What to do with a music ed degree???

[MartyNeilan]

Post title says it all.

Went to a decent education-oriented school. Top grades. Did all the ensembles. Worked at all the local schools. Won a bunch of useless awards. Also some conservatory training and some (not world-class) pro experience.

Then I couldn't get a real job. Finally got a B.S. private school job. They hated me, I hated them. I put in a resignation for the end of December, they terminated before the semester's end.

Now I can't get a real job anywhere.

Mid 30's. 2 kids. Bills need to get paid. Temp labor doesn't pay much.

Now what?


Marty "if I wanted to be unemployed I could have gotten a performance degree" Neilan

[MartyNeilan]

Sell real estate.

I actually tried selling cars for a month and sold nothing so I decided not to work for free. For some reason, I couldn't make people spend $40,000 when they didn't really want to and had absolutely no need to. Unfortunately, there are enough guys out there who can do that.

High tech.

I did I.S. for ten years, including server admin, desktop support and network engineering. I have been trying to reenter that field, even entry level, but I keep getting stopped because I haven't done it professionally since '01. H.R. departments are just putting up a wall, despite my dozens of applications. I am really hitting up recruiters for contract work as that is often the easiest to get into. I had one almost laugh in my face last week when I told him my degree was in music education. If my wife wasn't moving to Nashville, I might seriously consider going to work for the devil, I mean Bill.

[prototypedenNIS]

check to see if you can get a job in other regions... we are short band teachers up here in Canada.

[MikeMason]

Marty,i can hook you up with band jobs in Alabama over the summer if you're interested.No problem...

[chipster55]

A close friend has a Masters in Music Ed, taught for a year, left and has been in the inurance business for the last 30 yrs - now a regional vp -- and still plays in ensembles, etc.

[windshieldbug]

If you don't mind coop $, that might get your foot back in the door. A few months, then you're "retrained", and maybe an entry level would be a snap with your previous experience. I know it bites, but if they're looking for an elephant, BE an elephant...

[jtuba]

There's also the military. The Army raised it's enlistemet max to 40.

[ai698]

Post title says it all.

Went to a decent education-oriented school. Top grades. Did all the ensembles. Worked at all the local schools. Won a bunch of useless awards. Also some conservatory training and some (not world-class) pro experience.

Then I couldn't get a real job. Finally got a B.S. private school job. They hated me, I hated them. I put in a resignation for the end of December, they terminated before the semester's end.

Now I can't get a real job anywhere.

Mid 30's. 2 kids. Bills need to get paid. Temp labor doesn't pay much.

Now what?


Marty "if I wanted to be unemployed I could have gotten a performance degree" Neilan

I'm in the same boat (taught 11 years, completed my masters courses but don't have the MME). Most of the schools I taught in were pretty bad jobs (all had bad administrations). There's not much open in New Mexico and most of my interviews have been in West Texas. Lots of driving, no bites. I'm still looking but not as hard.

I'm currently working for some friends making barely enough to pay bills. I'm also in the National Guard, which for some reason over the last three year scared some principals and superintendants hiring me worried they would be left without a band director for a year because I'm deployed somewhere sandy and hot. Even when I tell them it won't happen, they're still worried.

There's also the military. The Army raised it's enlistemet max to 40

This isn't a bad option. For the Army Bands, come in E4, two months basic, up to six months School of Music, good paycheck and benefits.

[Lew]

...

I'm also in the National Guard, which for some reason over the last three year scared some principals and superintendants hiring me worried they would be left without a band director for a year because I'm deployed somewhere sandy and hot. Even when I tell them it won't happen, they're still worried.

...

I'm not a lawyer, but this sounds actionable to me. If you have written proof that they denied you employment because of your Guard status, they should be ashamed, and it may be something that they would lose in court.

[Rick F]

You could always apply for a teaching job with the FAA (Federal Aviation Admin).

I'm now retired from the FAA (30 years as a Systems Specialist). There was one instructor I had many years ago at the FAA academy in OK that got hired as an instructor because of his listing of having an "ME" degree on his application. The FAA thought that meant 'Mechanical Engineer' when in fact he had a 'Music Education' degree. This is a true story. He was a pretty good instructor too.

[tubiker]

Sorry folks - but this reminds me of a very old joke...........

Q. What do you say to a Viola player with a job ?

A. Big Mac and Fries please



I came out of College in the UK nearly 30 years ago now and I can still remember the distress of some of my fellow Graduates, particularly those who wished to go into the performing part of the music profession, there was not a cats chance of them being able to earn a good living. Something to do with supply and demand........

Andrew Murray

[MaryAnn]

I feel your pain, too. For me, without spouse and kids to support, it entailed a seven-year trek to my BSEE. I'm not happy but I make a good living. Rare are those who have both.

I'm really curious about the IT job for musicians in Seattle though....I do a lot of programming in my current job but am not a programmer per se. I suspect that job would be fairly temporary though and not worth giving up my five-years-hence pension for. Assuming the pension is not gutted by then.

MA

[Donn]

I'm really curious about the IT job for musicians in Seattle though....I do a lot of programming in my current job but am not a programmer per se. I suspect that job would be fairly temporary though and not worth giving up my five-years-hence pension for.

Right - job could be temporary, or your ability to tolerate it could be temporary. I don't know enough MS employees to have figured out who wins and who loses, but their business is built on the backs of people who get used up in a couple years, and don't get paid all that much, considering.

[tubajoe]

Now I can't get a real job anywhere.

We've talked about this a lot on this board, and it is something that as musicians in the USA it is extremely poignant and pertinent and is something that our academic preparatory programs and supportive organizations ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to address.

Let me be straightforward and speak as if we both have a beer in hand.

You are creating your own obstacles. You say so in your post.
Your use of "Anywhere" is the kicker.

I am guessing it is more like "Anywhere I, my wife or kids are willing to do or go"
(which is TOTALLY OK, just be aware that is the situation if it indeed is)

Here’s the thing:

What do you REALLY WANT TO DO?

Who are you?

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

In 5?

In 20?

What do you want to be known for when you are DEAD?

(I’m not kidding)

I am certainly no financial genius, nor do I play one on TV, but I have learned the hard way that why things elude us because we elude them.

I’ve said this time and time again on this BBS with regards to locale:
(your mention of "anywhere" is what sparked this)

You have to be in a place in this country that will FINANCIALLY and PHILOSOPHICALLY support what you want to do. Often for certain vocations, in this country, those certain areas are few and far between -- especially if your chosen vocation is art-related, as a whole we tend to value art and music as extra-curricular, non-essential and expendable.

However there are a few exceptions. Seek them out and GO THERE. Different situations sometimes exists in different locales and the philosophies of what is deemed "worthy of support" varies across this land as does the synergy, support, and success of colleagues employed within.


Your post says:
“A real jobâ€

[TubaTodd]

Marty,i can hook you up with band jobs in Alabama over the summer if you're interested.No problem...

Uh...what about me?? I'm in a similar situation to Marty. Hook me up dude. I am in a rather unsatisfying private school position. Unfortunately, I teach Math 75% of my day and that has worn me raw. In my present position I do NOT forsee my math workload decreasing unless I leave. Honestly, I know that changing schools will not guarantee my happiness, but switching my daily focus to 100% music, which I love, would bring me a step closer.

At the same time that I find the job "unsatisfying" I see that I am making a difference in the lives of SOME of the students that I work with. It is that difference that helps me start each day. Another part of my dissatisfaction is the fact that I CARE as much as I do. I went on rant in 2 of my classes this week about doing their math homework. I tried to relay the fact that I think of them as my own children and when they don't do their work I feel disappointed. Caring is a part of who I am. That's another reason why the job is stressful. It's hard dedicating myself emotionally to the children's well being only to have my efforts stepped on each and everyday. At the same time that I say all of this, our school doesn't have a drug, violence or weapon problem. It is a rather wholesome environment to teach in. I would hate to leave the safe familar environment in which I teach to enter another school that is less safe and has a host of different problems.

My solution....prayer. That's all I can do right now.

[Carroll]

Marty,

Do not misconstrue this as insensitivity, but I have to go with TubaJoe and say you probably have what you need in front of you. You can most assuredly pick up some private students (Tuba, Euphonium, Trombone... perhaps Trumpet, Horn, Piano, Bass...). I would wager that you could find sectional rehearsal opportunities (the school you tech'ed). Do you have music copying skills? You do not even have to be near the publisher (mailed to you, pdf back for proof, e-mail corrections, mailed back). I know there are music stores relatively near who could use counter/gopher help. Have you researched quintets who need tuba subs or maybe replacements. What about substitute teaching? (I would love to hire subs who could teach instead of babysitting) Is there a church who needs (or wants to start) an orchestra coordinator? What about the folks at Lee? Could they be of any assistance?

If you are relocating to Nashville, these opportunities are amplified.

I am sensitized to your situation because my last student teacher is in similar straits. He wants to go to UNT but at present does not have the jazz skills. He needs to survive while building those skills. I told him these things, as well. The year after completing my Masters at UT Knoxville, I was teaching 55 private lessons per week, subbing with KSO and playing in big bands and pit orchestras. You can find what you need to do.

You are a resourceful person (as evidenced by you posts here) so hang in.

[MikeMason]

Tubatodd, you have to be willing to go where the jobs are...

[Robert N. Calkins]

What do you mean by a "real job"? I had great difficulties in my first two teaching jobs, but was persistent and it paid off. I have been teaching in my current position for 23 years and really like it. I do wish you well and hope you find a doable job in music education. BTW, I did teach private lessons for a number of years and just before getting hired in my current position, I had about 60 students spread out in several school districts. I found lesson teaching rewarding but very taxing (teaching from 2:30 to 9 PM with no break). I also freelanced and had a quintet, so I definitely kept out of trouble. Again, good luck!

Robert N. Calkins
teacher-composer-arranger-performer
rcalkins9@comcast.net

[ai698]

...

I'm also in the National Guard, which for some reason over the last three year scared some principals and superintendants hiring me worried they would be left without a band director for a year because I'm deployed somewhere sandy and hot. Even when I tell them it won't happen, they're still worried.

...

I'm not a lawyer, but this sounds actionable to me. If you have written proof that they denied you employment because of your Guard status, they should be ashamed, and it may be something that they would lose in court.

There is through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, but the only way I could be hired is if they come out and say "We can't hire you BECAUSE you are in the National Guard". In that case, they've just hired themselves a new band director or risk loosing some Federal fundings. All I received is usually something like- "Thank you for your interest in BFE ISD. We have selected another candidate who fits our requirements. Good luck in your job search."

[Tubaryan12]

It's rough out there: My daughter's high school just got a new orchestra director. His last job was at Lowes.