What Do You Think?
Okay, so I've got a few opportunities and routes I can take in the near future.
- Apply for and get accepted into Illinois State's Masters Degree Equivalency Program in Music Therapy
With a 2.4 GPA out of undergrad, I don't know if I'll get in, but my recommendations seem like they're gonna help, and my interviews and personal statement may help . Not sure if a graduate assistantship is enough to pay rent and stuff, and I may end up taking another job, but it'd be nice to pursue this field of study where I can use my otherwise useless undergrad music degree. I've got most of the application done, just need my CV and personal statement and need to turn it in by the 15th of January this month. Not sure where I'd live or how I'd be able to live there, but it'd be nice to afford an apartment on my own and learn how to live on my own without my girlfriend having to live with me to survive and pay rent. But if I don't get in...
- Tech job with previous employers
This would be good pay ($47k/yr starting, benefits (health, dental, eye, 401k), great team (I know the boss and coworkers and they're great people, I'd just be the youngest person on the team like before). The boss wants someone to fill this "permanent" position, but I know that I want to eventually pursue a grad degree of some kind that would make my music degree useful and develop into a career that is satisfying and financially gratifying. It seems like music therapy is the way to go, I just don't know if there is a way to incorporate my limited technology knowledge in the career or in music somehow. I mostly know hardware, not software and coding stuff. If I take this position, it may be that I'd wait to pursue the grad degree and just take online asynchronous part time courses to knock of requirements in the meantime. I'd also have to either stay with my mom ($300/month but have to deal with the family shit going on) or find some apartment nearby to live on my own (more expensive, $900/$1400 a month, but my own space and freedom).
- Take up a trade
One of my brothers pursued a degree at another 4 year university, but for now he's taken up a trade to get money and pay off his school debts. He's able to afford to live with a roommate in an apartment. I want this, too, as I'm still at home with my mom and my other brother and I need to get out this year somehow. I like working with wood and fixing things, and have 6+ experience in cabling, so maybe electrical and carpentry are options?
These seem to be my options right now. While I'm worried about school debts and my financial future, I also don't want to fall into the temptation to settle for money and lose sight of my dream of satisfaction in life with work and in general. I may be being extremely idealistic, but I'm also 24, soon to be 25, and could use any and all help and advice I can get from those who know more and better than I do.
- Apply for and get accepted into Illinois State's Masters Degree Equivalency Program in Music Therapy
With a 2.4 GPA out of undergrad, I don't know if I'll get in, but my recommendations seem like they're gonna help, and my interviews and personal statement may help . Not sure if a graduate assistantship is enough to pay rent and stuff, and I may end up taking another job, but it'd be nice to pursue this field of study where I can use my otherwise useless undergrad music degree. I've got most of the application done, just need my CV and personal statement and need to turn it in by the 15th of January this month. Not sure where I'd live or how I'd be able to live there, but it'd be nice to afford an apartment on my own and learn how to live on my own without my girlfriend having to live with me to survive and pay rent. But if I don't get in...
- Tech job with previous employers
This would be good pay ($47k/yr starting, benefits (health, dental, eye, 401k), great team (I know the boss and coworkers and they're great people, I'd just be the youngest person on the team like before). The boss wants someone to fill this "permanent" position, but I know that I want to eventually pursue a grad degree of some kind that would make my music degree useful and develop into a career that is satisfying and financially gratifying. It seems like music therapy is the way to go, I just don't know if there is a way to incorporate my limited technology knowledge in the career or in music somehow. I mostly know hardware, not software and coding stuff. If I take this position, it may be that I'd wait to pursue the grad degree and just take online asynchronous part time courses to knock of requirements in the meantime. I'd also have to either stay with my mom ($300/month but have to deal with the family shit going on) or find some apartment nearby to live on my own (more expensive, $900/$1400 a month, but my own space and freedom).
- Take up a trade
One of my brothers pursued a degree at another 4 year university, but for now he's taken up a trade to get money and pay off his school debts. He's able to afford to live with a roommate in an apartment. I want this, too, as I'm still at home with my mom and my other brother and I need to get out this year somehow. I like working with wood and fixing things, and have 6+ experience in cabling, so maybe electrical and carpentry are options?
These seem to be my options right now. While I'm worried about school debts and my financial future, I also don't want to fall into the temptation to settle for money and lose sight of my dream of satisfaction in life with work and in general. I may be being extremely idealistic, but I'm also 24, soon to be 25, and could use any and all help and advice I can get from those who know more and better than I do.
22-25, M
