Two Years Out: What Keeps Me Going
I still consider myself a “newbie” to the music therapy, but find myself more dedicated to the field after passing my second anniversary of clinical practice. In addition to a deeper confidence and greater flexibility while leading sessions (which is a great feeling!), I feel this second year has led me to lose some of the idealism around music therapy I held a few years ago. And that’s not a bad thing.
As a student and into my first year of practice, when people would ask me why I decided to go into music therapy, my pat answer would be, “I want to help people and I love music. Music therapy combines my two passions!” This wasn’t a bad or misleading answer, but as I start my third year as a clinician I’ve decided this isn’t a complete justification for my career.
In the three and a half years since graduation, I’ve been surprised with how many new professional colleagues have or considered moving into a different field (some maintaining the MT-BC credential and others not). From my graduating class, people have moved into administrative positions, gone to graduate school in counseling, and looked into becoming occupational therapists or music educators. Everyone has their own paths and I can see the value in diversifying one’s background in today’s job market. In comparison, I find myself examining my choice to continue my music therapy studies at the graduate level with full understanding of the challenges of being a music therapist. The starting pay leaves something to be desired, full-time work can be difficult to find, and the continual need for advocacy sometimes make your passion feel more like a chore. What has kept me going?
Working in a supportive environment and chances to advocate in my state association have prevented me from burnout while taking on a greater ownership of my job. Evolving my idealistic, oversimplified version of music therapy (altruism + music = great sessions!) has led to a more robust rationale for what I do. Today, I would say I’m a music therapist for many reasons: our system of healthcare and clients deserve innovation, music therapy offers creative approaches to resolve challenges, and I want to know how music can impact the brain in unforeseen ways. This new creed offers no simple formula because music therapy itself is not about “business as usual”.
Passing my board certification exam two and a half years ago did not mean I fully understood what music therapy is. I continue to mature as a clinician, but am thankful for the opportunities and responsibilities provided to me that have led to a deeper appreciation for my field. Here’s to insights, inquiries, and challenges of the next year.
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I’m glad to read all of the comments from people in similar situations to mine. I graduated in May ’09 from an out-of-state school and moved back home. I worked for the family business (my dad is a home builder) for three months while searching for a job in finance. I started my current job on a trading desk two towns over from my house in September ’09. My commute is a 10-15 minute drive. I live in my parents’ guest room which has its own bathroom/shower, which is right next to the company office so I can still work part-time to help out my father. My parents are by no means pushing me out, but I am getting anxious to get out on my own again. The only problem is that I’m still 35K in student debt, after graduating with 55K. It’s a no-brainer living home until I can chip that number down to a manageable number, and I think we’ll see most graduates these days do the same, unless they come from money and didn’t have to pay a dime, earned a scholarship, or attended a local or instate school. Obviously there are pros and cons, and I agree with those posted in this article, but in the end, money talks, and for young people like us, money doesn’t shut up.
Hi Twila, thanks for sharing your experiences. It seems like these challenges aren’t just occurring in one field, but across a whole generation. I appreciate the honesty!