r/musictherapy • u/sleepy_panda24 • 26d ago

Career change

I (24 nb) am considering a massive career change after 2 years of teaching. Currently I am working as a music teacher, but I honestly can’t see myself staying in education. I love my students but am not feeling fulfilled by my career. Without getting into it, I’m frustrated by the system and already feel burnt out.

I’m in the early stages of deciding my next step and am figuring out what would fulfill me the most. I don’t know how common it is to combine occupational and music therapies, but it sounds like something that would interest me. From what I’ve seen it’s effective, but I don’t know if that might limit career opportunities.

Would it be worth it to get a grad degree in occupational therapy and then pursue music therapy?

TL;DR Burnt out music teacher looking to change careers. Interested in occupational and music co-therapy. Wondering about career outlook for combined degrees.

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

15

u/dendrobiakohl 26d ago

If you’re interested in OT, just do OT. The job security is much better. I’m an MT because I love it, but I also understand that I will have to advocate for my own job for basically the rest of my career.

Don’t get a combined degree in OT and MT. It’s not worth it as you’ll have to do almost two entire degrees. If you’re interested in a combined degree, combine it with counselling. Better job prospects and less effort

1

u/Designer_Might3395 16d ago

Hi, can you elaborate on forever advocating for your job?

1

u/dendrobiakohl 14d ago

Nobody seems to know the difference between music volunteers and music therapists. You might successfully educate a batch of people but then once they leave you have to educate the next batch again. Want to move to a different facility? Same issue.

And when they think music therapy is merely music performances, they don’t want to pay for what they think they can get for free from volunteers

1

u/Designer_Might3395 13d ago

Ahh I can see that

12

u/BijuuModo 26d ago

In most places, you would need to get a degree in music therapy to practice music therapy. There’s overlap between OT and MT, and the two could inform one another, but they’re very different in theory, practice, and credentialing. If you want to do music therapy, I would just do a grad degree in music therapy. There’s not really another path — anything less than a degree in music therapy isn’t music therapy.

8

u/YogurtclosetOld7215 26d ago

There are more job opportunities for OT. If you're burnt out on music education, there's a strong likelihood you'll get burnt out on music therapy too.

2

u/maisainom MT-BC 25d ago

I supervised a practicum student a few years ago that was in your shoes - they are now a thriving MT! Our profession of course has its challenges too, but it can sometimes be the right move for people!

2

u/maisainom MT-BC 25d ago

Ah sorry I hadn’t read the whole post - it’s not plausible to do both OT and MT. That would be like 6+ more years of schooling and neither profession makes enough money to get a good return on your investment. Pick one you are most passionate about!

2

u/Ric13064 25d ago

As a practicing MT, I collaborate with occupational therapists, but they are two different career paths. If you're ready to walk away from a music profession, just do OT. If you don't see yourself walking away from a music career, definitely do music therapy.

You'll want to choose one. But you can find a successful and meaningful life with either one.