Careers Advice

In class, for our level 3 unit “Getting Work In The Music Industry” we have been looking at careers, working in music and developing a sustainable income. As with all markets, music and the arts are intensely difficult to forge a career in.

One section that RSL focuses on is diversifying and combining incomes from different sources - today this is so important. Once it may have been commonplace for someone to do one role and stay in their specialist line of work. But as technology is changing so rapidly, it’s vital to build as many skills as possible and be open to different styles, opinions and options. The RSL courses we run at Lamp do their best to account for these rapid changes in the market. I’m not saying don’t be highly skilled and build a reputation for this skill set, that would be fantastic, but also develop your broader skills so you are as prepared for changes, particularly those caused by new technologies.

It’s easy to read about the music industry and think it’s not a market I want to enter, I totally understand why. Every week AI is taking more of a foothold, streaming royalties are dreadful and artists seem to have shorter careers than ever. But I don’t think music is alone in this, all industries are facing the same challenges. Where music has an advantage is in its diversity. We have recorded music for general listening, music for TV and Film, music for Games, Theatre, Audio Books, Live sound, Performance. I do a agree with others when they say some of this market will disappear with AI but at its core the music industry is people-based and music

listeners cherish this.

Now more than ever I would recommend to our students and others looking at careers to reach-out to companies and other professionals, to network and build a portfolio. Most importantly build your skills so you are best positioned for changes that will occur. If you do have a passion to build a career talk with people – if an employer knows how passionate and dedicated you are, they are much more likely to give you a chance. Even if they can’t offer you anything, they may know someone who can or be able to offer advice. Who knows, they may have an opportunity for you in the future? In the work I have done for TV none of it has come from sending out a CV and hoping. That’s not to say it can’t happen, but in my experience work has come from connections, showing that you are easy to get on with and reliable. If the publisher/director/company knows you will produce the agreed project within the given time-frame, with little hassle and with enthusiasm, they are much more likely to take you on and give you returning work.

I find one of the most difficult parts of teaching is making students understand that unless you are extremely lucky, you will have to do things in your job you don’t find engaging or fulfilling, it’s a part of life everyone must embrace or at the very least endure and get through. Every career comes with mundane tasks, some form of writing, calculation, form filling and compliance.

With your art, try, to be as open as possible to different styles, ideas, cultures, careers – who knows where this could lead you! The things you least enjoy, you learn to appreciate, possibly even embrace or incorporate in your own work. Lookout for conferences, industry workshops and events.  See:

https://www.prsformusic.com/m-magazine https://www.youthmusic.org.uk/news https://www.heartofenglandmusic.com/

to list just a few.  

By taking advantage of areas that hopefully will thrive, which may include, live sound and sound engineering, location recording, music therapy, education, teaching and instrument repair. You can use these skills whilst also pursuing your passion. Keep positive and productive, reach out, lookout for others, network, stay consistent, work hard, never stop learning. People do notice these things and, fingers crossed, will give you an opportunity. - Matt