The Yellow Board

After Band Directing

Posted by Hank on 11/26/2019, 7:43 pm

I've been at this a while and am finding the joy for it to steadily slip away. Does anyone have advice or experience on switching careers?

If so, what career did you switch to and was it worth it?

Re: After Band Directing

Posted by what about $$$ on 12/2/2019, 7:41 am, in reply to "After Band Directing"

To take this a step farther, what about finding a non-teaching job without taking a pay cut?

I've done this long enough at a 5A program that I'm making "okay" money. Switching fields is often not possible for me due to the drop in pay it would create.

You guys that have switched careers--do you do this with a pay cut?

Re: After Band Directing

Posted by Houston on 12/2/2019, 10:31 pm, in reply to "Re: After Band Directing"

I took about a 40% pay cut on salary but when I look at actual money it isn't as big as a cut as it sounds. Dropped a tax bracket, (that's a raise in and of itself). I now have virtually nil expenses on my personal vehicle as I will drive it less than 5k miles this year and will have only 2 oil changes. I also no longer spend much money on gas so that's a savings. My insurance is cheaper and better, (took my kid to the doctor. Doctor and 3 prescriptions cost me $22). Same prescriptions used to cost me $400 the first time each year until I met the deductible. I have a 401K now so free matching on my retirement.

I am not the primary income in our family so that certainly played in some. I have NO second thoughts about the change. My stress level is down and my quality of life is up which is a win for me. Plus I have another 15 to 20 years to work which means I will move vertically in my new career as well meaning I will catch back up to my teaching pay when I left it. I get normal 3 to 5 percent raises plus commission and will get larger bumps in salary as I climb the ladder.

I would offer this one unsolicited piece of advice - if you are in debt it will be tougher to take the pay cut. If you can live on a budget and STICK to the budget then you can make almost any salary work. We have always lived on less than we make. We have no debt and our retirement has reached the point that our investments make more than we put in. If you really want out, set a budget to get out of debt. You might be surprised on just how much money you could live on.

Previous Message

Re: After Band Directing

Posted by Lezlie the Resume Writer on 11/28/2019, 6:01 pm, in reply to "After Band Directing"

Career transitions can be tough, but a good starting point is to begin searching job boards- not for jobs, but for job listings that seem interesting to you. Indeed.com, Glassdoor.com and Google Jobs are a few good examples of job search sites.

From your search, create a list of positions you think you would be good at. Then, research those jobs and identify your most valuable transferrable skills.

Here are just a few alternative career ideas (other than music store rep):

• General management
• Corporate training
• Companies focused on education

I am happy to elaborate, answer additional questions or give your resume a free review- just send an email to:

Lezlie@resumelezlie.com

As an experienced Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)- and former Texas band student, DCI vet, and teacher- I’ve assisted many education professionals, including my husband (former HBD)-, create resumes that highlight their best qualifications and achievements.

Visit ResumeLezlie.com for more information about services, client testimonials and more.

Re: After Band Directing

Posted by Me on 11/27/2019, 4:56 pm, in reply to "After Band Directing"

I have a side hustle that brings in way more than what I make now and I’m a big school head director in a great program. No selling of products, no exercise stuff or diet programs. I have plenty of time to do what I need to do for the business even with a crazy busy career. The best part is I help people with this!! Email me at carpediembanddirector@gmail.com

Re: After Band Directing

Posted by Wary on 12/2/2019, 12:31 pm, in reply to "Re: After Band Directing"

Just be careful, folks.

95% of participants in MLMs lose money. About 2-3% make their initial investment back. Only the top 2% or so actually turn a profit - and even then, it's pennies on the dollar. The average profit is about $50-500 annually from most MLM participants. Only the top .01% make a living wage. If you don't get in at the very beginning, you're the ground floor of someone else's pyramid no matter how hard you try.

Don't get suckered in to MLMs! If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Do your research! If you're not sure if it's an MLM, there's a subreddit (AntiMLM) that curates an up to date list of all the MLM companies out there. There are literally thousands!

(Not accusing the previous poster of this - you may have a legit side line business - but statistically, you're in the absolute minority if you do, and you presented it exactly how people promote their pyramid schemes)

Re: After Band Directing

Posted by Hanktoo on 11/26/2019, 11:20 pm, in reply to "After Band Directing"

I want to leave too. I'm tired of my job. It is not a passion...it is just a job. Nothing can change that...not "ChANgInG YoUrSeLf" either

Previous Message

I've been at this a while and am finding the joy for it to steadily slip away. Does anyone have advice or experience on switching careers?

If so, what career did you switch to and was it worth it?

Re: After Band Directing

Posted by Musicstore on 11/28/2019, 10:22 pm, in reply to "Re: After Band Directing"

I moved to the music store side of life. And really enjoy it. Drive about 1k miles a week. Quiet, peaceful, and way less stress. Still some long days on occasion but nothing like what I did as a Head HS director.....

Previous Message

I want to leave too. I'm tired of my job. It is not a passion...it is just a job. Nothing can change that...not "ChANgInG YoUrSeLf" either

Previous Message

I've been at this a while and am finding the joy for it to steadily slip away. Does anyone have advice or experience on switching careers?

If so, what career did you switch to and was it worth it?

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