Interesting Career Choices for Music Graduates
Global superstars such as The Weeknd and Grimes have once again proven that Canada is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. These artists, together with other industry players are inspiring countless youths to study towards a qualification in music or creative arts and subsequently pursue a career in music. If music is your passion, you will be happy to hear that there are numerous careers you can consider that don’t necessarily entail singing or playing a musical instrument. Music producers, music writers, and booking agents are all of vital importance to the music industry, providing invaluable services to artists and fans alike.
Things to consider before choosing your career path
While you will more than likely be very eager to jump head-first into your first job after graduation, there are a few things to keep in mind. Following your dreams is always admirable, but it is equally important to ensure that by doing so you will be able to pay your bills. Many graduates are left with rather hefty student loans to pay, and it’s important to find a job that will allow you to cover your repayments and get out of debt quickly. It is furthermore important not to be disheartened if you don’t land your dream-job straight out of college. Any job is better than no job and many of the biggest names in the music industry, such as Leonard Cohen, only found fame when they were much older.
Become a music producer
If the likes of Deryck Whibley and David Foster feature on your list of role-models, you can probably already see yourself as a future top-notch music producer. Deciding to follow a career in music production after graduation can prove to be very fruitful, especially considering that, in 2017, Canada became the sixth largest recorded music market in the world. As a music producer, you will be actively involved in a range of activities such as producing and arranging music, recording songs, and even writing music. When a music producer is not busy in the studio, he is out trying to find the next Drake or Justin Bieber.
Music journalists are in high demand
If you have a way with words, you can easily combine it with your musical qualification and pursue a career in music journalism. Due to the high amount of media coverage that the music industry generates, music writers will always be in high demand. Whether you choose to start your own blog, write for a popular publication such as Rolling Stone or Alternative Press, or are more drawn to the idea of writing for TV shows like Entertainment Tonight and E! News, music journalism can prove to be a very rewarding job.
Consider a job as a booking agent
Booking agents are responsible for negotiating deals and planning tours and appearances for the various artists on their roster. The majority of booking agents start out by being interns or assistants at large booking firms while others start by applying for learnership programs on a part-time basis. As you gain more experience and become a fully-fledged booking agent, you can either continue to work for a booking firm or choose to work on your own. While you may frequently rub shoulders with some well-known names in the industry, your career will by no means be all glitz and glam. Being an in-demand booking agent is hard work, and you will have to keep your finger on the industry pulse if you plan to represent any of the big names in the industry.
The Canadian music industry may not be the biggest in the world, but it undoubtedly is at the top of the list as far as potential is concerned. Regardless of the career path you choose to follow, being involved in the industry is bound to be extremely lucrative and enjoyable.
