If pursuing a music major, would you suggest getting a side job?

Alexis,

There are many opportunities to put ones talents and acquired skills to good use. Many of the musicians that I know that were obtaining a degree in Music also used their talents on the side to make money. Maybe starting a band that plays at small gigs like weddings or special events. If you have the right skills you could use your talents to tutor or instruct other kids in an instrument etc. If you feel confident in your musical abilities you could even going to the local recording studio and contract out your talent to artists who want to record. The possibilities are endless. Sometimes the local YMCA has music programs that also do recording sessions. You could check with local music therapy programs to see how you could get involved.

Collaborate with other musicians in the program and put spins on different songs and record them say on YouTube. A lot of artists were either discovered or given opportunities this way.

If this is your passion then I would say make the side job something related to what you are studying. And if you just need some extra money then having a side job wouldn't hurt as long as you have goals in place just in case you ever find yourself working that side job for way too long.

Hope that helps.

It really depends on your priorities and what will make you happy. If you know you won't be satisfied unless your career is focused on music, then that's where you want to spend your time. Practice, make connections, learn as much as you can. If you know that financial security is very important to you, building up some other skills is likely going to be worth your while. I have a music degree, and while I do work in the field, music has never been and will never be my primary source of income. I know that I prefer a more regular schedule and more financial security, and music jobs don't provide those things for me.

As a sophomore in high school, you don't have to make these decisions right now, but it's worth keeping your priorities in mind so that they can help you make decisions as you prepare for college.

Many in the business of creating music have more than one job. But those who are artists and create, love it! For a few years you might need to wait tables or be in retail, but when you embrace who you are as an artist! Work hard, continually seek to improve your skills, support others in the music community, be friendly, and as time passes, you will make enough money to focus on just music. If not one music job, you might have several music jobs. You can possibly share music skills as a teacher, performer, writer, critic...You might not ever be wealthy by world financial standards, but being a creating music is wonderful and very rewarding!!

It depends on who hires you first and foremost the pay is good if the company is connected to the industry and making moves, so you have to pick and choose the best companies to apply to to make sure you can stand with one income.

I think you should pursue the music if you are truly gifted at it. Why? Because it is a part of who you are. As for "making a living" at it, who can say? It is very competitive and there are no guarantees. But then, how many guarantees are there really? It's always good to have a back-up plan. So I would recommend pursuing your other interests, too - interests that may produce more of a steady paycheck. As for the engineering field, if you are very good at it, there will always be a demand for good engineers. You must be very technically inclined. And you have to have a good ear. Then you need to decide if you want to build your own home studio and work from it, or go to work for someone else at an already-established studio. I think a lot of it is just getting that first recording out there of your work and building from there. All the best!