Therapist or Rock Star

Since the age of 13, I've always dreamed of being a singer/guitar player in a band and on my own. I've always wanted this ever since I discovered the band Oasis. They were my biggest inspiration and still are today.

I'm 20 now, and I still enjoy doing music, but not as much as I did when I was younger. It really disappoints me, but at the same time it feels good to open up about it since I felt as if I'd been trudging along doing the same old stuff all the time in my music career. I've done paying gigs, and it pays really really well. The only problem is it feels as if it's going nowhere now.

I took a psychology course my last year of high school and it really interested me. I never thought of being a therapist as a career, since at the time I was so set on making it as a musician.

I've been seeing a therapist who specializes in abuse, and I think what she does is really inspiring. She mainly works with kids who have dealt with abusive parents. After going to a few sessions with her, I've really considered working on a career as a therapist who helps people deal with abuse.

Of course, I would have to go back to school. Only problem is it would be really hard for me to go back, since I have no money to and I really really don't want to be in debt. If I ever come back to Sweden and become a citizen, I would be able to go to school without the risk of being in massive debt since education is free here. As far as I know, I only have to pay for a few things and it's nothing compared to what it's like back in the US where I'm from.

So I'm really not sure at this point. I can keep going along and working my way up as a musician, or I can work on trying to go to school to become a therapist. I have one LP and one EP so I definitely have that going for me, and I write all my own music. Maybe I could do both somehow if I was able to go back to school?

Hello summersover: I'm encouraged to read this Thread... after having read some of your others that sounded pretty desperate. I don't know which came first. But either way at least at some point you have been imagining a future for yourself rather than thinking about ending it all.

When I was young, I also dreamt of being a musician. I even was accepted at the Boston School of Music. (My parents & one of my high school teachers convinced me it was a silly idea.) I still very occasionally think back & imagine what might have been...

I went on to get a Bachelor's & then a Master's degree & ended up becoming a rehabilitation counselor. Frankly, I think I'd have made a better musician... or maybe a long-haul trucker! But anyway... I would be the last one to suggest that you not pursue your love of music. On the other hand, in a career as a therapist, you could certainly do allot of good. And it would be my perspective that one would have allot more control over one's career as a therapist than one would as a musician where one is at the mercy of the listening public's whims.

So, all things considered, my thought would be to go ahead & pursue your music career. But also do what you can to continue to work toward a career as a therapist if this is of interest so that you have something going for you in addition to music. Under any circumstances, I would imagine that even if you find some success as a musician, it's not likely to be a life-long career unless you are classically trained & become a member of an established orchestra or something of that nature. Good luck! And please keep the faith...

If a career in music is desired, be prepared to go from venue to venue without much pay, or decent facilities to shower and sleep. I once dated a guy who knew a lot about the hardships and reality that comes with pursuing a career in music. It's basically a starving artist type gig, with a very slim, one in a million type chance of ever becoming anything more than a local presence.

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I totally agree with this. I'm a musician but I could never turn it into a full-time career that could get my bills paid on time (or at all).

I'm not sure how things are in Sweden, but in the USA there is a huge need for mental health professionals. It probably wont make you a millionaire, but there are jobs available at non-profits and in the public sector that pay decently and allow you to make a tremendous positive difference in the lives of others.