Very OT: Life-changing decision.

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Jordon

Jordon

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Well, for those of you who don't know me, I'm Jordon. I'm 21, and ever since I picked up a guitar at 12, music has been my life. I've always had thoughts and dreams of doing something in music for a living. Either being a professional musician, or a producer or studio/live engineer. I've had thoughts of even opening up my own studio and instrument repair shop in one building. Basically, I want to do something involving music or guitars for the rest of my life. Now even thought I'm only 21, 22 in 6 days, I feel like I have to get moving in life. I feel this need and drive to make something of myself, or at least get started at it.

I've been working a wonderful job the past 4 months, as a temp-to-hire. I love what I'm doing, and I could really make a career out of it if I had to, and I would be ok with it. The thing is, I as temp-to-hire, but they have just decided that the will not be continuing my position. I've been forced to make a decision before my position ends. I could go back to school and put myself into more debt, and follow what I love (Berklee), or I could take a job doing something I'm great at, but do not enjoy as much, and basically throw any music career out the window for a few years.

The job I'm speaking of is driving bluk semi's over-the-road for Schneider National. They are a great company, and I would have the chance to travel. I could eventually work my way into a dedicated route where I'd be home every day, but that'll take a few years. I'd be starting somewhere around $40,000 a year, maybe a bit less, which is less then I'd be making if my company now hired me on full-term. I love driving, and I'm great at driving tractor-trailers. It is something that runs in my family I suppose. I'd be a 3rd generation OTR driver...well if I were my uncle's son, anyway. I want to go back to school, but I was stupid at 18 and got myself a huge amount of debt, and just cannot afford it, and loans would just fuck me even more.

I would be starting my traning in a month or so, and I'd be up in Green Bay, WI for 2 to 3 weeks, (hey JB!). I'm just so nervous about this all. On one hand, I want to do this, to strike out; but on the other hand, I dont want to leave what I have musically behind. I just started a new project, and I really think it could take off. I'm just afraid of a part of my dying when I do this. Of course I could get a good laptop and bring my PRS and a recording interface on the road with me and write my own stuff...almost a necessity for me. This job would bring a lot to the table in terms of pay, benefits and the chance of travel and freedom in my job, but the changes are actually frightening to me.

I dont get shaken easily. I've been in a situation where I died acording to the paramedics, and during that whole fiasco, I was not afraid. I am now though. For the first time in my life, I'm actually afraid of the next step I'll be making. I've had 3 panic attacks since last Friday when I found out about my job. I guess I just need some mojo or some good words from you all. Like many of you, I consider this board to be a sort of family, my family outside my bloodline.

Thanks for reading my story, and all that good stuff.

-Jordon P
 
I am probably the odd-man-out here, but I vote for driving trucks for a few years. Travel some, see the country, best of all make some money and start saving. I was not unlike you while I was in college. I even dropped out of a decently-regarded engineering school to attend a music conservatory. I knew my life and career was going to revolve around music.

Long story short, I got my bachelor's degree from the conservatory, and music is still a huge part of my life... But music never paid too many bills for me. It was not from a lack of trying either, I mean I played in a freakin' cover band in '97-'98 that played shit like Barenaked Ladies, not even close to my style, but I had to try. Recording studios? Yeah, I've "worked" at several. And by "work," I mean as intern, P.A., "assistant audio engineer" basically the damn janitor made more than me. Looking back (I'm 31 now) I have no regrets. I work as an accountant by day which now means I can afford to enjoy music more by night & weekend. I have friends in "the business" that I can get my studio fix from (or session fix, or the very occasional gig fix).

For me, it was a decision based on economics. i.e. I hate being poor and in debt, but I loves me some music. I like to think that I have found a good balance :thumbsup:
 
I have similar thoughts all the time man...Do I want to be someone's bitch, or do I want to do my own thing, open a studio, etc.

While a musician might choose the obvious and go the studio route, you need to think of obvious pros/cons and think to yourself if it's REALLY worth it. That's what I've been questioning lately. I'm a history major and most likely will go into publishing. I would REALLY love to have a music related career, but in the long run I want: job security, stable income, BENEFITS (very important!), and not have to worry about struggling for money.

I figure...I will try out the "real" job market once I graduate, and see how it pans out. Music will always be a big part of my life, and I can always pursue it on the side.

I say take the job, save a good chunk of cash, then figure it out. Good luck.

-Joe
 
I dunno man... maybe if you want to become a country 'n western singer. I just can't see much if any future in truck driving. The money may be appealing initially, but where can you go from there? It's not like you'll be increasing your skills and working your way up. I can't imagine you'll ever be making much more then what you'd be starting at. The only thing you'd have to look forward to is hemorrhoids, no showers, greasy spoons and holding in your urine for hours on end.

Honestly it sounds to me like you only see 2 choices in front of you, things that fell into your lap. At 21 you have the opportunity to do anything you want. Think about what that is and think about where it might lead you and then pursue it. Money is not as important as it seems at 21... you need to think long term.

It is a critical time for you though. You get a good paying job at 21 and soon you have rent and car payments, loans etc, and you can get stuck doing what you're doing because you can't afford to take a job for anything less. Just something to think about.
 
Rufus Leaking":d048a said:
It is a critical time for you though. You get a good paying job at 21 and soon you have rent and car payments, loans etc, and you can get stuck doing what you're doing because you can't afford to take a job for anything less. Just something to think about.
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Good Point!
 
Rufus Leaking":77354 said:
I dunno man... maybe if you want to become a country 'n western singer. I just can't see much if any future in truck driving. The money may be appealing initially, but where can you go from there? It's not like you'll be increasing your skills and working your way up. I can't imagine you'll ever be making much more then what you'd be starting at. The only thing you'd have to look forward to is hemorrhoids, no showers, greasy spoons and holding in your urine for hours on end.

Honestly it sounds to me like you only see 2 choices in front of you, things that fell into your lap. At 21 you have the opportunity to do anything you want. Think about what that is and think about where it might lead you and then pursue it. Money is not as important as it seems at 21... you need to think long term.

It is a critical time for you though. You get a good paying job at 21 and soon you have rent and car payments, loans etc, and you can get stuck doing what you're doing because you can't afford to take a job for anything less. Just something to think about.
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Truck drivers are in very high demand right now. It's basically a dead end career, but you will make a decent living for sure. My father has been a trucker all of his life and he can't stand it anymore. He's 54 and just started his own business doing Soda Blasting (Baking soda which removes paint, graffiti, and cleans decks). He's beyond burnt out after being on the road for over 30 years...
 
Basically, I see driving a truck as a stepping stone. Basically get out and experience the country. I've always wanted to travel, and working while I do it wouldn't be too bad. As for a future in it? I'm not looking for one, but if I were, well. My grandfather started driving for Schneider, and in a few years owned his own company. My uncle also drove for Schneider for the training they offered, and in the end was making more then anyone in my family...on both sides. He's now an owner operator, and also helps my grandfather with his company. Talking like $100,000 a year plus. There will always be a need for freight drivers, and it is one of the largest growing fields right now. Yes, it is basically dead end, you start driving and you finish driving, unless you start a company or go into the management area, but that is of no concern to me.

I'm not looking to make a career out of this, but I like to experience all I can, and I enjoy driving a lot. I drove a school bus for almost a year, and I loved it, it just paid shit. Basically I need to do something that can get me in a position to go back to school. I havent gone back since I got out of highschool, because I just didn't know what I wanted to do. Now I have an idea, or a few of them anyway, and I'll have to work to get myself through that, and to get out of the debt that I'm in. I look at this as a stepping stone, especially if I can get a dedicated run where I'm home every day. I already have rent, and my car is paid off, with no real reason to get a new car in the next 5 or 6 years.
 
Rufus Leaking":55406 said:
I dunno man... maybe if you want to become a country 'n western singer. I just can't see much if any future in truck driving. The money may be appealing initially, but where can you go from there? It's not like you'll be increasing your skills and working your way up. I can't imagine you'll ever be making much more then what you'd be starting at. The only thing you'd have to look forward to is hemorrhoids, no showers, greasy spoons and holding in your urine for hours on end.
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Not necessarily so... there is a major shortage of people willing to do that job. And the pool is getting smaller all the time. They are paying out the wazoo for anyone willing to do it... There is and will continue to be good cash in long haul driving...
 
A good day job will help you afford all the music gear your heat desires.

I lived music until I was 26. Worked jobs that allowed felxability for rehearsals and gigs. I made shit for money. Loved every minute of it.

One day, I made a conscious decision to "grow up". I cut my hair and got a "real" job. I don't regret it a bit. I am 37 now and have better toys than ever before, own a house in Northern California and have a beautiful wife (yes, she's reading ove my shoulder...) and 3 wonderful children and still jam with my friends two nights a week. Not a bad compromise, I'd say.

Most of the cats I know who have "made it", were well on their way to fame by the time they were 19 or 20. By 26 I was pretty sure I wasn't going global.

I guess what I am saying is, don't give up on your dreams, but having some money (and a shit load of talent) helps them come true.

Good luck Jordan.
 
Honestly man, if you think you can do it, and make some cash, do it! As long as you know it's not permanent.

-Joe
 
The party pooper has arrived!!!

In my opinion, your Plan B (Plan A being something to do with music) should include a college education. You're only 21 years old, which is very young. If things don't pan out for you with the music stuff, unless you want to drive trucks as a career (nothing wrong with that, although your salary is somewhat limited), not having a college degree 10, 20 or 30 years from now is going to be a serious disadvantage for you from a career advancement perspective. Even if you were to eventually want into a lower management position within the trucking industry, you'll be limited without a degree.

Oh, and at 22 years old, it's time to get a move on. You don't want to start college when you're 30, IMO.
 
Bob Savage":81b1a said:
The party pooper has arrived!!!

In my opinion, your Plan B (Plan A being something to do with music) should include a college education. You're only 21 years old, which is very young. If things don't pan out for you with the music stuff, unless you want to drive trucks as a career (nothing wrong with that, although your salary is somewhat limited), not having a college degree 10, 20 or 30 years from now is going to be a serious disadvantage for you from a career advancement perspective. Even if you were to eventually want into a lower management position within the trucking industry, you'll be limited without a degree.

Oh, and at 22 years old, it's time to get a move on. You don't want to start college when you're 30, IMO.
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Excellent advice Bob. :thumbsup:
 
What Chris said is true. I started my "career" at 20, and never finished college. Even though I make good $$, (more than a lot of peeps with degrees) I'm pretty much stuck with what I'm doing. It's not so bad, but it wasn't my "dream" by any stretch of the imagination. Once you get used to having money, it's hard to give that up and be a starving musician or student.
 
I agree with Bob in that a college education would be the way to go. If your driving big rigs and being on the road you won't be able to continue your education. I would try to think long term here and a degree will open up more doors in the future that no degree. Also 40k right now sounds nice to someone who is 22 but not to most 40 yr olds :lol: :LOL:

Everyone probably at some point went through what your doing right now. I also wanted a career in music but it was hard making regular, steady income and what income I did have wasn't much to live on.
 
Bob Savage":860f8 said:
The party pooper has arrived!!!

In my opinion, your Plan B (Plan A being something to do with music) should include a college education. You're only 21 years old, which is very young. If things don't pan out for you with the music stuff, unless you want to drive trucks as a career (nothing wrong with that, although your salary is somewhat limited), not having a college degree 10, 20 or 30 years from now is going to be a serious disadvantage for you from a career advancement perspective. Even if you were to eventually want into a lower management position within the trucking industry, you'll be limited without a degree.

Oh, and at 22 years old, it's time to get a move on. You don't want to start college when you're 30, IMO.
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Ohh an education is in the picture. Most definately on that one. What I'll go for is still in the air, probably should have clarified that. I'd like to go for music production at either Berklee or Columbia in Chicago. Right now is a big turning point, and I can't really go to school untill I get things figured out. I would love to make a career out of playing music, but I have dreams of owning a studio or venue. That is something I will do, but the stepping stones are a bit shaky to me right now. I'm just so confused and unsure of what I should do.

Thanks everyone!
 
When I was 19-21 I drove truck part time quite a bit. My dad drove, and I had my CDL so he and I would team drive and cover 4000-6000 miles in a week, and I drove quite a bit on my own during the summer etc. It's fun for a while, but being gone eats you alive. Especially when you're young and have friends or girlfriends or a family that you're wanting to see and do things with.

It's not a bad job, and it's not a bad way to make a living, but I don't think it's a great way to get where you're wanting to get.
 
Finish your education. A degree in anything will open doors for you in the future. My biggest regret in life, now that I'm almost 36, was that I didn't finish my college education earlier in life. I graduated HS, went into the Marine Corps figuring that I'd travel for awhile and save up some cash to go to school along with the GI Bill. When I got out, I went to school for awhile but got tired of being a broke college student. I went to work for the Postal Service making 40K+ a year (mucho overtime). I took some night college courses but things will always pop up....bills, marriage, kids, etc...I left the PO when I got to work in the music industry. Even where I'm at now, I find that it's hard to get promoted from within because of my lack of a degree. I'm still plugging away when I can, but I do wish I had just buckled up in my early twenties and hung in at Fresno State.
 
ZielGuitarist":b4bc9 said:
Ohh an education is in the picture. Most definately on that one. What I'll go for is still in the air, probably should have clarified that. I'd like to go for music production at either Berklee or Columbia in Chicago. Right now is a big turning point, and I can't really go to school untill I get things figured out. I would love to make a career out of playing music, but I have dreams of owning a studio or venue. That is something I will do, but the stepping stones are a bit shaky to me right now. I'm just so confused and unsure of what I should do.

Thanks everyone!
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PP here again,

If your big dream is to own a studio or venue, skip a music college and get a degree in Business Administration. This is something that you can use for both the music biz AND for a Plan B.
 
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