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. and is ready to help!
Good luck as you begin your undergraduate career. Let us know what we may do to assist you.
Dr. Mark Hollingsworth, Chair
Department of Music
(580) 559-5474
mholling@ecok.edu
