Last month, I ran a survey related to career changes and musicians.
The survey was borne out of conversations I found myself having repeatedly with friends, colleagues, and coaching clients, all trying to find their footing in the midst of our new reality. Many of these musicians express a desire to shift gears in their lives and explore new opportunities outside of music. However, for some, the fear and potential for judgment for doing so is paralyzing.
I realized that we need to have more open conversations about how this crazy year is affecting our lives and careers — not just as a whole but individually and personally.
For some folks, the pandemic is forcing them to take stock of their lives and ask hard questions for the very first time. For others, it’s a moment filled with opportunity and new horizons. And of course, for a lucky few, it’s simply a period of wait before their musical lives return to normal.
I want to thank everyone who responded to this survey. Some of you were so very open and candid about what you’re going through and I appreciate it greatly. I’ve included many of the findings below and I’m exploring ways to expand this project into a greater resource and open dialogue in the future.
I’ve been rather open about my opinion that musicians should not be “one-track-minded” within their musical careers or their lives. I’m a big proponent of developing skills and passions outside of music for a number of reasons.
Personally, at every stage of my career, I’ve had an eye elsewhere — not because I do not love being a musician, but because I know that I am more than “just” a musician. A fulfilled life for me is doing more than “just” music — or “just” anything.
That’s not to suggest that I believe every musician should be looking to other careers or anything like that. However, I am suggesting musicians who know they really might be happier in careers outside of music stop forcing themselves to grin and bear it.
It’s hard, I know. The external and internal pressures to buckle down and make it work are powerful.
78% of survey respondents believe there is a stigma surrounding musicians changing careers.
Meanwhile, 37% of respondents are considering or have already decided to completely change careers.
I can’t help but wonder if that 37% would be even higher if such a stigma did not exist.
The stigma is perplexing and heartbreaking to me and this was reflected deeply in some of the individual responses. There are musicians out there — some with degrees from the best of schools and jobs in great orchestras — who are seriously struggling. Their career, even prior to the pandemic, has not turned out how they hoped. They feel stuck and alone, afraid of the judgment that they believe will come with packing it up and moving on.
But why do we do this to ourselves?
It’s time we talk about it. I don’t have the answers. But maybe 2020 is giving us the perfect opening to start collectively and individually examining why this stigma exists and why we buy into it.
If you would like to be involved in any way in the further exploration and development of this project, please contact me. Similarly, if you have ideas, questions, or resources you’d like me to explore or share, please let me know.
Be well.
Pivot Project Survey Key Findings
(Note: I am not a statistician and this is not a scientific study. I am aware there are flaws. I have posted only some of the results here. Please note, respondents were instructed to “select all that apply” in many questions).
Demographics:
126 responses, primarily comprised of freelance musicians, members of part-time and full-time orchestras, full-time and part-time students, higher education faculty, military band members, lessons teachers, and arts administrators.
Income changes Due to the pandemic:
70% report loss of income
22% report no change of income — these respondents were overwhelmingly military band members
3% report increase of income
(5% did not answer income-related questions)
How the pandemic has changed future goals:
18% plan to emphasize teaching
23% plan to emphasize or develop a musical speciality (such as arranging)
40% plan to develop skills outside of music
20% plan to take more auditions
11% plan to audition for military bands
40% of respondents selected “I don’t know — and I am worried”
The stigma:
78% believe there is a stigma surrounding musicians changing careers
11% do not believe there is a stigma
11% are unsure such a stigma exists
**there were many custom responses to this question — this is reflected roughly in these percentages
30% believe the pandemic is helping to break down the stigma
Responses from Career Changers:
Primary reasons respondents decided to change careers:
64% financial reasons
14% family
24% a desire for a more regular schedule
21% injury or illness
29% potential for better artistic enrichment and growth
38% stress
38% burnout
31% unhappy with the culture and social environment within the field
53% a desire to explore other interests and passions
36% a desire to work in a field where they could have a greater societal impact
10% lost interest
12% distaste for auditions
17% the pandemic
Types of careers respondents transitioned (or are currently transitioning) into:
Academic
Arts admin
Artistic planning
Arts development
Bookkeeper and tax prep specialist
Clinical psychologist
Coach
Consultant
Community organizer
Data analytics
Digital innovation
Foreign service/diplomacy
Hobby farm
Homemaker
Instrument maker
Instrument repair
IT
Law
Librarian
Marketing
Music librarian
Occupational therapist
Personal trainer
Physical therapist
Product invention and sales
Public transportation
Publishing company
Pre-school teacher
Real estate agent
Secondary school teacher
Small business owner
UX designer
Was changing careers the right move?
64% yes
36% unsure
0% no