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-- Music & Technology Education or Conservative Education?
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I was in the same spot as you 6 years ago. The school I was going to has one of the most reputable music programs in the country (Middle Tennessee State) and people come from all over the world to attend it.

It was a tough decision, and this was when the economy was booming. I ultimately decided to go into health care (Bachelors of Science in Nursing, Minor in Psychology) and I'm glad I went this route. I have a good paying job that allows me to buy my toys, it's basically recession proof, i can move anywhere I want, and I have multiple opportunities to extend my education and make even more money.

I'd love to have spent those 5.5 years studying music, but I don't want to be that guy sitting on the corner strumming a guitar, hoping for tips. I think musicians like that are rather pathetic (Just my opinion)

There is not much money left in dance music, and it's shrinking in other markets as well, so I'd strongly advise you to get something that will give you job security which will allow you to buy your toys, online production lessons, or whatever. By the time you graduate, who knows where technology will be.

But yea - Don't get a music degree. They don't mean $hit - It's all about getting the job done or not getting it done. (And good luck finding a job to begin with)

I took a Music and Technology course WHILE getting a "conservative" Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. It wasn't a "Music Technology" major, though, it was an actual Music major where I learned compositional theory, music cultures, and a bit about technology.

Learning something like "Music Technology" is such bullshit. Why not go to school to learn Microsoft Word, too, while you're at it? It's just people teaching you how to use the software, what a compressor is, how to use an EQ, etc. They're not going to be able to teach you to make great music. If you want to get a studio job, learning production on your own while having a respectable music education from a real school, not one that is 100% for profit, will make for a far better resume.

Get a real education and double major in something useful with Music on the side; that way you get the music education AND you get a job.

I did a masters in composition and undergrad in piano and computer science. I can't really deny the fact that I could of learned everything on my own but this is true for all undergraduate fields. It did afford me time and a few opportunities but like every other degree other than the ones people will actually verify because your work can kill people if not properly executed, the paper is meaningless. Whether you have a degree in comp sci or say you have one won't really if you can actually do the work.

You won't really learn anything in any field in 4 years so I would just go with what you want to do. You can always go do another degree.

as a final note, If the course you are looking at is one of those fluff music technology courses that will show you garage band and explain what sample rate and lfos are , I would go to the university. You won't learn anything, you will feel like you just bought windows vista and i'm pretty sure there will only be drab geeks that dream of being rockstars.

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Originally posted by DjStephenWiley I'd love to have spent those 5.5 years studying music, but I don't want to be that guy sitting on the corner strumming a guitar, hoping for tips. I think musicians like that are rather pathetic (Just my opinion) But yea - Don't get a music degree. They don't mean $hit - It's all about getting the job done or not getting it done. (And good luck finding a job to begin with)

the problem is that you will be that guy that will have always wondered if he just had picked something he loved rather than the easy money route, he could be making money doing something he loves. I find that situation almost as pathetic as the guy panhandling. Most of my colleagues work in the music industry, some went on to med school ( you can have an undergraduate in basket weaving if you ace your MCATS ) . some became lawyers and one ended up in jail. All with a music degree.

+1 who knows someone that started with music degree and is now a lawyer

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Originally posted by Sonic_c my course includes music history where I have to do university level harvard referenced 5000+ word essays on for example how "music has influenced or contributed to racism in america" Your average idiot prob couldnt do that.

I hear there's a high demand in the industry for people who can write essays on the links between music and racism in America.

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Originally posted by RichieV the problem is that you will be that guy that will have always wondered if he just had picked something he loved rather than the easy money route, he could be making money doing something he loves. I find that situation almost as pathetic as the guy panhandling. Most of my colleagues work in the music industry, some went on to med school ( you can have an undergraduate in basket weaving if you ace your MCATS ) . some became lawyers and one ended up in jail. All with a music degree.

Well aware of all these things. Can also spend two years to be a physicians assistant with any undergrad degree. I know an airline pilot who became one. I didn't go into health care just for easy money. I like helping people and it is a rewarding job. 6 of the last 7 years nurses have been the most trusted profession in the country, with pharmacists beating us out one year. Lawyers are almost always last, although I don't think they should be.

For all of your friends that did those things with a music degree, there are an equal amount, and probably more, who did the music equivalent without a music degree.

Point being: It's all about getting the job done. Doesn't matter if you're managing a nitro drip or engineering for somebody.

Degrees get you jobs (not always of course). Once your foot is in the door the degree is largely irrelevant.

I still wouldn't do a music degree first up because I don't consider it safe enough. If I could have done whatever I wanted to do I would have gone to film school and learned how to act but I went with a science degree instead. The beauty of that is that science brings me money and unbeliavle career progression, yet allows me in the long run to afford much better production gear and even a chance at taking time off to act later on than had I done acting and not made it big.

It's all about how much risk you're willing to take at the end of the day.

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Originally posted by DigiNut I hear there's a high demand in the industry for people who can write essays on the links between music and racism in America.

STFU and read my posts I am saying that essay writing and research are desirable qualities in candidates for jobs in all sectors. When in my posts have i been saying that a degree in music will help you gain work in the music industry definately? i said it could due to networking etc. If you were not so keen to try to be clever and took the time to read my posts you would see my point is;

Unless you intend to look for a specific job a degree of any sorts can add value to your resume. Providing of course you choose a course that demonstrates key qualities employers look for such as research, presenting, academic thinking and writing, time management etc.

If you want to be a doctor do a medical degree if your not sure what you want and are interested in music a music degree wont do you any harm at all.

The music industry is as wavy and irregular as a stream, how can anyone actually expect to make a living in it? Espseially if you are an artist.

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Originally posted by Fledz The beauty of that is that science brings me money and unbeliavle career progression,

I almost spat out my coffee on the keyboard. Funny stuff.

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Originally posted by RichieV I almost spat out my coffee on the keyboard. Funny stuff.

I hope it's not because of that terrible spelling of unbelievable

I should have clarified, I'm working in the pharmaceutical industry, not clinical research. If I said "unbelievable career progression" in lab work then you would definitely have a reason to laugh

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Originally posted by DjStephenWiley Point being: It's all about getting the job done. Doesn't matter if you're managing a nitro drip or engineering for somebody.

I would much rather make music than wipe shit off of old people. I would probably get fired for misplacing the fentanyl. My sister is doing her residency as a doctor in the ER.I watched her work one night and seing people die is not my idea of a good time. Of course I could probably make it fun with the right mix of opiate and epinephrine drip but still, hospitals are depressing.

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Originally posted by Fledz I hope it's not because of that terrible spelling of unbelievable I should have clarified, I'm working in the pharmaceutical industry, not clinical research. If I said "unbelievable career progression" in lab work then you would definitely have a reason to laugh

no it was the blanket science degree thing that made me laugh. Something about someone having an undergraduate in science and making money seemed out of place.

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Originally posted by DigiNut Not to nitpick, but I think "various" is the key word - how many find work within their chosen field? 90% is actually not such a great statistic. Right now that's exactly on par with the U.S. unemployment rate - depending on where you live it may even be higher than the unemployment rate. Some of the more expensive post-grad programs here actually guarantee that you'll find a job within 3 months AND above a certain pay level, otherwise you don't have to pay the tuition. Others are a little less aggressive but still post something like 98-99% employment rates, and within 2-3 months not 6 months. It may not sound like much, but it's the difference between 1 in 10 being unemployed (or employed in some totally unrelated field) and 1 in 100. Think about it.

various fields is just a term i used the course is called audio and video technology all the graduates end up working in television, studios, radio, or video gaming all fields which relate back to the course. 90% is very good is the uk if not excellent most people with degrees over here end up working in the civil service in fact id say only 40% make it into their chosen field.

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Originally posted by RichieV no it was the blanket science degree thing that made me laugh. Something about someone having an undergraduate in science and making money seemed out of place.

Yea depends where you go really. It's quite broad but Australia has a very good science job market so the possibilities are endless.

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Originally posted by RichieV I would much rather make music than wipe shit off of old people. I would probably get fired for misplacing the fentanyl. My sister is doing her residency as a doctor in the ER.I watched her work one night and seing people die is not my idea of a good time. Of course I could probably make it fun with the right mix of opiate and epinephrine drip but still, hospitals are depressing.

Interesting. I didn't know health care workers could only find jobs in hospitals. Try not to hold strong opinions about some things that you clearly do not understand.

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Originally posted by Fledz Yea depends where you go really. It's quite broad but Australia has a very good science job market so the possibilities are endless.

There is science and there is science though. There is more money in the music scene than marine biology in Australia...I would say most science disciplines lack job security. If you are a good musician you have the potential to earn megabucks. If you are a good (or bad) scientist you never will. Either way you have to be prepared to put your heart and soul into it for little financial reward.
@ OP - Ever thought of being an electrician? great pay, plenty of work and plenty of spare time to make music!

You'll still get a decent wage with any science degree though. With music? Yea good luck with that one.

Well to be honest about the music industry side of thigs from what I hear at university most academic musicians are either self employed be that in a band, or their own studio, or even configuring other peoples studios installing bass traps etc, or they teach, or the few make it into record labels as admin and things and work up.

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Originally posted by DjStephenWiley Interesting. I didn't know health care workers could only find jobs in hospitals. Try not to hold strong opinions about some things that you clearly do not understand.

I assumed you were a real nurse with real qualifications. You did mention medical terminology that would make one assume you worked in a hospital.

And the part about strong opinions and not understanding, isn't that tantamount to why I responded to your thread on music education ?

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Originally posted by Fledz You'll still get a decent wage with any science degree though. With music? Yea good luck with that one.

no you don't.

Unless you are specializing in a particular field in science, your science degree ( lets say math ) is about as usefull as a BA ( music )

you will probably find that people with better language skills make more money than most people with an undergraduate in science.

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Originally posted by DjStephenWiley Well aware of all these things. Can also spend two years to be a physicians assistant with any undergrad degree. I know an airline pilot who became one. I didn't go into health care just for easy money. I like helping people and it is a rewarding job. 6 of the last 7 years nurses have been the most trusted profession in the country, with pharmacists beating us out one year. Lawyers are almost always last, although I don't think they should be.

really pharmacists beat nurses out one year? That must have been a fluke. I know firefighters beat out nurses in 01 with the whole 9-11 thing. I don't see Pharmacists doing the same thing lol

but yea, I love music and would love to be studying it, it's hard for me because I'm going through a very tough LPN/RN program. Which I already failed once at in another institution where I was a semester away from LPN status. If I don't make it though this time, I just might do a CNA something.

I educated bachelor in engineer/automation 4 years ago and been working as an engineer since. its not very atractive, late hours, overtime, stress over longer periods etc etc. so i just started a 2 year masterdegree now to get to something else, hopefully better payd and better jobs afterwards, but also to get my mind into something else for a while. also my inspiration in producing suddenly came back here when changing this in my life. somehow i can breath again eventhough my economics will suck the next 2 years, i dont care, i have everything i need except Logic Pro 9, Full Ableton Live 8 and maybe some simple dj gear (which i had before but sold when getting into work, stupid me). my tip is: study as long as u think u can, ull never be as free as you are when studying, and hopefully it can give u a good job afterwards.

edit: btw id study into something that gives u a stabile and good payd job/good cashflow/income, not art/music. art is best learned on your own imo.

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Originally posted by RichieV no you don't. Unless you are specializing in a particular field in science, your science degree ( lets say math ) is about as usefull as a BA ( music ) you will probably find that people with better language skills make more money than most people with an undergraduate in science.

You do realise we live in completely different countries don't you? USA and Australia are not one and the same.

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