Does Music Education Matter In The Real World?

I'm going to play the devil's advocate on the topic, "Should I really get a degree for music or music business?"

You can get all of the text books from a highly accredited school at the local library or amazon.com. Seriously, you can! I searched online and found all of the text books this specific music school uses and I found out that I could save about $39,600 if I studied on my own. Here's what I've come up with if I studied on my own:

Pros: You decide when you study specific subjects, you create your own ideas, no need to compete with others, you develop your style faster as its derived with your own study, more time to dedicate to study or practicing vs. hanging out and wasting time, you do your networking online. If I have questions, I can arrange a private lesson and prep up specific questions with someone that has graduated.

Cons: No teachers to get different points of view on topics, no students to help push yourself to become better at your craft, not a lot of people to bounce off ideas, a block of time is scheduled weather if fits your lifestyle or not, not a lot of face to face networking. If I have questions, there's no teacher available.

What other things can you list for pros and cons?

I've figured out that at the end of the day, getting a degree only matters for one thing, and one thing only - to get a job at a specific company. After that, it's all about experience because no one is going to remember the type of degree or from what university you got it from. Weather you like it or not, getting a degree is a requirement for social status. Just like getting a model of the year car.

If you want to work for a company (there is absolutely nothing wrong with that) I suggest you getting a degree as it will give you a slight boost for that company.

If you want to build your own business, I suggest what Warren Buffet has suggested many times before, "Read, read, and read". Educate yourself in the field you want to succeed in and know everything and anything about that topic. Then, take action on what you know to build your empire!

Whatever you decide to do in life, you can't go wrong by working to achieve your ultimate goal. It's a proven fact that successful people are successful because they love, enjoy and have a passion for what they do!

I wish you much success in your life. Really, I do.