Not sure what size venue you live by, but if they have a box office open during the day, apply there for that... or go to bigger venues in town for the same thing. I manage a box office at an arena, and we hire anyone with a fucking pulse that is available during the weekdays. Pay is crappy, but if you work until like 6 or 7, you can stick around and watch the show or whatever.
And yeah... retail in general, the pool of people who can work during the day isn't all that great, someone will hire you.
Or even as a waiter in places that are busy for lunch...
I work in a 24/7 setting (hospital) but at a 9-5 job (physical therapist). Not sure this is helpful tho, considering the required doctorate for PT's, now . I often wish it was NOT 9-5, as I'm a total night owl & despise mornings. Oh well, gotta pay back the college loans somehow. :roll:
i have a bachelors in sociology. the music venue is a small time operation. as i said, i know personally the booking assistant, and the house managers, bartender, and food sales people, and all are young people like me in their twenties, not likely to give up their spots. the other major venue in town, is family owned and operated. unless you know the people who own it and run it, you arent hired. i dont know them.
i got my degree in sociology, but after graduation became decidedly non political. social work and non profit social activist work would be more fulfilling than any office type job, or the job i have now, but it would be too much for me. i dont even read the news because of how talk and discussion of war and violence ruin my day, much less my life.
Im just in a horrible place. I went to school, for years. and went to college, because i expected that getting a bachelors would improve my chances of getting a job. in 2010, bachelors degrees are so common, they are basically worthless.
I want to go back to school, but i cant think of any job I want. I want to pursue art, writing, film, painting etc... but that obviously is a type of work that is hard to come by and its not really something you go to school for.
ive done the volunteering thing. both at this music venue, and at a school, as sociology majors frequently work in the school system. yet volunteering hasnt gotten me a job yet in either of those things. its beyond frustrating...
My dream job: one that is fulfilling. one that means something to me. one that is artistic in nature. one where i express myself, or am around people who are creative. a job that is non caustic. a job that gives me nights off.
Not sure what size venue you live by, but if they have a box office open during the day, apply there for that... or go to bigger venues in town for the same thing. I manage a box office at an arena, and we hire anyone with a fucking pulse that is available during the weekdays. Pay is crappy, but if you work until like 6 or 7, you can stick around and watch the show or whatever.
And yeah... retail in general, the pool of people who can work during the day isn't all that great, someone will hire you.
Or even as a waiter in places that are busy for lunch...
The venue is 400 cap. SRO, 250 seated.
thats the venue i volunteer at. thats it. its virtually all volunteer run. 400 plus volunteers i believe, and by my estimation, theres about 6 or 7 paid jobs if that.
janitor, house managers, booking assistant, office manager, bar tender, and food/candy bar operator. and sound guys. thats it for paid jobs. and i know all of these people. ive been volunteering there for almost 3 years and few if any of those jobs have changed hands. if it was a bunch of 50 year olds in those positions maybe you could expect people to retire, but these are all twenty and thirty year olds
i have a bachelors in sociology. the music venue is a small time operation. as i said, i know personally the booking assistant, and the house managers, bartender, and food sales people, and all are young people like me in their twenties, not likely to give up their spots. the other major venue in town, is family owned and operated. unless you know the people who own it and run it, you arent hired. i dont know them.
i got my degree in sociology, but after graduation became decidedly non political. social work and non profit social activist work would be more fulfilling than any office type job, or the job i have now, but it would be too much for me. i dont even read the news because of how talk and discussion of war and violence ruin my day, much less my life.
Im just in a horrible place. I went to school, for years. and went to college, because i expected that getting a bachelors would improve my chances of getting a job. in 2010, bachelors degrees are so common, they are basically worthless.
I want to go back to school, but i cant think of any job I want. I want to pursue art, writing, film, painting etc... but that obviously is a type of work that is hard to come by and its not really something you go to school for.
ive done the volunteering thing. both at this music venue, and at a school, as sociology majors frequently work in the school system. yet volunteering hasnt gotten me a job yet in either of those things. its beyond frustrating...
My dream job: one that is fulfilling. one that means something to me. one that is artistic in nature. one where i express myself, or am around people who are creative. a job that is non caustic. a job that gives me nights off.
i recommend ass kicking, illegal activities, and lots of deep meditation
I want to go back to school, but i cant think of any job I want. I want to pursue art, writing, film, painting etc... but that obviously is a type of work that is hard to come by and its not really something you go to school for.
My dream job: one that is fulfilling. one that means something to me. one that is artistic in nature. one where i express myself, or am around people who are creative. a job that is non caustic. a job that gives me nights off.
I know LOTS of friends & family who have gone to school for the arts & are now successful...
(cousin & high school friend who are both art teachers, cousin & step-cousin in 2 separate original bands, cousin-in-law who writes / directs / produces films, cousin-in-law who's a tattoo artist, high school friend who paints & owns an art studio, high school friend who is an independent nature photographer, college friend who's an actor, friend who's a muralist / graphic designer AND designs / sculpts extravagant cakes AND is a musician / singer, friend who is a PEARL JAM / Celtics / Bruins photographer who is contracted with several sports / concert venues AND co-manages his brother's clothing line AND is a drummer, friend who tours as a solo acoustic guitarist / singer, friend who's a special effects make-up artist for films, friend who is an MTV consultant, friend who just published a book, 2 friends who are radio DJ's, several friends in tribute / cover bands, my brother's friend who's an actress, my best friend's ex who's an animator for DreamWorks, friend's mom who is owns a photography business, friend's sister who is a culinary artist / chef, etc...).
I'm not trying to lecture you, but you really shouldn't shoot down your options of going back to school for what you LOVE just because it's HARD. All of the examples above fall (for the most part) within your criteria of your "dream job." There's plenty of art to go around, but news flash... sometimes you gotta work for what you want.
a bachelors isnt worthless your right. but as someone who has been a graduate for 3 years now, i can attest to the fact a bachelors isnt what it once was.
there was a time when getting a college degree was a big deal, and it set you apart in the job application process. a boss could see "oh he/she has a college degree, they are going on the top of the list for potential hires". nowadays its quite common for people to have a degrees, in fact thats the whole problem.
if you have a bachelors, you are competing with the millions of other graduates in the same boat. back in our parents day, the job market was WAY different. they werent competing with millions like we are.
experience and the lack of it is the major stumbling block of our generation, or a huge one. you cant get a job without experience, even if you have a degree, im living proof of that. jobs arent going to hire you unless you have experience. yet how can one gain experience, if you arent given a job?
A huge number of our generation is living with their parents, post college. and it sure as hell aint because they are lazy. its because as I said, college degrees dont mean as much anymore, among other factors (college loan debt, high cost of houses and apartments and life in general)
I want to go back to school, but i cant think of any job I want. I want to pursue art, writing, film, painting etc... but that obviously is a type of work that is hard to come by and its not really something you go to school for.
My dream job: one that is fulfilling. one that means something to me. one that is artistic in nature. one where i express myself, or am around people who are creative. a job that is non caustic. a job that gives me nights off.
I know LOTS of friends & family who have gone to school for the arts & are now successful...
(cousin & high school friend who are both art teachers, cousin & step-cousin in 2 separate original bands, cousin-in-law who writes / directs / produces films, cousin-in-law who's a tattoo artist, high school friend who paints & owns an art studio, high school friend who is an independent nature photographer, college friend who's an actor, friend who's a muralist / graphic designer AND designs / sculpts extravagant cakes AND is a musician / singer, friend who is a PEARL JAM / Celtics / Bruins photographer who is contracted with several sports / concert venues AND co-manages his brother's clothing line AND is a drummer, friend who tours as a solo acoustic guitarist / singer, friend who's a special effects make-up artist for films, friend who is an MTV consultant, friend who just published a book, 2 friends who are radio DJ's, several friends in tribute / cover bands, my brother's friend who's an actress, my best friend's ex who's an animator for DreamWorks, friend's mom who is owns a photography business, friend's sister who is a culinary artist / chef, etc...).
I'm not trying to lecture you, but you really shouldn't shoot down your options of going back to school for what you LOVE just because it's HARD. All of the examples above fall (for the most part) within your criteria of your "dream job." There's plenty of art to go around, but news flash... sometimes you gotta work for what you want.
im willing to work for my dream job, but i would imagine every person you listed above has had moments of severe self doubt, depression and despair. ive been fighting for my dream job and trying to find my purpose and calling for years, and its been an extremely tough road. I write daily, have been writing daily for 9 months, and am participating tonight in National Novel Writing Month. I paint, draw, knit, rug hook etc... That said, to know you want to do something, to know you are bent for more, to know your destiny is more than some crap job that you are toiling away at, AND to not know how to get it, to not know how to reach your dream job, to get to your promised land, thats ROUGH!
I had a horrific time getting my first post college job, the job itself sucked the life out of me so i quit. i spent 9 months looking for a better job and that was hell as well. was forced to take the same job but at a different store, and this job is even worse.
I know you werent trying to be mean or condescending. but with all due respect, one can talk about trying to find their dream job all day, and how it involves working at it, but unless you are in the thick of it, the despair, the toil, the day in day out struggle, of putting on a fake smile while the life is sucked out of me at this job, you frankly dont know anything...
im also willing as i said, unlike alot of folks, to put my career on the line and my livelihood to achieve my goals and dreams. its one thing to talk about it, its another to take action. doing my art daily, doing Novel Writing month, painting, drawing etc... quitting a job that was making life hell, striving for a better life and better job etc...
i put my money where my mouth is. whether thats taking a trip to a commune and considering living there permenently as I did years ago, or quitting my job, or wading through the daily junk one has to wade through in a post collegiate existential crisis
I want to go back to school, but i cant think of any job I want. I want to pursue art, writing, film, painting etc... but that obviously is a type of work that is hard to come by and its not really something you go to school for.
My dream job: one that is fulfilling. one that means something to me. one that is artistic in nature. one where i express myself, or am around people who are creative. a job that is non caustic. a job that gives me nights off.
I know LOTS of friends & family who have gone to school for the arts & are now successful...
(cousin & high school friend who are both art teachers, cousin & step-cousin in 2 separate original bands, cousin-in-law who writes / directs / produces films, cousin-in-law who's a tattoo artist, high school friend who paints & owns an art studio, high school friend who is an independent nature photographer, college friend who's an actor, friend who's a muralist / graphic designer AND designs / sculpts extravagant cakes AND is a musician / singer, friend who is a PEARL JAM / Celtics / Bruins photographer who is contracted with several sports / concert venues AND co-manages his brother's clothing line AND is a drummer, friend who tours as a solo acoustic guitarist / singer, friend who's a special effects make-up artist for films, friend who is an MTV consultant, friend who just published a book, 2 friends who are radio DJ's, several friends in tribute / cover bands, my brother's friend who's an actress, my best friend's ex who's an animator for DreamWorks, friend's mom who is owns a photography business, friend's sister who is a culinary artist / chef, etc...).
I'm not trying to lecture you, but you really shouldn't shoot down your options of going back to school for what you LOVE just because it's HARD. All of the examples above fall (for the most part) within your criteria of your "dream job." There's plenty of art to go around, but news flash... sometimes you gotta work for what you want.
im willing to work for my dream job, but i would imagine every person you listed above has had moments of severe self doubt, depression and despair. ive been fighting for my dream job and trying to find my purpose and calling for years, and its been an extremely tough road. I write daily, have been writing daily for 9 months, and am participating tonight in National Novel Writing Month. I paint, draw, knit, rug hook etc... That said, to know you want to do something, to know you are bent for more, to know your destiny is more than some crap job that you are toiling away at, AND to not know how to get it, to not know how to reach your dream job, to get to your promised land, thats ROUGH!
I had a horrific time getting my first post college job, the job itself sucked the life out of me so i quit. i spent 9 months looking for a better job and that was hell as well. was forced to take the same job but at a different store, and this job is even worse.
I know you werent trying to be mean or condescending. but with all due respect, one can talk about trying to find their dream job all day, and how it involves working at it, but unless you are in the thick of it, the despair, the toil, the day in day out struggle, of putting on a fake smile while the life is sucked out of me at this job, you frankly dont know anything...
Perhaps a change of your perspective would help. Soul sucking job day in day out OR one day closer to realizing the dream. Focus on the positive of the day instead of how much it sucks. Been there , man. makes life a living hell. Been given any smiles from a customer you've helped? things like that go a long way toward a change in attitude.
This "dream job" , what specifically do you want to do? giving a general description of it " the arts" aint gonna get you there. Pick something in a more narrow field within the arts and work towar dthat. Ask ANY artist how easy it was to get where they are, see what answers you get. Absolutely nothing worth anything comes easy , my friend.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
I want to go back to school, but i cant think of any job I want. I want to pursue art, writing, film, painting etc... but that obviously is a type of work that is hard to come by and its not really something you go to school for.
My dream job: one that is fulfilling. one that means something to me. one that is artistic in nature. one where i express myself, or am around people who are creative. a job that is non caustic. a job that gives me nights off.
I know LOTS of friends & family who have gone to school for the arts & are now successful...
(cousin & high school friend who are both art teachers, cousin & step-cousin in 2 separate original bands, cousin-in-law who writes / directs / produces films, cousin-in-law who's a tattoo artist, high school friend who paints & owns an art studio, high school friend who is an independent nature photographer, college friend who's an actor, friend who's a muralist / graphic designer AND designs / sculpts extravagant cakes AND is a musician / singer, friend who is a PEARL JAM / Celtics / Bruins photographer who is contracted with several sports / concert venues AND co-manages his brother's clothing line AND is a drummer, friend who tours as a solo acoustic guitarist / singer, friend who's a special effects make-up artist for films, friend who is an MTV consultant, friend who just published a book, 2 friends who are radio DJ's, several friends in tribute / cover bands, my brother's friend who's an actress, my best friend's ex who's an animator for DreamWorks, friend's mom who is owns a photography business, friend's sister who is a culinary artist / chef, etc...).
I'm not trying to lecture you, but you really shouldn't shoot down your options of going back to school for what you LOVE just because it's HARD. All of the examples above fall (for the most part) within your criteria of your "dream job." There's plenty of art to go around, but news flash... sometimes you gotta work for what you want.
im willing to work for my dream job, but i would imagine every person you listed above has had moments of severe self doubt, depression and despair. ive been fighting for my dream job and trying to find my purpose and calling for years, and its been an extremely tough road. I write daily, have been writing daily for 9 months, and am participating tonight in National Novel Writing Month. I paint, draw, knit, rug hook etc... That said, to know you want to do something, to know you are bent for more, to know your destiny is more than some crap job that you are toiling away at, AND to not know how to get it, to not know how to reach your dream job, to get to your promised land, thats ROUGH!
I had a horrific time getting my first post college job, the job itself sucked the life out of me so i quit. i spent 9 months looking for a better job and that was hell as well. was forced to take the same job but at a different store, and this job is even worse.
I know you werent trying to be mean or condescending. but with all due respect, one can talk about trying to find their dream job all day, and how it involves working at it, but unless you are in the thick of it, the despair, the toil, the day in day out struggle, of putting on a fake smile while the life is sucked out of me at this job, you frankly dont know anything...
Yeah, you're right, it is rough. My post was just in response to what you said about going back to school for creative arts. It's still a legit option that can broaden your opportunities, you know what I mean? I don't think it would be a waste of time, once you figure out exactly what your shooting for. Keep at it!
"My life's a culmination of my past achievements
with a lotta heavy lifting, lotta deep breathing
a lotta courage, lotta doubts, a lotta mixed feelings
a lotta love, a lotta luggage for a lotta reasons."
My husband graduated from college a dr. (albeit just an animal dr) but he go a job for an old man who had been in the business for a long time. The old man got sick and my hubby had to pick up a lot of the slack. The old man was a tyrant. He practiced bad medicine and was a true bitch to work for. My husband came home every day and took it out on me. The only reason he stayed was because the pay was about twice as much as he could get anywhere else with his experience, but the old man was willing to pay because he was going to die and he needed someone to be there to work. I finally convinced Will (my husband) that his sanity was not worth any dollar amount. What he really wanted to do was go it alone and start a mobile practice so he could be his own boss, set his own schedule, and not have to worry about mortgages, paying staff and all that junk. He finally took the leap and gave up the nice cushy salary and bit the bullet. It is scary to take those first steps but like others have said, you have to figure out first what you want. Then you can chase down your dream.
im also willing as i said, unlike alot of folks, to put my career on the line and my livelihood to achieve my goals and dreams. its one thing to talk about it, its another to take action. doing my art daily, doing Novel Writing month, painting, drawing etc... quitting a job that was making life hell, striving for a better life and better job etc...
i put my money where my mouth is. whether thats taking a trip to a commune and considering living there permenently as I did years ago, or quitting my job, or wading through the daily junk one has to wade through in a post collegiate existential crisis
Right. I was going to take a self-imposed board hiatus, but I thought I'd jump in here. You have a sociology BA (Hons), right? You know you have a lot of critical faculties at your disposal to facilitate success at an MA in Literature. Literary studies are very interdisciplinary these days: you could extend on your gifts and knowledge and apply them to readings of great novels, poems and playtexts. All the while, you could be formulating advanced skills in writing. Maybe an MA course in English might have a creative writing module.
I've done the voluntary artistic career path bit. I didn't make dosh but I played a lot of gigs in good little venues (and a lot of shitholes) in London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cambridge, Wakefield and other places. I had a great time most of the time. I learnt how to keep cognitive and emotional control of adverse situations - dealing with bad promoters who didn't pay, hopeless sound engineers and PA, shit venues, bad transport and running down train platforms with 200lbs of equipment to avoid missing the last train of the night after a gig - and I thought that all in all, this was a great way to carry on even though I knew it was ridiculously precarious with no guarantee of any solvency (which you know you'll need eventually unless you're a buffoon). The mind conquered the task, but the body gave out. (Cue violins.) I ended up in a negative air pressure isolation room of a hospital as a result of having ingested some lurgy or other while dragging my gear around with me, very likely on the London Underground where there's no ventilation to speak of. That was it. End of the little romance. Back to academia and playing for fun in my bedroom. Call it a Pavlov's dog situation. (End of slightly quirky tale of woe and reflection.)
You have to be tough and competitive in the field of arts even to get heard at all - presuming that you agree that communication is the first objective of artistic endeavour beyond playing for fun in your bedroom - and even if you think you're strong there's something that'll get you if you have a physical Achilles' heel. Be creative by all means, but if you're in any way over-sensitive in the music field, you're fucked from the start and you'll get eaten alive; and if you're mentally strong, you'd better hope you have a superhuman immune system and constitution to match.
Comments
even i know this common knowledge
the jeagler must be drinking a lot again
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
it's go time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdv9yFIoLPk
i got my degree in sociology, but after graduation became decidedly non political. social work and non profit social activist work would be more fulfilling than any office type job, or the job i have now, but it would be too much for me. i dont even read the news because of how talk and discussion of war and violence ruin my day, much less my life.
Im just in a horrible place. I went to school, for years. and went to college, because i expected that getting a bachelors would improve my chances of getting a job. in 2010, bachelors degrees are so common, they are basically worthless.
I want to go back to school, but i cant think of any job I want. I want to pursue art, writing, film, painting etc... but that obviously is a type of work that is hard to come by and its not really something you go to school for.
ive done the volunteering thing. both at this music venue, and at a school, as sociology majors frequently work in the school system. yet volunteering hasnt gotten me a job yet in either of those things. its beyond frustrating...
My dream job: one that is fulfilling. one that means something to me. one that is artistic in nature. one where i express myself, or am around people who are creative. a job that is non caustic. a job that gives me nights off.
thats the venue i volunteer at. thats it. its virtually all volunteer run. 400 plus volunteers i believe, and by my estimation, theres about 6 or 7 paid jobs if that.
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
oh
and writing poetry
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
recommending illegal activities? what kind of example are you setting for this kid? come on man...
horos do we know each other? haha
(cousin & high school friend who are both art teachers, cousin & step-cousin in 2 separate original bands, cousin-in-law who writes / directs / produces films, cousin-in-law who's a tattoo artist, high school friend who paints & owns an art studio, high school friend who is an independent nature photographer, college friend who's an actor, friend who's a muralist / graphic designer AND designs / sculpts extravagant cakes AND is a musician / singer, friend who is a PEARL JAM / Celtics / Bruins photographer who is contracted with several sports / concert venues AND co-manages his brother's clothing line AND is a drummer, friend who tours as a solo acoustic guitarist / singer, friend who's a special effects make-up artist for films, friend who is an MTV consultant, friend who just published a book, 2 friends who are radio DJ's, several friends in tribute / cover bands, my brother's friend who's an actress, my best friend's ex who's an animator for DreamWorks, friend's mom who is owns a photography business, friend's sister who is a culinary artist / chef, etc...).
I'm not trying to lecture you, but you really shouldn't shoot down your options of going back to school for what you LOVE just because it's HARD. All of the examples above fall (for the most part) within your criteria of your "dream job." There's plenty of art to go around, but news flash... sometimes you gotta work for what you want.
cant be that wise if hes smoking.
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
My salary from an entry-level BS required job is double compared to my "seniored" no degree required job.
there was a time when getting a college degree was a big deal, and it set you apart in the job application process. a boss could see "oh he/she has a college degree, they are going on the top of the list for potential hires". nowadays its quite common for people to have a degrees, in fact thats the whole problem.
if you have a bachelors, you are competing with the millions of other graduates in the same boat. back in our parents day, the job market was WAY different. they werent competing with millions like we are.
experience and the lack of it is the major stumbling block of our generation, or a huge one. you cant get a job without experience, even if you have a degree, im living proof of that. jobs arent going to hire you unless you have experience. yet how can one gain experience, if you arent given a job?
A huge number of our generation is living with their parents, post college. and it sure as hell aint because they are lazy. its because as I said, college degrees dont mean as much anymore, among other factors (college loan debt, high cost of houses and apartments and life in general)
jeags you know its only illegal if you get caught.
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
im willing to work for my dream job, but i would imagine every person you listed above has had moments of severe self doubt, depression and despair. ive been fighting for my dream job and trying to find my purpose and calling for years, and its been an extremely tough road. I write daily, have been writing daily for 9 months, and am participating tonight in National Novel Writing Month. I paint, draw, knit, rug hook etc... That said, to know you want to do something, to know you are bent for more, to know your destiny is more than some crap job that you are toiling away at, AND to not know how to get it, to not know how to reach your dream job, to get to your promised land, thats ROUGH!
I had a horrific time getting my first post college job, the job itself sucked the life out of me so i quit. i spent 9 months looking for a better job and that was hell as well. was forced to take the same job but at a different store, and this job is even worse.
I know you werent trying to be mean or condescending. but with all due respect, one can talk about trying to find their dream job all day, and how it involves working at it, but unless you are in the thick of it, the despair, the toil, the day in day out struggle, of putting on a fake smile while the life is sucked out of me at this job, you frankly dont know anything...
i put my money where my mouth is. whether thats taking a trip to a commune and considering living there permenently as I did years ago, or quitting my job, or wading through the daily junk one has to wade through in a post collegiate existential crisis
This "dream job" , what specifically do you want to do? giving a general description of it " the arts" aint gonna get you there. Pick something in a more narrow field within the arts and work towar dthat. Ask ANY artist how easy it was to get where they are, see what answers you get. Absolutely nothing worth anything comes easy , my friend.
Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
"My life's a culmination of my past achievements
with a lotta heavy lifting, lotta deep breathing
a lotta courage, lotta doubts, a lotta mixed feelings
a lotta love, a lotta luggage for a lotta reasons."
Find a job where you get paid to network and mingle in an artsy neighborhood while you volunteer doing tasks that are related to your interests.
Right now it sounds like you've volunteered at a place you've been interested in, but dealt with tasks unrelated to your passion.
Or have an outstanding rack.
Just sayin'.
Sammi: Wanna just break up?
Right. I was going to take a self-imposed board hiatus, but I thought I'd jump in here. You have a sociology BA (Hons), right? You know you have a lot of critical faculties at your disposal to facilitate success at an MA in Literature. Literary studies are very interdisciplinary these days: you could extend on your gifts and knowledge and apply them to readings of great novels, poems and playtexts. All the while, you could be formulating advanced skills in writing. Maybe an MA course in English might have a creative writing module.
I've done the voluntary artistic career path bit. I didn't make dosh but I played a lot of gigs in good little venues (and a lot of shitholes) in London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cambridge, Wakefield and other places. I had a great time most of the time. I learnt how to keep cognitive and emotional control of adverse situations - dealing with bad promoters who didn't pay, hopeless sound engineers and PA, shit venues, bad transport and running down train platforms with 200lbs of equipment to avoid missing the last train of the night after a gig - and I thought that all in all, this was a great way to carry on even though I knew it was ridiculously precarious with no guarantee of any solvency (which you know you'll need eventually unless you're a buffoon). The mind conquered the task, but the body gave out. (Cue violins.) I ended up in a negative air pressure isolation room of a hospital as a result of having ingested some lurgy or other while dragging my gear around with me, very likely on the London Underground where there's no ventilation to speak of. That was it. End of the little romance. Back to academia and playing for fun in my bedroom. Call it a Pavlov's dog situation. (End of slightly quirky tale of woe and reflection.)
You have to be tough and competitive in the field of arts even to get heard at all - presuming that you agree that communication is the first objective of artistic endeavour beyond playing for fun in your bedroom - and even if you think you're strong there's something that'll get you if you have a physical Achilles' heel. Be creative by all means, but if you're in any way over-sensitive in the music field, you're fucked from the start and you'll get eaten alive; and if you're mentally strong, you'd better hope you have a superhuman immune system and constitution to match.
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Edit: Ughh. Now I half-wish I hadn't posted that.