Gillian Zambor , MSc MT-BC , Associate Editor
Back when I was in graduate school I remember doubts beginning to creep into my head about the field of music therapy . After a particularly uninspiring career talk towards the end of my degree , I remember asking myself so many questions about what was going to happen once I graduated . What if I couldn ’ t find work ? What if I knew what population I wanted to work with , but there wasn ’ t work available in that area ? What if I would never be able to secure my dream job ? What if I couldn ’ t get a job at all ? I remember thinking this sounded like an awfully complex career path and wondered if I had made a big mistake .
I moved to the United States soon after graduating , and completed the music therapy board certification process . Then I began the long and arduous task of applying for every job I could find . I would eagerly check job sites every day , and nothing new would come up . Suddenly I would see the perfect job advertised ! Only to find out it was 500 miles away . Finally I started getting interviews , but the jobs would go to previous interns who had already worked in the setting , or candidates known to them previously . The whole process was so disheartening , and my enthusiasm was fading .
At long last I secured work for two different agencies and a hospital as an independent contractor . I had done it ! However , despite this , as a contract music therapist driving for hours every day and with my odometer increasing rapidly , I would still sometimes ask myself : why on earth didn ’ t I choose a ‘ normal ’ full time job like everyone else - in one place with benefits and sick days and paid time off ? At the same time , however , I witnessed so many amazing and life changing music therapy experiences in my sessions , I just knew I had to stick at it and it would all work out . Fast forward to today , and it has ! I have managed to build a great work / life balance with meaningful work which I love . I truly don ’ t think there is a better life than that .
For anyone new entering the field : neither I , nor anyone else in this edition of the Music Therapy Clinician , are going to sugarcoat the realities of being a music therapist . It is very tough to live in the uncertainty of whether and when a job opportunity will open up . It is demoralizing to cold call places who you think may benefit from services , only to be rejected . It may take a lot of hard work and dedication to secure your first job . But it is worth it . Hearing that one of your client ’ s speech has improved and they can now be understood on the phone after a two year rehabilitation journey ; seeing a child able to focus in your session ; being told your session is the highlight of your client ’ s week ... these are the moments that make all the tough times worth it . Today I feel lucky to have worked with many different populations of people in many different settings , and I have loved every opportunity for the challenge and growth each has given me as a music therapist .
Ironically , as I hit the big three-oh this year , I ’ ve discovered many similarly aged friends working in the ‘ normal ’ full time jobs I had previously dreamed about , are unhappy and now want to change career paths . Fed up with the rat race , they now seek rewarding jobs with flexibility for their new young families . Although this is often seen as a luxury in other professions , it ’ s a balance many music therapists are able to achieve being an independent contractor or business owner .
The Music Therapy Clinician team are thankful to our authors for their honesty and willingness to approach this topic , sharing their experiences and thought processes . Our aim is to encourage everyone to talk about these sometimes difficult subjects so we can support and encourage one another in the community with whatever decisions we choose . And above all , remember you are not alone !!
Contact Gillian gillianzambor @ gmail . com
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