Is it cool for a 18y.o. guy to want to become a salsa dancing instructor?

Question:

Is it cool for a 18y.o. guy to want to become a salsa dancing instructor?

I am in process of acquiring a prestigious degree in economics (even though I'm in my 1st year, I've already started disliking economics. Boooored), and the only joy in my life lately is learning to dance salsa at weekly salsa classes. Now I enjoy it so much that I find myself simply dancing in the street while walking.

And yeah, my friends diss me because of it, while my family pressure me and don't approve my newly found passion. They want me to become an investment banker and make lots of $$$

So what is your opinion?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: snowflake et al have some really good points. I'd say that there's nothing wrong with pursuing your passion -- but temper it with a little caution. One of my instructors works as a technical contractor by day, but teaches Latin dances in the evenings. She has repeatedly told me that it makes a *huge* difference when you teach because you love teaching, rather than teaching because you *have* to. It also makes a big difference when you can choose students that you like working with, as opposed to working directly for a club and having little or no choice in the matter. Economics might not be the right discipline for you, but you're still in school, so nothing stops you from pursuing your dance studies in an academic environment (ie, affordably!) while simultaneously exploring other (more lucrative) vocational options.

Another consideration is that most certification programs (like DVIDA/NDCA) can be quite pricey, and it's nice when you have a second, higher paying job to help cover the expenses. It's common for instructors to make money directly based on the degree and quality of their certifications, so if you're really serious about teaching dance, the cost of quality training can add up *quickly*.

Some of the other posters are absolutely correct in suggesting that you experiment with other dances (cha cha, tango, Argentine tango, rumba, swing, etc) -- it gives you a broader range of students to cherry pick from and it also means you're more likely to have something to do at social dances when they play music that can't be danced with salsa.

As a final note (about it being cool or whether it's gay to dance)...well, I had similar concerns about that until I stepped onto the floor with this blond with luminous green eyes and a killer dancer's body and danced tango with her plastered across my front...and she was loving every minute of it. I've never had doubts since. =)