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Oooh, A Bit Of Advice From Those Who Deem Themselves Successful In Life, And Those Who Don't!, Not directly related to guitar... but guitar is the ultimate goal :P
Animosity
Oct 4 2007, 02:22 AM
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From: Nova Scotia
So I find myself in that pivotal point in everyone's life... college.

I am a freshman this year and I really have absolutely no idea what I want to do for a career. In my honest opinion, the classes are stupid, it feels just like high school only I have to pay ungodly sums of money to get this education. mad.gif

If I could find a job that would let me live on my own and practice guitar everyday, buy new guitars, amps, pedals, etc... I would be a happy man until the day I died. The problem is I don't know what to do! The first thing all of my professors said to us was: "Why are you here?" I had no solid answer for this other than "It is what I am... supposed.... to do?"
So I am just wondering, asking, for some career advice. Did you go to college? What did you major in? If you didn't what do you do, and how does it affect your playing? If you did or did not go to college are you happy?

Please help! unsure.gif

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MickeM
Oct 4 2007, 03:06 AM
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What's best for you in the long run is to go for a career that you will enjoy for 40 years. I'm in the IT business and choose that path since it felt natural at that point (at age 17-18). Right now, after 17 years in the game I can't say it's a lot of fun anymore, I'd rather work in a music store f ex laugh.gif
But thing is that wouldn't pay aswell and it's not all about me no more but mostly wife and kids so I have to stick with it.

I suggest you ask yourself - What is fun? What in the fun area could I work with? ...and then take it from there. To please the soul for 30-40 years you have to enjoy what you do.

And I think it's all wrong if you let others steer you in a certain direction, like - You should study XXX and become YYY because... (fill in "it pays well", "you'll meet lots of chicks" etc.)

Good luck!

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VinceG
Oct 4 2007, 03:39 AM
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heh where on the same spot bro. Im actually majoring in something I personally dont like, Surgical Technician. It pays good on a long run. I figured that I should major in a good paying job and get enough money for me to do the job that I really want to do. If that dream job didnt work out, I still have a good paying job to lean back on so I dont have to be in debt or loose my apartment/house.

Besides, making film is a lot of money. I need something to fall back to when things didnt go as planned.

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exorcyze
Oct 4 2007, 03:58 AM
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I got my AA before getting into my field of computer programming. I had been doing programming since I was a kid and still enjoy doing things that push boundaries. It pays well and takes normal business hours, and if you're of the right mindset then it's fun too.

Personally I think there are two sides of the coin. The primary question is how do you want to live? I did the music career on the side while I was doing programming for many years. We would practice 4-6 hours a night, 5 days a week and 2-4 shows per month ( original material ). This all worked outside my schedule and I didn't have much in the way of financial worries ( even bought my own house in that time period ). Now I have a family with 4 children and my career can still take care of me.

There is *always* the future to look at, you cannot run away from it. If you don't want to have a family, own a house, etc and could be happy working at a music shop or whatnot, then go for it by all means! Otherwise, you'll want to keep in mind something that will be able to support you decently to allow you to focus on your passions on the side.

Enjoy what you do, above all else. It's your life to live and enjoy. A little planning and foresight at this stage in your life could pay out large later on when your views on life ( possibly ) change. Just think about the possibilities realistically and plan accordingly. You can always make time for your passions if they truly are passions, so just make sure to not sacrifice those - they're part of what define you and always will, even if they dissapate in the future.

My $0.02 from my life. =)

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Pavel
Oct 4 2007, 04:36 AM
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Some good points posted here!

I am at same position as Animosity right now and i will say about myself a bit. I have enrolled the 3rd year of college (university...same thing) and i am not satisfied at all with the education here but i do it just to get the diploma, so my parents are sure that i have the high education and can find a job in IT if my musical career doesn't work out.

BUT i also like the university because i meet people with really different approaches to life and they give me ideas and my own thoughts about what i do right, and what wrong. Also, i still need a couple of years to become a decent guitarist so i think this combination of guitar mastering and university is really good. I will have both diploma and i will have time to gain skills on guitar.

So, i know no one can turn me off guitar, but it is good to have a backup plan as life doesn't forgive. Just finish the college to have the diploma.

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DeepRoots
Oct 4 2007, 04:38 AM
Get to da Chopper!
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QUOTE (Pavel @ Oct 4 2007, 04:36 AM) *
i still need a couple of years to become a decent guitarist


laugh.gif
Yeh you're a few years from that yet Pavel! dry.gif

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Jeff
Oct 4 2007, 05:27 AM
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Something to keep in mind is that college will go by quickly. Study hard and get your degree regardless of how stupid the classes may seem to you now. It will be gone in the blink of an eye. You most likely will change your perspective about it over the next few years. And there is nothing wrong with not knowing what you are there for right now. That question poses no relevance in my opinion. I was asked the same thing and I had no clue back then. You can still graduate from college and have a successful music career. Will you be the next Eddie Van Halen?? Who knows, but you don't have to be. You just have to be happy. If you do not pursue your dreams they will never become reality. Also remember that a lot of succesful bands met in college. Use it to your advantage.

I am glad I went to college and I do have a rewarding career financially speaking. Along with a lot of GMC'ers I work in IT. That seems to be a big field for musicians. I would much rather be making music as a profession but out of my own personal fear of not being able to financially support myself, I chose the corporate world. In hind site and based on my own musical abilities I did the right thing. But you may be different than me. And remember too that it will always be your attitude that carries you throughout life in whatever choices you make. I would rather hang with a poor friend with a great attitude than a rich bastard laugh.gif .

Seriously though, you are smart for talking with people who have been there before about these kinds of things. A smart man learns from his mistakes and a wise man learns from the mistakes of others. (I got that from a fortune cookie) OK - no more rambling Dr. Phil speak from me. Best of luck man! smile.gif

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AliMo
Oct 4 2007, 09:27 AM
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I'm not here to give advice, as I'm in the same boat as you Animosity. A little earlier tho, as I'm still in my senior year in high school. At first I thought I would have to decide right away because I needed to know in order to choose a college, but instead I picked one already and am going to decide what I want later. I keep getting told by people like teachers and my parents and guidance counselors that I should be this and that and none of it really appeals to me and it's only being suggested cause its "good money". Of course something in music would be cool, but for me I don't think thats realistic and I'm fine with that, I play because its something I want to do. What I am more worried about is keeping up with playing while im away in college, do you think this will even be a problem or am i just worrying too much about?

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JVM
Oct 4 2007, 09:40 AM
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From: Raleigh-Durham, NC
I'm also in the same boat. I don't know what to do. I have a big chunk of money from my grandfather's will, and I can get into a lot of good schools (probably not some of the tops ones but, definitely into some "good" schools). I'm most worried about location, more than tuition. I'd almost rather not do college altogether. I do think it'll be fun but it will also get in the way of a lot of things. I do have complete determination and ambition to have a musical career, so I'm trying to balance this with some kind of a backup plan in a good location. Going to school in the right place is the most important thing for me, but the "right" location happens to be out of state for me, so finances have to come into play. It's all really confusing and exhausting.

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Delusions of Gra...
Oct 4 2007, 10:21 AM
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Well....Comeing from the guy who's been unhappy with work since the day he left college..... I went for 3 years...trying to get my BA in photography and my minor in Art............but the thing that killed me was "you have to take this Math, Englash ,Soc. Stud. , Phys. ....blah blah blah Ect. " Why was I takeing classes that had nothing to pertain to what I wanted..... But there's not a day that go's by that I wished I had stuck to it cause I might not be in a dead end job like now.... Go with your DREAMS...is all I can say..... If you want to be a Rock Star...go for it....it might be hard ...but you'll at least be happy trying...... I'm not saying you won't end up as a carpenter like me....... but you tried......... If there's something that you realy want to study..then do that...and do it to the best you can.......just don't let other people influence you into doing something you'll be unhappy with.......... Just don't give up on YOUR Dreams........ nuf said....

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Hungus
Oct 4 2007, 10:33 AM
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Well I stopped education at high school.... I dont want a career I want to just do random things and enjoy life. I really dont care that I wont be making much money, thats just fine by me. Im not saying people shouldnt get an education or anything like that im just saying that you should do whatever makes you happy. Maybe go travelling and experience the world, see whats out there and maybe you will find your calling.

My plans are to just do whatever happens and maybe when im 30 or 40 I will start a career...

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Animosity
Oct 4 2007, 10:49 AM
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There is some really good advice, and I am glad that I am not the only one in this position!

The thing that bothers me is that I don't really see any job that can come out of college that I am interested in... my dad kind of told me that business was the way to go, but I don't know that I would be happy in business... I see myself being like the guy in Office Space, and just completely going crazy in some cubical...

Honestly, I would be content with working in a guitar shop, learning to play, and just being able to save up for guitars, amps and pedals. But I don't know if it is possible to get by like this. Is there anyone out there that is working full time in a place like Guitar Center, or any other guitar/music store, that is living on their own(in an apartment or w/e) and is able to get gear they want etc...?

Again, I really appreciate all your advice. Keep it comin'!

biggrin.gif

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Delusions of Gra...
Oct 4 2007, 12:52 PM
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Office work........ It has it's perk's....of course so does working in G.C. . My brother works in an office pounding a pen and punching #'s all day.......... and Id bet he's about 30 lbs over weight because of it.... ; ) but seriousley....... I think it's all about what makes you happy...Your still young...... I'm 36 , wife , kid ...... the only dream I have is retirement.. LOL... and maybe putting a band together for fun... but If I had to do it over ......HHMMmm Maybe you should look into a school that is for music ...and then work at G.C. that would be cool.......

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Hungus
Oct 4 2007, 01:29 PM
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Just get out there man and try to get some work experience at different places. Read up on different things and find something that interests you and you think will make you happy.

Life isnt about getting qualifications you dont want and getting stuck in dead end jobs you hate... its about having fun and enjoying yourself. When your laying on your death bead when your an old man you should be able to look back and say F yhea I had an awesome time and not regret doing anything ...especially not regret doing something for 30 years+

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mattacuk
Oct 4 2007, 04:28 PM
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I just thought in addition to all the usefull advice above I would mention that life often does not go in the direction you expect or want it too. By all means strive to acheive your goals with the best of your ability, but dont be too down hearted if things go wrong - you can still acheive the things you want out of life, but maybe in a different direction smile.gif

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VinceG
Oct 5 2007, 04:15 AM
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QUOTE (Hungus @ Oct 4 2007, 02:33 PM) *
Well I stopped education at high school.... I dont want a career I want to just do random things and enjoy life. I really dont care that I wont be making much money, thats just fine by me. Im not saying people shouldnt get an education or anything like that im just saying that you should do whatever makes you happy. Maybe go travelling and experience the world, see whats out there and maybe you will find your calling.

My plans are to just do whatever happens and maybe when im 30 or 40 I will start a career...


funny story. One of my friends, hes like 20-23 i dont know, he doesnt have a job and stays at home with his parents playing guitar. Then he decided to leave Michigan for a while and started walking to california and getting rides from strangers. Eventually, he met this billionare guy and they hanged out for like a few weeks. He has planes, helecopters and all that stuff. Really cool story. Hes a bassist btw. Really great guy.

I always want to be an exterminator. Something bout it sounds just bada**. hehehe cool.gif

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Hungus
Oct 7 2007, 09:00 PM
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QUOTE (VinceG @ Oct 5 2007, 04:15 PM) *
funny story. One of my friends, hes like 20-23 i dont know, he doesnt have a job and stays at home with his parents playing guitar. Then he decided to leave Michigan for a while and started walking to california and getting rides from strangers. Eventually, he met this billionare guy and they hanged out for like a few weeks. He has planes, helecopters and all that stuff. Really cool story. Hes a bassist btw. Really great guy.

I always want to be an exterminator. Something bout it sounds just bada**. hehehe cool.gif


Thats a pretty cool story man... Did anything come of this friendship, does he own his own helecopter now lol


and yhea being an exterminator would be pretty extreme.... I dont think it would be all that great in reality though. When I was about 14 or 15 at high school I thought it would be awesome to be an undertaker

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Animosity
Oct 8 2007, 05:10 AM
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I really appreciate all of the feedback guys! biggrin.gif

I came back home from college this weekend and talked to one of my buddies who is going to the local community college. He is taking a networking course and sounds like he is having a blast. I have always been interested in computers and have often considered setting up my own LAN Center. So a networking degree would be very helpful(not to mention it is also a high paying career). The nice thing about this community college program is that my buddy said that the networking course also gets your certified with Cisco!

Now I get to tell my parents that I don't want to go to the University anymore and instead want to transfer back home to the Community College. That should be an adventure.. unsure.gif

Again, thank you to everyone who responded! Really appreciate it!

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VinceG
Oct 8 2007, 05:42 AM
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I go to a Community College. Feels like high school because im still comming home. I have a sweet schedule though, I go to school twice a week(Tuesday and Thursday). Plenty of time playing guitar and still keeping my grades good.

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blindwillie
Oct 8 2007, 04:33 PM
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Just something to think about.

Work always gets boring.
If you make a career of the thing you love, it will be just.. work after awhile (pretty soon).
If you pick another career you'll have to live from start with the fact that work isn't the most fun thing in life. But you will still have your "Hobbie".

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