25 year old - life overhaul

S89

I have been involved in the music industry for 8 years, and I'm just about done with it. Although I can support myself from it(more of a subsistence than a living), the culture of my niche (jazz) is rife with elitism and poverty.
But I digress; I am not here to complain, but ask a question.

Given that I am 25, reasonably intelligent, willing to work my !!! off and if need be able to complete any degree (although I'm just about done with schools too), what career in your opinion is most financially rewarding?

I have been so involved with my art that I have almost completely lost touch with what is in demand in the world, hence the simplicity of my question. Any contributions are greatly appreciated, thankyou for reading!

hennerz

Maybe look into engineering? There are maybe types of engineers and there is a shortage of engineers qualifying in the UK. The range of work is also very wide and all encompassing. Good luck!

Sncjw

Don't go for a career that pays the most. Go for a one that you would enjoy. Have you got anything that you enjoy. If you go for a financially rewarding career but miserable as sin is it worth it?

Snakey

The dole queue is full of people who took the advice to follow their dream and not think about the money. In fact that seems to be more or less the OP's current situation.

If you can jump into a financially rewarding career you'll be able to jump out again far sooner than somebody who went for one third of the salary in the expectation that it would be more fulfilling. Even "dream jobs" have a habit of being not what they looked like from afar, while if you are a basically happy person you will be basically happy wherever you find yourself.

Please don't underestimate how much effort is involved in studying for a degree. Just because you didn't stuggle at school and recall your GCSEs - from a rose-tinted eight-year distance - as having been straightforward, doesn't mean you can name your subject, take your pick of Universities, and they'll give you a 2:1 just for turning up. 16% don't even finish their course - and those are people who didn't feel like they were "about done with school" before they even started! Especially if you first need to go and take the right A levels. It's a big financial commitment these days, so think hard.

You might be better off taking your extra life experience straight into the working world. Why not see whether one of the large accountancy firms will take you on? Many of them have non-degree routes now.

Pennywise

Careers that pay the most will be the most demanding in terms of A levels and degree subject/grade, simply because so many people chase the money. You'll be competing against straight A students with 1 degrees and honours in a relevant subject.

Are you happy to follow the work, and move to other parts of the UK or abroad for a decent job? Or do you want to stay where you are? For high flying and engineering type jobs, you'll have to move where the work is. How do you feel about that and how will your family feel?

If you want to stay put or choose your own working location, then you need to think what type of careers are available locally. How about retraining to become a Music teacher - then at least you can use your skills and experience.

Sncjw

Yup uni is a lot harder than college and school because you have to use a lot of analytical skills and try and think what lecturers want. You are responsible for your own learning and if you don't turn up to a lecter then they won't badger you to come unless you miss a major proportion of them to be kicked off. There's a lot of self study in uni and you have to be well organised and strict with yourself. It's hardwork but if you really want something you can do it.
I was doing a nursing course but was removed due to health reasons. I now work as a clerk so in still in the NHS. It was never for the high wage as a nurse but to be a part in the NHS

Paully232000

Sncjw wrote: »

Don't go for a career that pays the most. Go for a one that you would enjoy. Have you got anything that you enjoy. If you go for a financially rewarding career but miserable as sin is it worth it?

I would reiterate this point, don't go for a job that pays the most, go for one you will enjoy/a subject you enjoy.

Especially if you are thinking of doing a degree too, don't spend 3 or more years doing something you are not going to enjoy, and have the thought of doing this subject related to the degree for the rest of your life. All the money in the world is not going to make up for that.

I left a job that paid very well, to go back to uni a while back as i knew it was something i wanted to do, and would/did enjoy. I haven't looked back, and am now moving back toward to the salary I once had, but isn't the be-all and end-all.

As long as you have enough to live on, plus a bit extra, doing something you enjoy will more than make up for the £10s of K less that you make.

Annisele

Well, according to this list you want to work in finance.

But I'd agree with the "do what you enjoy" comments. You don't have to love your work - as you've discovered, loving music doesn't guarantee monetary success - but you have to at least like it.

martinsurrey

if you want to get into finance I wouldnt recommend a degree.

if you're bright, have a GOOD maths alevel and can come across well in an interview (in a suit)

apply for a job at an accountancy/auditor firm for as an AAT trainee

http://www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/baker-tilly#slp-tab

you'll get paid and trained, its faster than you would at uni, and in 6 years you can be a chartered accountant and walk out of practice into industry on £50k+.

But that 6 years will involve full time work (and I mean FULL), plus study at weekends and evenings, plus enough exams to sink a battleship.

dawyldthing

Sncjw wrote: »

Don't go for a career that pays the most. Go for a one that you would enjoy. Have you got anything that you enjoy. If you go for a financially rewarding career but miserable as sin is it worth it?

Second this, we will be working until we are 75 at this rate and while we probably won't stick at one career do do something you don't mind. What are your interests alongside music? As this may help. Plus tutoring will bring in extra money I'm sure

quinndelfre

martinsurrey wrote: »

if you want to get into finance I wouldnt recommend a degree.

if you're bright, have a GOOD maths alevel and can come across well in an interview (in a suit)

apply for a job at an accountancy/auditor firm for as an AAT trainee

http://www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/employers/profile/baker-tilly#slp-tab

you'll get paid and trained, its faster than you would at uni, and in 6 years you can be a chartered accountant and walk out of practice into industry on £50k+.

But that 6 years will involve full time work (and I mean FULL), plus study at weekends and evenings, plus enough exams to sink a battleship.

Anyone following your advice will be competing with uni graduates who may have postgraduate qualifications, and CIMA/ACCA/AAT related qualifications plus relevant experience. Accountants are in demand but entry level positions are flooded with graduates already. Without a degree you have no chance.