Ok....going to give you some personal experience from an old lady who is older than your mom.

Growing up my parents just barely made it through high school while I did well accedemically though I had to work hard.

My parents had no knowledge of college or even REAL career choices so I had no one I trusted for guidance. So when I graduated from high school I decided to go to junior college & major in music as I had music in my life since I was 5 years old. Seemed like the right choice. That was until I graduated with my AA in music & transferred as a junior to the 4 year university.

Competition in music was rough & I could not compete with students whose parents had afforded the best music teachers.

So the delema hit me. I really didn't want to be a school music teacher so I started investigating other careers & majors. I changed majors as a junior & decided to go with computer science & accounting information systems. Took me another 4 years to graduate. The thing was thst I didn't give up my music. I still played in chamber groups & did the performance on the level I was ok at. I actually ended up with a computer engineering career & the music I loved on the side which at times brought in extra money.

The point I realized was tgat I could have both in my life. A good paying career & my enjoyment of performing my music.

Sometimes when we limit either of our abilities we do a disservice to ourselves.

All this I had to find out on my own. Not knowing your mom but maybe she just cares so much for you she may not want to see you make similar mistakes as she may have made in her life. It is not being paranoid.....it is just caring & wanting to see you be able to successfully have money enough to be totally independent.

Bottom line....your happiness & talents have to be your priority. It would be horrible to have a good career that you hate. It is important to weigh all your thoughts & feelings on the choices we make. Horrible years down the road & regret a choice we made....either way.....that is why much thought is needed & your mom probably is trying to protect you from what she feels might be a bad choice.

Money isn't everything but it sure is important when one wants to be independent.....but so is doing what makes us happy....nice when we can have both.