jack
What career path to combine my love for music, art, helping, and maybe even nature?
Hello everyone, my name is Jack and i'm a 24m looking to go back to school to pursue a higher education(only have grade 12, not the greatest grades either) and start working towards a fulfilling career, i used to work as a train conductor and although the money was good the work didn't fulfill me. My main interests are MUSIC(guitar, singing, producing, performing), ART (always loved to draw since i was a kid) PHYCOLOGY(i find human behaviour very interesting, i love learning how to cope better, how to keep moving forward through traumas, being mindful/spiritual, being aware of our inner dialogue/ego and how we create our lives by the choices we make) and NATURE(the outdoors and being close to animals have been extremely healing for me and i've spent a lot of time over these past two years doing multi week hiking, canoe trips, and pretty much spent the majority of the last two summers camping). And i'll say TRAVEL(has really increased my self-confidence and independence, went to SEA and backpacked for 6 months, plus travelled all across Canada) Art and music have always helped me with my mental health issues. i have been teaching myself guitar over these past 4 years and more recently have been teaching myself music theory, and it has been so much fun learning about it and getting better, i could probably play guitar and sing all day most days of the week. While i've been drawing since i was a child, music is a newer passion of mine but has really helped me get through very painful experiences, where i was able to channel the pain i had into growing a skill i'm proud of. i would love to be able to help other people express themselves, make connection, improve their self-esteem, and cope in healthy ways through art and music. There is Selkirk college nearby to where i am currently living, they offer a Contemporary Music and Technology diploma, thinking about getting to spend the next two years fully indulged in music and having minimal distractions excite me, i love getting to fully indulge and hyper fixate on one thing but i want to be able to make sure i can also have a more definitive career path lined up instead of something in music such as a performer/producer. they also have a two-year human Social Service Worker - Human Services Diploma that interests me. i'm thinking, a career where i can work one on one with people in a therapeutic way would be very fulfilling, as i dont love talking or interacting as much in group settings. is there a education route i could take to combine my love for music art and helping? Could i go to the 2-year college music program here, then transfer to a university where i focus my education on art, psychology to become a therapist who uses both art and music in my practice? i'm 24 and am worried about spending an extended period of time in school, if it takes the next 6 years i will be 30 when starting my career. If i went this route, how long of schooling would i need and am i even able to combine music and art and some type of helping role together. or should i just focus on one medium, either art or music? Money isn't everything but if im going to spend so much time in school and spend so much money, i would like to make a good living where i can be comfortable in life and not stress about money to much, but i am frugal. Another note is i'd love to work with youth, maybe even something in the school system would be cool as I would love to get summers off to travel, i have been contemplating a teaching role as well but i feel this job has so many downsides.
or maybe i should just get a day job, maybe something that helps people, and focus on my own music/artistic "career"/hobby on the side
i hope this post isn't too much useful information, and all over the place, but if anyone has any recommendations on career/education route i should take i would appreciate it so much. Thank you!
6 answers
Garima Lajras
Garima’s Answer
It's wonderful that you have such diverse passions! There are career paths and college programs that allow you to combine your love for music, art, helping others, and even nature. Here are some suggestions:
• Career Paths:
1. Music or Art Therapist
Use music and art to help people overcome physical, emotional, or mental challenges.
Often involves working in schools, hospitals, or rehabilitation centers.
2. Expressive Arts Counselor
Combines multiple art forms, including music, to help clients explore emotions and personal growth.
3. Environmental Educator
Teaches about conservation and nature through creative and artistic methods.
4. Nature-Inspired Artist or Educator
Create and teach art that celebrates nature, possibly working with schools, nonprofits, or parks.
5. Community Arts Coordinator
Organizes projects that blend art, music, and community service, often for nonprofit organizations.
6. Music Educator or Art Teacher
Teach music and art in schools while incorporating innovative and therapeutic methods.
• College Programs to Consider
1. Art Therapy or Music Therapy
Programs like these teach how to use creativity in therapeutic settings.
2. Environmental Art
Focus on using art to promote environmental awareness and sustainability.
3. Education with a Specialty in Art or Music
Combines your love for teaching with your creative passions.
4. Human Development or Counseling
Offers pathways into counseling with a creative focus.
5. Interdisciplinary Studies
Allows you to tailor a program combining art, music, education, and environmental studies.
• Because you have such amazing and diverse passions, I suggest trying these techniques to help you discover what could truly be a great fit for you.
1. Ikigai Framework: Reflect on what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for.
2. Venn Diagram Method: Overlap your passions (art, music, helping, and nature) to identify possible careers.
3. SWOT Analysis: Evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in pursuing a career in this direction.
• You can also explore some free Resources and Courses to see what you enjoy most.
1. Coursera: Courses on art therapy, music therapy, and environmental education.
2. edX: Offers programs in counseling and creative arts.
3. LinkedIn Learning: Courses on combining creativity with teaching or therapy.
This answer is a bit long, but I hope it provides the clarity and guidance you're looking for in your career journey. Wishing you the best of luck as you pursue your dreams and passions!
Megan Collins MA, LMFT, ART-P
Megan’s Answer
Josh Rabinowitz
Josh’s Answer
Kim Matthews
Kim’s Answer
I understand your concerns about time and money but you'll have the best luck doing something you love.
What an exciting time for you! Wishing you the best.
Steward "Tony" Pacheco
Steward "Tony"’s Answer
Narrow it down a bit while you are still making money on the job, because once you jump, the bills jump with you.
I did same in corporate America and jumped to a more outdoors technical position. Climbing poles and dropping cable in NY winter as well as fighting off racoons was enough for me. I quickly returned to a comfortable office, nice suits and warm meals.
But I did volunteer at a community television facility as my studies were in TV/Meda production. The more I assisted different productions, the more exposure I had to editing, sound, lights, storyboards including TD and Directing positions. Even have credits of some award projects which satisfied my urge to be different, make a difference, teach/train others, lead my own TV production and team. Many times under the gun for time and money. The people I met and befriended have helped me move up in corporate America to newer and more exciting venues.
I sacreficed much for these dreams and now retired, I gave up some things, that was not of value to my ambition at that time, but I wish I had them today. So take it by the numbers and test the waters. Taking the river of succes to an ocean of opportunities requires a vessal, if not prepared, drowning is possible. Gods Speed!
Joseph Gelvin Agualada
Joseph Gelvin’s Answer
I just want to say—it’s awesome to see how passionate and dedicated you are to finding a meaningful career! It’s really inspiring to hear about your love for music, art, psychology, and nature. A career that brings all these things together sounds like such a great fit for you.
To help you figure out your path, it might help to think about your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and what excites you the most. You could also reflect on how your goals align with making a positive difference in the world, like contributing to the things you care about most.
Here’s a little exercise to get started:
Imagine you have all the time, money, and resources —
1. What would you spend your time doing?
2. What really matters to you?
3. What makes you happiest?
4. What are you most passionate about?
5. What gives you that spark or drive?
Once you’ve answered these, think about how they connect to what you want to accomplish in life - Question # 1.
Some ideas for your career path:
Expressive Arts Therapy or Music Therapy: These fields mix music, art, and helping people in a meaningful way. You could start with Selkirk College’s Contemporary Music and Technology Diploma, then transfer to a university for Psychology or Expressive Arts Therapy. With some extra certification (just 1-2 years), you could work with youth or individuals using creative expression.
Social Service Work: The 2-year Social Service Worker Diploma is another great option if you want to start working sooner, helping people directly in counseling or youth services.
Here are a few tools to guide your decisions:
1. Ikigai: Think about what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for.
2. SMART Goals: Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
3. A Simple Framework:
Plan: Set your goals.
Do: Start taking steps forward.
Check: See what’s working.
Act: Adjust as needed.
Take your time to reflect on all this. Figuring out your purpose and passion is such a rewarding journey, and I’m sure you’ll find something that feels right for you.
Wishing you all the best as you move forward! 😊