11
Is leaving school for soccer/YouTube/music worth it?
In a room full of teenagers, ask what they all aspire to be when they grow up. You’ll find that the answer of being a doctor or lawyer is overruled. The world is now filled with kids that aspire to be actors, musicians, football players, youtubers, streamers and all the other careers that do not require a degree to be successful and make it in life.
The reality
The rapid growth of digital media shows stories of successful football players making it from poverty, musicians selling out shows and youtubers and streamers making it from their own bedrooms. This is all the proof one needs to know that these careers actually make an impact, but it is important to know that they are successful through talent, consistency and most probably luck.
Look at your background, look at the resources that you have, look at the opportunities that you have currently to progress in life, estimate how much time it would take to get to the finish line, listen to stories of people who made it but later faced hardships and ask yourself this question: is it really worth it to leave school now and focus solely on music/YouTube/soccer?
For example, a grade 11 learner from Olievenhoutbosch Secondary School wants to pursue YouTube and music. He realised in grade 9 that school is not for him. His parents keep on encouraging him to at least finish matric before he focuses on the two careers because they’re not fully guaranteed. He says he ignores the criticism but does acknowledge that things could actually go wrong. If his plans fail, he’ll join the military school.
One other creative individual shared that today’s entertainment industry requires more than talent, you can gain visibility on platforms like TikTok but its not enough. You need connections, especially if you have little experience and knowledge.
“If you know how to produce music, and know how to promote and market yourself, you will succeed”
We asked one young successful South African football player, Thabang Mahlangu who played for the Bafana Bafana under 21 team and Siwelele FC, previously known as SuperSport united if he would advise a 16-year-old to drop out and follow in his footsteps and he said no. “The odds are brutal, for every 1 pro, there are 1000+ talented kids who don’t make it. School is your backup plan. Finish matric at least. You can train and study. Dropping out puts all your pressure on football working, and injuries don’t care about your dreams.” The player finished his matric but did not further his studies. When he first started out, he couldn’t afford proper boots, gym or travelling for trials and he did not give up; he became hungrier to get what he truly desired.
For the talented kids that cannot afford basic entry costs he advises to “Use what you have. Street football, school fields, YouTube drills. Talent gets noticed if you’re consistent. Message clubs/academies directly, ask for trials. Look for community programs, a lot of clubs have development teams. And don’t skip school because of money, education plus football is the safest combo honestly. Seek help and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Last one, believe in yourself.”
The answer
Going back to the Grade 11 learner’s statement. He is willing to finish school until matric but not because he believes school is the only way to make it. Mahlangu was in fact correct Education plus training/effort is the safest combination.
The answer to the article’s question could be not dropping out for your dreams and not killing your dreams for school.
