Sometimes your agent may say that you didn't get the job as a dancer, but that the client is interested in having you as an extra on set.

This can also be an option. It pays, though will not be as rewarding as being a dancer. Being an extra or background artist can involve long hours and there can be a lot of sitting around not doing much.

However if this doesn't sound too bad to you, then it is an alternative to working in the bar or as a waiter/ waitress!

If you are trained in acting it is worth auditioning or applying to be with agencies that represent actors. Not only will this help you to build up your experience in acting but you'll find that you can also find jobs that involve both acting and dancing. Not bad at all!

                         

If you wish to act or sing as well as dance, then it is best to go to a dance college that trains you in all three disciplines. Once you do, you can use all these skills and not just dancing to support yourself in a career.

Other careers associated with dance can be community work, as the skills in dancing or acting can readily be used in these settings. You can also look into jobs as a fitness instructor or an instructor in dance exercise.

Whilst this may not be purely dance you are still dancing and moving about! These jobs tend to be at gyms and leisure centres, and you may be able to apply directly to them.

Working in a gym like this running a dance exercise class or a dance based workout will also usually require an additional qualification such as that of a fitness instructor or something similar in order to get on board.

Once you have these you can apply to work in any gym (and there are many around in towns and cities) and it can provide a good living.

                         

If none of these sound good to you, and all you want to do is dance...then I commend you on your single-mindedness! However you must be prepared to work hard! If dance is to be your full-time living you will need to get to the top.

There are many dancers who never make it into a full-time living or anything close to that. This is why everything we talked about early on to do with training to a high standard and going to dance college is important.

Being trained as a dancer in more than one discipline makes you more employable. Dance colleges will usually give you a technique foundation that will allow you to do this. And perhaps you can learn a new dance style as well to compliment your current skills.

As hard an industry as it is, it is possible to make it if you have the talent. And people do make it. It is a dream and a great dream, and ultimately it is down to you to make it happen.

                         

So work hard, what you do in your youth is more important than you think. When you are in the industry you will be up against the best dancers from around the country, even around the world.

It won't be just those from your local dance school. A lot of those around from your local school will not make it as a dancer.

If you want to be one of those that do, you need to be prepared. From attending dance classes regularly, saving up for college, working hard at college, going to dance classes and training in your spare time and then eventually succeeding at dance auditions and working as a dancer.

For those that make it, there are fewer careers better than that of a dancer. It is a great feeling to wake up every day knowing that you are doing something that you love and that is important to you. And to know how hard you worked hard to make it happen.