re-hello

[Joe_Campbell]

I don't know how to classify this, but this sub-forum seems mostly appropriate; I guess I'm re-introducing myself...


I may have mentioned this a while back, but I come from a brief engineering background. Nothing more than a diploma, and to be honest, a hardly-used one at that.

I've had a bit of a revelation over the past 9 months or so that has led to to make a critical decision: I don't like engineering.

At times, my biggest fear in life has been that I would be 15-20 years down the road and looking back with extreme disappointment on the career I had chosen. I felt that if I continued with engineering, I would become that person.

My experience with classical music is still in its infancy (5-6 years...ish), but it has been a life changing journey. I can think of no other reason to pick up playing an instrument (piano in my case) at such a late age other than a complete love for the music. And now, music is reaching even further into my life, as I intend towards a career in music; I intend to teach, namely, and compose on the side. I love music history a lot, but I would honestly have a blast teaching just about any aspect of it--be it theory, composition, musicology...etc...

This is a rather large decision, and it has my parents perplexed. But I feel it is the right decision--one I can embrace both intellectually and emotionally.

So...hello everyone! In maybe a year's time, I will be a full-time music student (instead of just self-educated, ATM) and I look forward to everything it has to offer. I just thought I'd share this because it's really something that makes me happy in anticipation to mention . Any personal experiences of this ilk would be much appreciated (thank you, Karl).

[karlhenning]

You are most welcome, Joe! And I am delighted for you!

[ChamberNut]

Joe, go for it!  Follow your passion. 

I wish you the very best of luck and success in your new endeavours.

[Joe_Campbell]

Thanks, guys! I'm going to have to re-read that post when I'm not coming off a 12 hour graveyard shift...

Regardless...thank you!

[Harry]

The lost sheep return, where was the man that lead them?
Welcome Joe.

[bhodges]

Joe, your decision to follow your bliss can only engender admiration.  I wish you much success, and hope your parents eventually come around.  Surely when they observe your happiness they will realize you made the right choice.

--Bruce

[(poco) Sforzando]

I have no wish to discourage you. I'm sure you'll have your share of posters cheering you on. But I think it's necessary for someone to play the heavy and point out that it may be very difficult to pursue a full-time career in the arts, especially if you want to marry and raise a family some day.

At age 18 I presumed I was destined to become a famous composer, and I may have had some talent, as I was accepted to major in musical composition at a well-known US conservatory. One year down the road I realized I was not at the level of other composers in the program, and in fact I can think of only one composition major from my time there who has made a considerable reputation by now.

I changed my major to English, finished a doctorate, and taught for a dozen years before losing a close tenure decision. After this I went into the business world and am doing far better financially than I would have if I had stayed with music (or for that matter teaching). Oh - so you don't care about money, you say, so long as you're happy in your work! But try to manage in the United States of America in 2008 and beyond on $35,000 a year. I have a good friend in musicology who has struggled along at that level for years, without a contract for a permanent position, and it's painful. At 50+ he has no other skills he can use for non-musical work, nothing saved for retirement, and when he's 65 I wouldn't count on Social Security to make up the slack.

As a writer for a business firm, I can still spend lots of time listening to music, reading about it, playing the piano, collecting scores, attending concerts, and writing silly posts on the Internet. And I have some financial security. Best of both worlds, I'd say. So you don't like engineering. So what? It's a rare person who finds his job as satisfying as a hobby. If a career as an engineer earns you a good living and lets you do what you really want on the side, I would say: "Remain an engineer."

[PerfectWagnerite]

I've had a bit of a revelation over the past 9 months or so that has led to to make a critical decision: I don't like engineering.

What do you not like about engineering? There are many many different fields of engineering. Maybe you should consider another area before dismissing engineering in general in such a cavalier fashion. Let me tell you something: you probably won't get seriously rich working as an engineer. But a few years on the job it's $90-$100k/year, and it is not a difficult job (well not usually anyway). Try making that teaching music.

Listen to Sforzando, wiser words have never been said.

[Joe_Campbell]

That's fair, ?Sf?. And though I don't ever intend on this happening, I do have something to 'fall back on' should this not turn out OK. However, I feel if I don't play this out, it will be as an unscratched-itch, and a multitude of 'what-ifs.' I don't necessarily follow the logic that one one loves and what one does have to be mutually exclusive. Time will tell, though.

What do you not like about engineering? There are many many different fields of engineering. Maybe you should consider another area before dismissing engineering in general in such a cavalier fashion. Let me tell you something: you probably won't get seriously rich working as an engineer. But a few years on the job it's $90-$100k/year, and it is not a difficult job (well not usually anyway). Try making that teaching music.

Listen to Sforzando, wiser words have never been said.

I've been doing Mechanical Engineering. I know what you mean about the wages. A friend of mine got hired diploma in hand for ~$85k, but he works 3 weeks on, 1 off. My problem is I have zero interest in application of math, though it is my forte; I did not find the program difficult, but neither was it stimulating...I actually joined it on a whim.

[karlhenning]

That's fair, ?Sf?. And though I don't ever intend on this happening, I do have something to 'fall back on' should this not turn out OK.

Yes, I think you've already got a Reserve Plan which Sforz's musicology friend does not — and for that matter, which I do not 

[PerfectWagnerite]

That's fair, ?Sf?. And though I don't ever intend on this happening, I do have something to 'fall back on' should this not turn out OK.

So what is your "fall-back" plan? You have rich parents?

A friend of mine got hired diploma in hand for ~$85k, but he works 3 weeks on, 1 off.

You make it sound like it is a bad thing. 85K working 3 out of every 4 weeks is terrific. Almost as good as my sister - she's a medical doctor and works one 24 hr shift a week.

[karlhenning]

Sort of an odd tangent here, but this seemed the best thread for posting this, which just came to my attention:

Brian May, guitarist for rock band Queen, completes Ph.D. thesis following 30-year hiatus

[Renfield]

Joe, your decision to follow your bliss can only engender admiration.  I wish you much success, and hope your parents eventually come around.  Surely when they observe your happiness they will realize you made the right choice.

--Bruce

Bruce covers me fully, Joe. (Thanks, Bruce.)

Best of success in your chosen path, with all my heart.

And even if it doesn't work out, since I am young and foolish, and existentially inclined (heaven forbid!), I'll say it'll still have been worth it. Choice, after all, could be the only thing we have, and only at best. This seems to be a case of that "best".

[(poco) Sforzando]

Sort of an odd tangent here, but this seemed the best thread for posting this, which just came to my attention:

Brian May, guitarist for rock band Queen, completes Ph.D. thesis following 30-year hiatus

And some Ph.D. candidates take 30 years to complete their theses even without such a hiatus.

[Mark]

Welcome back, Joe.

Crazy plan, but I guess your mind is made up. True, money isn't everything. But it is necessary. Just be sure to be honest with yourself if you reach a point where it's looking like music won't pay the bills. I hope it will, but keep an open mind.

[karlhenning]

And some Ph.D. candidates take 30 years to complete their theses even without such a hiatus.

And without rocking you.

[Mark]

And without rocking you.

[Joe_Campbell]

So what is your "fall-back" plan? You have rich parents?
You make it sound like it is a bad thing. 85K working 3 out of every 4 weeks is terrific. Almost as good as my sister - she's a medical doctor and works one 24 hr shift a week.

My fall back is my diploma, which is 2 years away from a degree.

On another note, 1 24 shift a week! That's pretty cool.

[PerfectWagnerite]

On another note, 1 24 shift a week! That's pretty cool.

Maybe you should think about being a medical doctor then? You know, work 1 day a week and you have 6 days for music.

[Joe_Campbell]

Maybe you should think about being a medical doctor then? You know, work 1 day a week and you have 6 days for music.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does a post-grad as a medical doctor require an undergrad in 'almost anything' just to prove that one has the discipline necessary to succeed?