Is getting a master degree worth it?

[robywon1]

I am a 54 year old jazz guitar player that graduated from Berklee in 79. I have done the corperate gig for 28 years, but have taught and played music all this time. I now have a crazy idea that I want to teach at a college level which requires a masters degree. I can get this from a local University with a great jazz guitar teacher. Part time it will take 3-4 years to complete. I would be 58 years when I complete this MM. All this to make a nominal salary at a Community College. It sounds crazy, but it is what I am thinking. Any comments about my plan?

[Drumbler]

Go for it.

[Jake Hanlon]

while it sounds not pg to say it but at 58 graduating with a MMusic... unless you're really killing as a player you aren't going to get a gig unless you've already got one lined up.

Music schools are pumping out hundreds of Masters students a year all younger then you (nothing against people in their 50s) and desperate for a job and will take anything they can get just to build their CV. At 58 you're not building a CV so much since you're only going to be in the work force for 10 years until you probably want to say 'screw it' to the day in and day out working. These kids have 40 years of that.

It's a long way around of aying that it's a young man's game now a days. I'm in my early 30's with a Masters that I finished just 3 years ago and I feel like I'm "old". The only difference is I have a gig teaching and I only have that because I was lucky and available at the right time and in the right place.

If you have a teaching job lined up already and they're telling you to go full time with benefits etc that you have to have the piece of paper, then I would say absolutely to go for it.

Also as long as you're willing to accept that you're in competition with 20 year olds for the same jobs who have no attachments to family or investments in houses, cars, etc then I think you can do just fine and wish you the best of luck.

[JohnRoss]

Originally Posted by robywon1

I am a 54 year old jazz guitar player that graduated from Berklee in 79. I have done the corperate gig for 28 years, but have taught and played music all this time. I now have a crazy idea that I want to teach at a college level which requires a masters degree. I can get this from a local University with a great jazz guitar teacher. Part time it will take 3-4 years to complete. I would be 58 years when I complete this MM. All this to make a nominal salary at a Community College. It sounds crazy, but it is what I am thinking. Any comments about my plan?

If they're going to forcibly retire you at 65, it is a bit crazy, especially as it is not unlikely that it will take longer than the 3-4 years you estimate (everyone overestimates their capacity for part-time study). If it will be of use to you past the retirement-age horizon, though, why not go for it? I have in mind to try for the Trinity Fellowship myself before I'm 60.

[paynow]

Originally Posted by robywon1

I am a 54 year old jazz guitar player that graduated from Berklee in 79. I have done the corperate gig for 28 years, but have taught and played music all this time. I now have a crazy idea that I want to teach at a college level which requires a masters degree. I can get this from a local University with a great jazz guitar teacher. Part time it will take 3-4 years to complete. I would be 58 years when I complete this MM. All this to make a nominal salary at a Community College. It sounds crazy, but it is what I am thinking. Any comments about my plan?

Is your 28 years in the corporate world all with the same company? Are you vested where you're going to get some kind of retirement in a few years?

If you're in a situation where you can retire and collect other money in addition to the MM, I say go for it. I wouldn't give that up to get it, however.

[docbop]

I was prepared to say no until you said you want to get teacher's credentials then sounds like a plan.

Down side most schools these days music and arts budgets are being cut or eliminated. Some of the music teachers I've known had to drive school to school because no school could support a full time music teacher.

Where I'm community college actually pays better than university so teachers tend to stay until they retire. For night classes and extension classes university professors try to get the gig for extra money.

Be prepared for the attitude of today's students its way different than when you got your first degree. I went back to school later in life and it was quite an eye opener. The music students were cool, but outside of music department another story.

So check the job market out.

[robywon1]

Thanks everyone! Jake, I checked out your web site, You are a real good player and composer! Your tone reminds me of Jonathan Kreisberg. That is a good thing I believe.
As far as finances, I don't have a pension, but I do have the house paid for and a "livable 401K" saved up for later when I am in my 60s. I have 2 kids still in college, which is why I still need the corporate gig. Technically I need to work corporate 5-6 more years to save more money.
Currently, I teach 10 students privately weekly. I play out in duos, trios, etc 2-3 times per month. No big money average $100 per night.
I guess I love jazz guitar more now than I did graduating from Berklee 32 years ago. I want to learn more and grow as a player.

As far as why I want to teach at a college - I guess I have done private teaching so much, I know how it gets really closed in - just having people come to your house all the time. I figured the Community College would have ensembles. I did teach at a high school jazz band 3 years ago part time and it was OK, but the skill level so low it was a bit frustrating.

One reason I want to do the Masters program is to have access to a very good instructor Dr. James Greeson. He is a great educator and guitar player/composer. Unless I am enrolled in the college, he won't take students during the regular year except for summers. So far my plan is to try to take one class and a private lesson this fall and see how is goes.
Everyone keep the jazz guitar flame going where ever they are!

[barrymclark]

It all depends on what you plan on getting out of it. Not exactly an answer, I know. Sorry. I will be in the same boat sort of in a few years. I will be looking at going for a masters or even on to a PhD in engineering. That will be for me though.

So... it will totally be worth it if I decided to do it.

[max chill]

I know some educated, experienced, qualified pros, who can't find this job that you think might be only a degree away. There is a glut of people qualified for this type of work, so schools really do have a large choice of well known professionals with high profile credentials to choose from.

[fep]

To me, I think your plan makes sense if you're defining it as a hobby. As a hobby just do whatever makes you happy.

As a career, it's such a long shot and even if you suceed at getting that oh so hard to get adjunct teacher position, you'll still make less than you do now... and you don't have as many years to benefit from the education. As a career, it's a bad choice, imo.

[robywon1]

After reading all the posts, I am thinking that the masters program is a no-go. I am already a decent gig playing jazz guitar player. What I want to learn probably can't be taught at my local university anyway. To become a master player, I need practice time + playing time = improvement. Also, I can get lessons from top players if I get stuck in a rut. Let the self improvement begin! After all - it's really about the joy of playing a great tune with a great band for a great audience. It doesn't get any better than that! With jazz, it's never about the money...

[Roddick]

Yeah buddy you should go for it..
Master degree has a greater value then the graduate...And if you are getting a chance then you should avail it...