Throughout high school, music was always an important part of my
life. Although I always knew I wanted to be an engineer, music was a strong
passion of mine that I promised myself I would never give up in college. So I
didn’t..
My name is Katrina Malaski and in the fall I will be a junior at Penn State
University. I am majoring in Chemical Engineering and minoring in Music
Performance with a concentration in oboe. You may think that sounds like a
strange combination, but ironically I am not the only Chemical Engineer
minoring in music, and definitely not the only engineer also pursuing a music
degree.
If you’re reading this and don’t have any interest in music, don’t
stop reading! No matter what your passions are besides engineering, it is
important to not forget about the hobbies and interests that make you
who you are, and to continue to pursue them in college.
Here are a few things I believe are very positive attributes of
minoring in the arts..
1.) Expanding Your Friend Group - I’m sure you will find
quickly that you will be spending the majority of your time surrounded by other
engineers. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, my best friends and roommate are
friends I met through engineering, but sometimes it is good to get away from
the math and science brains and surround yourself with people who share
different and similar interests. Being involved with music in high school
enabled me to form friendships with many people who now attend The Penn State
School of Music. Being involved with instrumental groups at Penn State has
allowed me to grow as a musician as well as form many new friendships.
2.) Escaping Engineering - When your first round of
midterms approaches in the first semester, it is a usual occurrence for
students to freak out and not know how to successfully manage their time. Don’t
worry, somehow you’ll get through it and when it’s over, music can be a great escape
route. I always find myself running to the music building to practice after a
big exam or project is due. Music allows me to be able to escape all the math
formulas or chemistry reactions crammed into my brain and focus on a larger
picture such as a piece of music. For you, your escape may not be music, but
whatever it may be, I’m sure it is just as important.
3.) Small Talk in Job Interviews - One great thing
about being involved in the arts is that everyone who will interview you, will
always interested in how you balance engineering and the arts. I have found
that many professional engineers have also had an interest in music (Including
Cheryl!) at either a high school or college level. Music truly is a universal
language and can open many doors as well as connect you with many people
throughout your life.
4.) Boosting Your GPA - Over the past two years I have
found that by enrolling in music classes, I am able to excell much easier than
in some of my harder engineering classes. A music performance minor is an
additional 22 credits, some of which I find can boost my GPA during a difficult
semester. As a music performance minor, I can choose certain classes that I
want to take and that I know I will be excited about. In this way, my minor
enables me to focus on areas of music I want to advance in. It is also an
extremely flexible minor for whatever classes I choose to study, making it that
much easier for me to accomplish to my goal.
Regardless of whether your passion is the arts or not, it is definitely
worth considering a minor even if it is something far different from
engineering. If you plan to continue with the arts in college by taking
lessons, performing, etc., why not pick up a minor while doing so? If you
choose to pursue a minor in something completely different than engineering,
chances are someone has already done, or is doing, what you plan to achieve.
Talk early to advisers to make sure you can achieve the minor you want, and
without a doubt I am sure you can too be successful.
Katrina Malaski is a junior in Chemical Engineering and Mentor for WEPO'13! To read more about Katrina visit her WEPO Profile:
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