I got into Pharmacy at university

[donjuan]

It's strange... there was a time when I couldnt imagine doing a career that wasnt music related.  Now, Im just hoping I will have time to practice and keep it up during the next 4 years.  I would hate to have to stop playing and take it up again once my career is settled..

I would like to know what happened (musically) to you students who entered a non-musical professional program at university.

thanks

[pianistimo]

they paid off their student loans and are now taking some music classes and have plenty of time to do what they want.  unless ur a star - ur music degree will get you a five cent job (after social security, health insurance, self-employment tax, local tax, state tax, and government tax are added in) teaching with no benefits whatsoever.  if you get sick or have a baby - no real health insurance.  if you need a loan - you have ur student loans to keep u from any.  if u have a car- keep it for 20 years.  it's a dead end.  go for a double degree or one first and then the other.  having two things to do is better than one, imo.

i got a music degree - but i've NEVEr supported the family.  nor, could i on that income alone.  now, some ARe excellent teachers - but it takes  ALOT more energy and it's not 8-5 if you consider lunchtime, and students that come after work.  you'd have to love music 100% and not care about the benefits side.

also, my husband works for merck and gets to participate in the credit union.  this is a blessing because the credit unions offer much better rates sometimes on loans, on cd interest, on savings, etc.  not sure where you are studying - but really look into the companies that you want to work for when you get out and study what they are most looking for.  then, you'll assure yourself a good positon.  pharmaceuticals are hot right now.  merck and wyeth are very good companies to work for in pennsylvania.  they treat you excellently and have many more benefits (ira's, everything) worked into your employee plan (and you can ask to add).  also, if you have children - they help you find a plan to save for their college (sometimes matching funds - providing scholarships, etc). 

[pianistimo]

www.merck.com/careers/career_questions.pf.html
and www.merck.com/careers/career_choices.html  are a couple of sites about how merck operates.  they treat my husband really well - and value people by giving bonuses.  they do a yearly evaluation, too, and if it is decided that u've done great work - they consider pay grade increase.  at other companies you have to beg for this sometimes.  i really like merck. 

[Tash]

congrats!! i can only answer your q from 2 years of experience where i was doing 1 music subject per semester anyway, so...but in the 2 years i went mad not being able to practice enough. but provided you don't try doing piano exams during uni and just focus on not too many pieces at a time it should be alright. good luck!

[pianistimo]

yes.  if you take piano lessons alone - that will keep ur foot in the door and u'll have  relaxing thing to do.  also, most piano teachers at the uni level will teach you various things that u need to know - ahead of ur music degree. 

i used to think life was this huge rush.  then, i realized that noone cares really if you decide to have the music career now or later.  make some money. build a foundation.  buy the piano you always wanted. 

my neighbor works at wyeth.  is a single woman.  has a new car and home that she purchased herself.  she goes on extended vacations every year.

[e60m5]

It's strange... there was a time when I couldnt imagine doing a career that wasnt music related.  Now, Im just hoping I will have time to practice and keep it up during the next 4 years.  I would hate to have to stop playing and take it up again once my career is settled..

I would like to know what happened (musically) to you students who entered a non-musical professional program at university.

thanks

Speaking from one year of experience - what will happen to your music is only what you let happen to your music.  I have seen many people lose entirely their music when they get to university, but on the other hand, I have also seen people whose music has flourished at university despite their commitment to a course completely unconnected with music.

In my view, which may sound overly harsh to others but which is backed with personal experience, if music is important enough to somebody, that in itself will guarantee their making of practice time available.  When it comes to those who lament losing their musical abilities upon attending university, my view is simply that it was their choice to allow their music to decline - had music been important enough to them, they would have made time for it.  Speaking from personal experience, I attend what is often regarded as one of the most intensive universities in the world, and take one of its most intensive courses, yet still find time for my music and prevent it from declining.  I would challenge anybody who claims music cannot be pursued at a high level if one takes a non-musical course at university level based upon my experience alone.

But to answer the question directly, my music has flourished and my understanding of music and pianism has grown accordingly. 

[pianistimo]

didn't u say you were studying law?  that is a really big committment you've made to music at the same time.  u just do what you have time for now - and possibly more later.  things are much different now in my 40's than the rush in my 20's and 30's.  for one thing, you realize that the piano is an instrument.  'instruments' are just that and they are meant for your use and not slavery to them necessarily.  of course, as you say - you don't want things to purposely slack - but, each time i had a baby - i had to practice less.  i thought maybe it would be 'gone' by the time i went back for my masters in music - but it was like riding a bicycle.  i got back on - and when i have more time to practice, my technique and playing come right back.  (can't say the same for memory though - so if you work on anything - keep that up,  ok)>  the thing i'm most working on again is memory.  it helps with any field, too.  for me, music keeps my mind focused.

ps i also have a great friend that encouraged me to keep going with music. 

[gorbee natcase]

My local pharmacist is quite old to be nice, and every time I go I just end up thinking how easy it would be for me to just walk round the counter and take loads of drugs from the back as he is or must be so trusting of the general public.

I asked him for something once can't remember what, and he spent 10 minutes looking for me. plenty of time to take advantage of some of the drugs in the back of the shop

[donjuan]

My local pharmacist is quite old to be nice, and every time I go I just end up thinking how easy it would be for me to just walk round the counter and take loads of drugs from the back as he is or must be so trusting of the general public.

I asked him for something once can't remember what, and he spent 10 minutes looking for me. plenty of time to take advantage of some of the drugs in the back of the shop

in all the pharmacies I have gone to, you would have to jump over the counter or unlock a door to get to the drugs..  what country are you from?

[pianistimo]

gorbee is taking this question literally.  lol.  at the cvs pharmacy near us - there are about 5 workers and plus, they put all the condoms right at the check out - so you're too embarrassed to stay there more than the time you need to order and pick up.  most pharmacies have eyeglasses or something right there.  who would purchase condoms with drugs.  maybe i'm naive.  i usually beg my husband to be the one to buy those.  i'm constantly with my children and i don't want to go through the store explaining 'what's that mommy'  'why are you hiding it under the cookies?'  'here, let me hold it.' 

[cziffra]

gorbee is taking this question literally.  lol.  at the cvs pharmacy near us - there are about 5 workers and plus, they put all the condoms right at the check out - so you're too embarrassed to stay there more than the time you need to order and pick up.  most pharmacies have eyeglasses or something right there.  who would purchase condoms with drugs.  maybe i'm naive.  i usually beg my husband to be the one to buy those.  i'm constantly with my children and i don't want to go through the store explaining 'what's that mommy'  'why are you hiding it under the cookies?'  'here, let me hold it.' 

You muust be a stoner of great power.  respect sensei

[pianistimo]

i buy the drugs for other people (in my family).  of great power?  you mean willpower.  yes.  buying condoms is nothing to me.  the cheaper the better (how do yo think we got three children?)  what is really a waste of money is the pregnancy test.  i mean, if you start feeling like throwing up in the morning, you're pregnant.  how much of a test do you need beyond that? 

[galonia]

I agree completely with Paul (e60m5) - I did an undergrad degree in pure mathematics and a masters in statistics, worked, and kept up my practice, sat piano exams and musicianship (theory) exams (I had two private music teachers).  A friend of mine did his degree in Medicine and continued his violin playing with no problems, joining the university orchestra and leading his own string quartet as well as successfully auditioning to play solo in a violin concerto with the university orchestra one year.  It's a matter of how much you truly love music - if you love it enough, you'll make time for it.  Also, you learn to practice smarter.  But if you find you are letting the music slide, and you are making excuses such as you just don't have time, then it is probably a good thing you are not doing a music degree or aiming to do music professionally.