What to Do After High School? Is DJing a Career Worth Pursuing?
Feeling lost about which path to take, or which career to choose, once you walk out of the high school gates is something almost everyone has been through. And right now, plenty of young people are stuck in exactly that place. So Muse Inc, as a school that trains DJs, would like to offer a few thoughts and some advice.
1. The paths you can choose:
- Going to university. You've probably heard the saying “University isn't the only road, but it is the shortest road to success.” Muse Inc agrees. So if you have the finances, the grades and a field you love, choose a university and a subject that suit you. Alongside your studies, you can also take on part-time work to build experience and broaden your horizons.
- Learning a trade. Not everyone can afford to go to university, so learning a trade is a path many people choose. First, work out which field you love, whether your personality suits that kind of work, and what the job market looks like for it. Popular trades that are easy to get into today include photography, make-up, spa work, electrical and mechanical repair, cooking, bartending, graphic design… The options are endless, but remember that the most important thing is that it suits you.
- Start-up. This is a shaky road, but it will teach you great lessons no school can. First you need an idea to build a business on. Start with the smallest things, keep at it, and prepare yourself mentally to face the pressure and difficulties ahead. You also need to research your business area thoroughly and get a solid grounding in business, management and marketing (you can learn through books and courses, and by finding an experienced mentor).
2. Is DJing a career worth pursuing?
DJing is a job many young people love and choose to pursue as their main career. It has become quite hot in recent years for several reasons: a relaxed working environment, wide career opportunities as people spend more and more on entertainment, the freedom to express your personality, and, importantly, a fairly high income (to learn more about what DJs earn, read our post “Do DJs Really Earn as Much as People Say?”).
Before you decide to become a DJ, though, you need to be clear about the following:
- Are you passionate about music (especially electronic music)?
Liking music isn't enough — you need a real passion for it. And music comes in many genres. If you love lively, high-energy music, DJing is a career that suits you very well.
- Are you suited to working in nightlife?
Nightlife means working at night, usually in bars, clubs and pubs. Because it serves people's need for entertainment, there are plenty of job opportunities and the pay is fairly good. As a DJ, working in nightlife is unavoidable. Nightlife is often described as a complicated world full of traps. But if you are strong-minded and know how to choose well, you can absolutely work and thrive in it.
- What do you want to get out of learning to DJ?
That depends on each person's needs and wishes. Students come to Muse Inc with many different goals and reasons. Some want to learn to DJ to make it their main career and earn money from it; some want to play for friends and family; some simply want an outlet for their creativity and passion.
Our students also come from all walks of life: some study at university and learn to DJ at the same time, some learn while working… Depending on your goals and circumstances, you choose the course and schedule that fit. So be clear about your purpose, and you can follow your passion while keeping your life in balance.
Today, some schools around the world have added DJing and electronic music to their curriculum and extracurricular programmes. In Vietnam there is no formal school teaching DJing yet, but there are many DJ academies across the country — Muse Academy by Muse Inc is one of them.
Muse Inc hopes this post helps you choose the path that suits you. And if you're passionate about electronic music and DJing, take a look at the DJ courses at Muse Inc. Muse Inc is currently offering 15% off the Comprehensive DJ Course.
And one last thing Muse Inc would like to tell you: “With passion and hard work, any road can lead you to success.”
Classes of up to 4 students. A lively, creative learning environment.
Classrooms designed and decorated in a modern, young and energetic Western style.
Well-known instructors with real performance experience — professional and dedicated.
Modern facilities that meet the international standards of HARMAN International.
The chance to perform at big music festivals, game shows and well-known bars and clubs
