I have no skills but want a job.

[Anonymous]

I have a bachelors in music but I'm not very good at it I think. Or maybe just not interested in pursuing it anymore. I have worked very random jobs from retail to a nonprofit database. Always part time and then had to take three years off to assist a sick parent. So, now here I am, 34 yrs old and no real job skills. I have a small inheritance left that can allow me some freedom in what I want to do the next few years. My interests are curating, non profit work and maybe interior design. I have no skills in any of those except for some database work I did for a nonprofit in Colorado a few years ago. So should I go back to school? Find a place that will hire me for pennies so I can learn more? I am especially interested in the curating but have really no idea how to get anywhere with that. Suggestions?

[Anonymous]

What do you like curating?

You could become a personal assistant via taskrabbit or one of those other virtual tasking sites. You could offer to be the social media maven for some small company.

[Anonymous]

Join the army.

[Anonymous]

I suggest looking into jobs where portfolios are what matter. Live off your inheritance and build a reputable portfolio for free, then no one will care how long you've had the skills for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Join the army.

Isn't 34 too old?

[Anonymous]

Yes, you could likely find a non-profit who will hire you in an Admin position (low pay) but where you can get more admin kind of skills (database management, some communications skills like writing press releases, website updates, etc.) Not a lot of upward mobility there, though. Curating (I'm assuming you mean art museums, etc?) is a tough field; I think most folks who do that are coming out of Art History programs and even then, the competition is fierce and pay is low for entry level jobs. Maybe a masters in library science or something similar would be a good fit? If you can do it cheaply (in-state tuition) you could then segue into an archivist type position at a non-profit institution. GL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Join the army.

Isn't 34 too old?

Not for the Army, Navy, or Coast Guard. Don't get talked into enlisting, get commissioned.

[Anonymous]

You won't get a job in museum work without at least a masters in a related field and most jobs of actual curation (as opposed to museum education, e.g.) require a Ph.D. Galleries are more forgiving if you are self-educated and somewhat knowledgeable about art and able to talk to people/sell. I'd look into arts mgmt, fundraising with arts institutions, music librarianship and build on what you already know (the IT work would be a big plus in these areas).

[Anonymous]

It will be tough to get curating job. But, surely, there's something else you'd be interested in. If you've got a bit of inheritance, take advantage of it to explore some career options. Do you still like music? How about music therapy? Tutoring? Enrichment programs? How about working in a music store? You likely have more skills than you realize. You just need to relate your non-professional experience to the professional world. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

How much money do you need to make to support your family? Not that money is everything, but most of these suggested jobs pay relatively little and are highly competitive. If you need the money, you might have to be more practical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Join the army.

Isn't 34 too old?

Not for the Army, Navy, or Coast Guard. Don't get talked into enlisting, get commissioned.

Are my tax dollars really going to be spent hiring and commissioning music majors who describe themselves as having no skills, and who have expressed no interest in military service?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Join the army.

Isn't 34 too old?

Not for the Army, Navy, or Coast Guard. Don't get talked into enlisting, get commissioned.

Are my tax dollars really going to be spent hiring and commissioning music majors who describe themselves as having no skills, and who have expressed no interest in military service?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Join the army.

Isn't 34 too old?

Not for the Army, Navy, or Coast Guard. Don't get talked into enlisting, get commissioned.

Are my tax dollars really going to be spent hiring and commissioning music majors who describe themselves as having no skills, and who have expressed no interest in military service?

You dont need skills to shoot a gun or take enemy fire. It is the perfect career for liberal arts grads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you could likely find a non-profit who will hire you in an Admin position (low pay) but where you can get more admin kind of skills (database management, some communications skills like writing press releases, website updates, etc.) Not a lot of upward mobility there, though. Curating (I'm assuming you mean art museums, etc?) is a tough field; I think most folks who do that are coming out of Art History programs and even then, the competition is fierce and pay is low for entry level jobs. Maybe a masters in library science or something similar would be a good fit? If you can do it cheaply (in-state tuition) you could then segue into an archivist type position at a non-profit institution. GL.

I think this is the most helpful suggestion. Database design, data management.

You could volunteer for a museum and keep interior design as a hobby.

Maybe try the Women's Center for some career counseling.

[Anonymous]

IDK OP, that's a tough situation. Maybe admin work could tide you over while you figure this out. Do you have any interest in teaching pre-school or teaching music to kids? You must have some interest/ability/talent in music to have earned a music degree.

Perhaps work toward some certifications? I think the biggest problem you are going to have is coming up with a good response when asked what you have been doing for the past 12 years. You need to come up with a response that is brief and focused on your future.