Comments on: Overqualified and Underemployed http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:48:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.6 By: Astrid Baumgardner http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990&cpage=1#comment-122908 Astrid Baumgardner Fri, 13 May 2011 01:14:57 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990#comment-122908 Great comments here! I agree with Barli that when you are presenting yourself, whether it is in a cover letter, in networking situations or in interviews, it helps to do so with confidence and with a positive attitude. What skills and strengths do you bring to this new situation? What about you is unique? What are the needs of the organization that you are looking at and why are you the best person for the position? And while you are at, what opportunities can you create for yourself? Career paths are rarely build along a straight line; the zig-zags create the tapestry that is your life. Keep the faith in your dream and think of the many different paths that will get you there. Each step you take will get you closer to your dream. In the meantime, you will build up experience, meet more people and learn a lot more about yourself and your potential. Great comments here! I agree with Barli that when you are presenting yourself, whether it is in a cover letter, in networking situations or in interviews, it helps to do so with confidence and with a positive attitude. What skills and strengths do you bring to this new situation? What about you is unique? What are the needs of the organization that you are looking at and why are you the best person for the position? And while you are at, what opportunities can you create for yourself? Career paths are rarely build along a straight line; the zig-zags create the tapestry that is your life. Keep the faith in your dream and think of the many different paths that will get you there. Each step you take will get you closer to your dream. In the meantime, you will build up experience, meet more people and learn a lot more about yourself and your potential.

]]> By: Scott Carrell http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990&cpage=1#comment-122527 Scott Carrell Wed, 11 May 2011 15:25:38 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990#comment-122527 I sympathize with your situation, as I was there at one time. The reality is that most of us with advanced degrees in performance do other jobs to sustain ourselves: teaching privately, teaching at a college, working in the business martketplace, etc. Is it possible for you to expand your private teaching into a "full-time" business? This would provide better financial security and still allow you to manage your own schedule. Also, do you belong to any professional musicians' organizations? I believe that MTNA (www.mtna.org) and other organizations offer group insurance policies and other services to their members. Best wishes in pursuing your dreams! I sympathize with your situation, as I was there at one time. The reality is that most of us with advanced degrees in performance do other jobs to sustain ourselves: teaching privately, teaching at a college, working in the business martketplace, etc. Is it possible for you to expand your private teaching into a “full-time” business? This would provide better financial security and still allow you to manage your own schedule. Also, do you belong to any professional musicians’ organizations? I believe that MTNA (www.mtna.org) and other organizations offer group insurance policies and other services to their members. Best wishes in pursuing your dreams!

]]> By: Barli Nugent http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990&cpage=1#comment-121786 Barli Nugent Mon, 09 May 2011 14:42:47 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990#comment-121786 I agree that Edna's answer is terrific. But I would tweak the idea suggested for your cover letter, that financial realities forced you to consider other possibilities. I understand being in that place, and I agree with Mr. Kirby that in today's economy this is not an unusual experience. But rather than looking at that place as something that has "forced" you into accepting other options, you might consider looking at it as a blessing in disguise . . . and I would even express it in your cover letter/your interview/your own thinking as a chance to see and act on new opportunities. Can you be inspired by the "other" worlds your unexpected employment brings you to, an inspiration that manifests itself in your performing, your teaching and your building of the path that is your career? Call me hopelessly idealistic, but I would urge you to think outside the box, and consider that perhaps your box is too small and perhaps even that what you find yourself in is not a box at all, but a growing pond in which you can swim. Let your eyes dream and yes absolutely, direct the movies of your mind. I agree that Edna’s answer is terrific. But I would tweak the idea suggested for your cover letter, that financial realities forced you to consider other possibilities. I understand being in that place, and I agree with Mr. Kirby that in today’s economy this is not an unusual experience. But rather than looking at that place as something that has “forced” you into accepting other options, you might consider looking at it as a blessing in disguise . . . and I would even express it in your cover letter/your interview/your own thinking as a chance to see and act on new opportunities. Can you be inspired by the “other” worlds your unexpected employment brings you to, an inspiration that manifests itself in your performing, your teaching and your building of the path that is your career? Call me hopelessly idealistic, but I would urge you to think outside the box, and consider that perhaps your box is too small and perhaps even that what you find yourself in is not a box at all, but a growing pond in which you can swim. Let your eyes dream and yes absolutely, direct the movies of your mind.

]]> By: Paul H Kirby http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990&cpage=1#comment-121198 Paul H Kirby Sat, 07 May 2011 18:44:59 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990#comment-121198 Edna has given a very good answer. I would add: All of us in the arts need to realize that the "marketplace" for our skills is not what we would like it to be. You are not the only person who has gone to great schools, done excellent work, feels overqualified for the career of your choice, and haven't "landed" in a satisfactory position. There are a lot of people like you out there, and there will continue to be more. That said, I would add three comments: 1. If you are really dedicated, don't give up. Develop a specialty that will give you an additional "marketing tool." One pianist I know has recorded the "Unknown Ives" and made a great impression recording interesting works that were obscure. Find some niche in music that you can be passionate about and become the world expert on that. It sets you apart. If you're skilled or lucky in choosing, it will be exactly what some university or conservatory is looking for. 2. Having given your job search "your all," and finding yourself continuing to find only part-time and unsatisfactory situations, you may choose to develop another of your skills, such as administration. See if it works for you. In my own case I kept getting rejections from my musical pursuits but unsolicited offers to work in a field that had been a hobby; eventually I decided that "going with the flow" worked better for me than anything else I could think of doing. 3. Regarding health insurance, Edna is obviously correct. However, our health care system is so messed up that I'm not sure I would scrape to pay into it. If you have no substantial assets to lose in a bankruptcy situation, you might be better off saving the insurance premium costs and "rolling the dice." However, if you can afford at least minimal coverage, that would be a much better plan. Edna has given a very good answer. I would add: All of us in the arts need to realize that the “marketplace” for our skills is not what we would like it to be. You are not the only person who has gone to great schools, done excellent work, feels overqualified for the career of your choice, and haven’t “landed” in a satisfactory position. There are a lot of people like you out there, and there will continue to be more. That said, I would add three comments:
1. If you are really dedicated, don’t give up. Develop a specialty that will give you an additional “marketing tool.” One pianist I know has recorded the “Unknown Ives” and made a great impression recording interesting works that were obscure. Find some niche in music that you can be passionate about and become the world expert on that. It sets you apart. If you’re skilled or lucky in choosing, it will be exactly what some university or conservatory is looking for.
2. Having given your job search “your all,” and finding yourself continuing to find only part-time and unsatisfactory situations, you may choose to develop another of your skills, such as administration. See if it works for you. In my own case I kept getting rejections from my musical pursuits but unsolicited offers to work in a field that had been a hobby; eventually I decided that “going with the flow” worked better for me than anything else I could think of doing.
3. Regarding health insurance, Edna is obviously correct. However, our health care system is so messed up that I’m not sure I would scrape to pay into it. If you have no substantial assets to lose in a bankruptcy situation, you might be better off saving the insurance premium costs and “rolling the dice.” However, if you can afford at least minimal coverage, that would be a much better plan.

]]> By: Nar http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990&cpage=1#comment-121003 Nar Fri, 06 May 2011 23:01:08 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990#comment-121003 It is difficult to keep your dreams while being completely aware of reality, but we all must. A great french flutist, who was my teacher some years ago always tells me that one has to look always what we want, but trying to make sure to have -at least- a basis, even if it isn't exactly what we expect, for things are difficult everywhere. Your case is pretty similar to my own, and I know how boring and frustrating it can be sometimes to feel yourself overqualified and/or undervalued, but it is also helpful to remain in contact with others, because you can never know when an opportinity that fits you perfectly will arrive...so go ahead for something to start, and don't give up! It is difficult to keep your dreams while being completely aware of reality, but we all must. A great french flutist, who was my teacher some years ago always tells me that one has to look always what we want, but trying to make sure to have -at least- a basis, even if it isn’t exactly what we expect, for things are difficult everywhere. Your case is pretty similar to my own, and I know how boring and frustrating it can be sometimes to feel yourself overqualified and/or undervalued, but it is also helpful to remain in contact with others, because you can never know when an opportinity that fits you perfectly will arrive…so go ahead for something to start, and don’t give up!

]]> By: Craig Knudsen http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990&cpage=1#comment-120960 Craig Knudsen Fri, 06 May 2011 18:33:44 +0000 http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=990#comment-120960 I agree with the healthcare advice. Catastrophic can help a person avoid total financial devastation, and also provide them with adequate care should (God forbid) something does happen. A music related administrative job is a good idea, but is, in a way, choosing a career path that's a bit different from performance. It never hurts to swallow one's pride and do something like waitressing while continuing to apply for the academic positions. Also, connections are very very important in this business, so think long and hard about who you know that might be in a position to help you. Just being able to drop someone's name when a first contact can serve to get you in a door that might not have opened for you without that name. The harsh reality is that conservatories continue to educate and graduate highly qualified and talented performers, but the number these highly qualified individuals hugely outnumbers the actual number of positions available. Sincerely.........A graduate of a very prestigious conservatory with a degree in vocal performance who has had a successful career in performing but has also work as..... a bus driver a messenger a carpenter a seismographic field worker a baker a teacher a music director a mover a camp director a saxophone player a voice over personality a cheese clerk and now.....a talent agent Good luck to you!!! P.S. - The trick is to marry someone who's work can provide you with health insurance. That's what I did :) I agree with the healthcare advice. Catastrophic can help a person avoid total financial devastation, and also provide them with adequate care should (God forbid) something does happen.
A music related administrative job is a good idea, but is, in a way, choosing a career path that’s a bit different from performance. It never hurts to swallow one’s pride and do something like waitressing while continuing to apply for the academic positions. Also, connections are very very important in this business, so think long and hard about who you know that might be in a position to help you. Just being able to drop someone’s name when a first contact can serve to get you in a door that might not have opened for you without that name.
The harsh reality is that conservatories continue to educate and graduate highly qualified and talented performers, but the number these highly qualified individuals hugely outnumbers the actual number of positions available.

Sincerely………A graduate of a very prestigious conservatory with a degree in vocal performance who has had a successful career in performing but has also work as…..
a bus driver
a messenger
a carpenter
a seismographic field worker
a baker
a teacher
a music director
a mover
a camp director
a saxophone player
a voice over personality
a cheese clerk
and now…..a talent agent

Good luck to you!!!
P.S. – The trick is to marry someone who’s work can provide you with health insurance. That’s what I did :)

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