I Am Frustrated With Society

I work in a fast food restaurant, and have worked there for 10 years as I went to 2 colleges. I just graduated in May with my bachelors and I still make $8.15 per hour at this place. Trying to find a career has been tough, and no one wants to give me the time of day. I'm giving it a try again today, calling local museums in hopes they will hire me. At the fast food place on the other hand, I am not happy because I was promised 30+ hours (until I change my schedule). I never changed my schedule, and they dropped my hours to 25. I can't live on this! Fast food workers work harder than an office worker by a long shot, and they are so under paid! Office workers get paid to sit and do paper work and keep track of numbers among other things (trust me, I've worked in a semi office setting in retail for a musical instrument store, so I have an idea of how it can be, and it is stressful), but fast food workers are stressed over the tiniest things and don't get paid enough for what they put up with. I got a fine arts degree and have little to show for it. I did not go through college to stay working in fast food. And where I'm from, no one wants a musician unless they're better than someone in one of the symphonies. And because I'm not up to standard, I don't have the guts to make a fool out of myself in front of judges. People say I have little confidence in myself, when in reality, I know what the pros want! I know that I have to have what it takes, that certain technique and sound, and I can't mess up once. There's so much to it, so much I have to remember...and god bless my friends and family for their support, but they really don't understand that I'm not what the pros are looking for right now. I do not believe that I will be able to get into a symphony at this point in my life. I have to try other avenues in the field for experience. There are other things I can do to succeed in the field rather than focusing on just one. So I'm taking baby steps towards my goal. Getting out of fast food is the first step.

Coconu

I work as a doctor on a cruise ship (ship doctor). There is a girl who plays piano in one of the ship's lounges (before playing piano on the ship, she used to play piano in the lobby of a luxury hotel). There are many jobs in the music field. You have to open your mind and boost your confidence.

PoisonLace · 41-45, F

It depends on experience and standards as well though...and yes, I need more confidence, but I also know what to expect as well as professional expectations.

saggy35

Have you considered a health care job? Those still pay well because they can't be shipped overseas. The salaries for such things as x-ray technicians and ultrasound operators are often amazingly high (to me anyway) 60, 80k, and the schooling required is minimal compared to what you've already done. A few years with that kind of money and you could afford to pursue your fine arts interests as a hobby. Best Wishes!