It has long been a stereotype that people who pursue the “arts” as a career will have a hard time with success or making money.

Oftentimes, parents and teachers try and steer students away from those types of careers. They will tell them that it is unreasonable and unrealistic, that they should go for a career that will make them money.

I personally find it unfair to the arts and the students themselves to have this mindset.

Artists are so much more than what first comes to people’s minds. They are more than just people who are good at drawing or painting. Of course, there are those types of artists but, overall, arts are so much deeper and diverse.

I am tired of the misconception that artists will never be successful, and that being an artist is not real jobs. It is a frustrating prejudice that needs to be stopped.

A true artist is someone who creates, and by that standard, artists are all around you.

They are the people who design websites, they are the people who make the commercials you see on the TV, they are the people who design the homes you live in, and so many other things you don’t even realize.

Artists help build the world as you know it.

These people all work hard on creating and designing for a living. They make money from it.

Isn’t that what makes people so apprehensive? They fear that artists will have no success?

Of course not everyone can be the next Banksy or Steven Spielberg, but that doesn’t mean we should put students down for wanting to follow their dreams. Because clearly there are reasonable options for them.

Now, I’m not saying that students shouldn’t aspire to become the next best painter or singer. I firmly believe if that is what they want to do, they should follow it.

I just want everyone to be more aware that artists have so many options career wise that can lead to successful and fulfilling careers.

Not everyone can be a lawyer, or doctor, or teacher.

It is unfair to force artists and people alike to conform into a workforce they don’t belong in just for the fear of failure.

Just because you went to law school doesn’t mean you’ll become a successful lawyer.

I just think that schools and parents should be supportive of students career decisions, no matter their choice.

I do not think schools should make us feel like we’ll have less success or that we will always struggle to find work.

Many times, I have felt like people at school make me to feel like I am making the wrong choice. There is no wrong choice. I want to do something that makes me happy.

Not everyone else has to do what I want to do, but I still want to do it.

I truly wish that artists were given the support and recognition they deserve.

We do so much more than people realize, and it’s time that is recognized.