I'm out of college now......and wondering what to do.....

scorpionldr · #1 01-19-2009, 10:42 PM

So I basically finished up a degree in music studies, came out with knowledge in piano tuning, etc.

Lately I just received an email from a teacher who was originally wishing me well, but upon my asking for a recommendation letter, I was told how bad of a student I was (apparently just SOOO horrible in his eyes).

Aside from that, I'm having a hell of a time trying to find a job, I've systematically lost all my good friends, my musical life currently is in a purgatorial status aside from returning to my roots of clarinet to play with a community symphonic band, and life is usually pretty good on the couch until I start looking into things to **** myself off and become miserable about the fact that I'm 24 years old and hardly have any career path to follow.

Any advice where to go to meet new people? Or advice in general?

armywalaby · #2 01-19-2009, 10:45 PM

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT:

You could always look into the various bands of the Military.

FreaqyFrequency · #3 01-19-2009, 10:47 PM

I'm assuming that, because you post here, you're a bass player? Look for a group or a steady gig until you can get a job. Or start your own, you could meet some interesting people now that you have a degree. Whatever you do, spend as little time at home and on here as possible, and as much time meeting people and establishing connections as possible.

When you walk in to meet someone, stand straight, wear a warm smile and project a knowledgable, enthusiastic young musician who is open to any possibilities. You could go a long way.

-Sean

scorpionldr · #4 01-19-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreaqyFrequency

I'm assuming that, because you post here, you're a bass player? Look for a group or a steady gig until you can get a job. Or start your own, you could meet some interesting people now that you have a degree. Whatever you do, spend as little time at home and on here as possible, and as much time meeting people and establishing connections as possible.

I attempted to join a coverband that went self-destruct. And the fact that any band I have been involved with has been started by me (and if we look back on my first band, I made it popular and then was kicked out of it) has made me weary of how to start over again.....especially given if I want to play the music I am fanatic over (think death, destruction, exposing evil, etc) how I'm going to find people in my current NJ area.

There has been Jimmy G and The Chocolate Factory which all TBer's love to hate, which at least keeps some things rumbling around....but thats reached a turning point as well. www.myspace.com/jimmygfactory for all who care. Oh and I'm beginning to work on learning keyboards.

And I've submitted two resumes to cruiselines.

scorpionldr · #5 01-19-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armywalaby

THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT:

You could always look into the various bands of the Military.

heh i went to college to get away from the military, although now i recall i AM looking for a government job.

Bard2dbone · #6 01-19-2009, 11:00 PM

The horrible vague empty future you see before you right now is the reason I changed away from a music degree. It occurred to me after a semester or so that if I finished the music degree that I was pursuing, I'd be qualified to teach band...and pretty much nothing else.

Consider completely unrelated fields. You've at least go a piece of paper that says you can finish college. Go get any job you can find. Most people don't work in their degree field anyway.

My guitarist from my last band had a dual major, degrees in history and philosophy. He worked for Radio Shack.

scorpionldr · #7 01-19-2009, 11:07 PM

Well the job situation I'm not really that worried about.......my primary concern is to get a job for money, then develop my musical workings to something that may grow.

Basically my degree just says "Hey! I play music!"

iamlowsound · #8 01-19-2009, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bard2dbone

My guitarist from my last band had a dual major, degrees in history and philosophy. He worked for Radio Shack.

He works at Radio Shack because he has a dual major in history and philosophy. You would be surprised how many people with those degrees work at Radio Shack. Probably more than work in a related field.

lowsound

ADbassman · #9 01-19-2009, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

He works at Radio Shack because he has a dual major in history and philosophy. You would be surprised how many people with those degrees work at Radio Shack. Probably more than work in a related field.

lowsound

Wow, there's plenty of work you can get with a history degree. Philosophy on the other hand...

Bard2dbone · #10 01-19-2009, 11:20 PM

I remember we used to ask him why he had chosen philsosphy as a major. He said "Philosophy teaches how to really use your brain."

I would reply "If it teaches you to use your brain, shouldn't it have taught you to pick a more lucrative field?"

CertifiedLurker · #11 01-20-2009, 12:59 AM

How about teaching?

warwick.hoy · #12 01-20-2009, 01:22 AM

"I don't know; get married"

sarcastro83 · #13 01-20-2009, 02:05 AM

Kinkos might be hiring... times are tough, after all...

scorpionldr · #14 01-20-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

"I don't know; get married"

I'm pretty sure that advice falls into the "trouble meeting people" category. as far as kinkos, I will not fall that low.

sarcastro83 · #15 01-20-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpionldr

as far as kinkos, I will not fall that low.

Kind of a piss-poor attitude to have when you're essentially here asking for advice on how to get employed. A job's a job. If I've learned anything, it's that you take what you can get until you find something better.

Another thing a lot of my college educated friends learned is that your degree from any school doesn't owe you jack **** in terms of a career. You either get lucky, or you work your ass off until you get in doing what you want to.

tycobb73 · #16 01-20-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpionldr

as far as kinkos, I will not fall that low.

When I was in college I wrote for the college paper for fun. This artistic type English major was my editor and gave me my assignments. About 8 years later I was at Kinkos and he was working behind the counter.

Note: I do not have anything against English majors or Kinkos.

TheVoiceless · #17 01-20-2009, 09:21 AM

If music is what you are looking to do then get out an go on some auditions. I live in NJ and play bass and never found it hard to find a band. If a job is what your going for we have tons of areas of work to choose from. Think of any industry and its in NJ. Just get of the couch and try and find something for the meantime.

Nyarlathotep · #18 01-20-2009, 09:34 AM

I've honestly never understood the idea of going to college to learn history, philosophy or even music as a career. No offense. Im sure music has the greatest chance at something out of those examples. I also think all those are great, but only really on a personal interest level.

Hell, I just graduated the ELT for electrical and I'm having trouble finding anything. And its a trade that supposedly was screaming for people. Tho I guess if it hadn't taking a year and a half to get in plus the 4 months it too me to complete.

Man the job market can change fast

Anyways, good luck

MJ5150 · #19 01-20-2009, 09:46 AM

Set out before you a map of the USA....
Put on a blindfold....
Stick your finger (or a push pin) somewhere on the map, and then remove the blindfold...
Pack up all your earthly belongings and move there.....
Don't forget to pack an open mind, determination, and a good attitude....

-Mike

scorpionldr · #20 01-20-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tycobb73

When I was in college I wrote for the college paper for fun. This artistic type English major was my editor and gave me my assignments. About 8 years later I was at Kinkos and he was working behind the counter.

Note: I do not have anything against English majors or Kinkos.

I don't know.....it just sounds more self-respecting if i have a desk and phones to answer.