MetaChat - muxtape update.

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14 June 2008

muxtape update. today's theme: "By The Numbers."
also, mild dilemma ahead:
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Like many MeChazens, I work in a bookstore, and while the pay sucks and the work is occasionally bizarre, I do like it for the most part.
I also work in concert and event production and management. Short version: I'm a roadie. I started out in first year working on Arts County Fair (Canada's largest student-run charity event, now sadly retired) and worked my way up until I was on the executive there, and between that and a couple other gigs in/around Vancouver I have a reputation as a solid guy to go to in a relatively specific capacity (managing multiple radio channels at once, also disaster planning) but it's a pretty small niche. One of the people I work for occasionally, who also happens to be a good friend, has put my name forward to someone he works with to production assist on a fairly large festival happening at the end of July, which would be a good chance for me to sort of bust out of this niche and puts me a bit closer to one day working at Coachella. The money is good (it's a three-week contract that pays about as much as three months at the bookstore.) and it would probably lead to more work from the companies involved.
At the same time, it would entail basically dropping off the face of the earth for three weeks, which I know would not go well with the family, and I don't know about accomodation/transportation up there (I don't have a car, it's 4+ hours from Vancouver), and everything I've heard from industry insiders says that this show is one to avoid, plague-style. I would probably have to quit at the bookstore, as I don't see them giving me three weeks off on short notice.

It boils down to this: do I take a risk on a job (with large potential payoffs), or do I stay the course that works (but isn't always satisfactory)?

post by: heeeraldo at: 02:37 | 5 comments

I guess it depends on how ambitious you are regarding the event production end of things. If you want to move forward in that area, it would probably be a good thing. It will probably be grueling and difficult, with too many demands, too many disasters, and way too little sleep, but you expand your network and get more credibility and experience. In this sort of work it seems like the career building steps usually involve tough jobs for not enough money (for the real hours and demands) in the early stages to get yourself insinuated into industry. If I were you and felt pretty sure of wanting to expand in that direction, I'd do it, but I would go in with the expectation that it's going to be super difficult, and determined to weather the course no matter what. (Great production people in any field seem to have nerves of steel, and an unflappable can-do determination, which is what you want to build up in the trenches).

posted by taz 14 June | 04:28

It's tough to step off the path you're already on, especially when things seem to be going OK. The thing you need to do is visualize at where you'd like to be in two or three years, and if what you're doing now will get you there. It sounds like you'd like to take the risk and start moving towards that direction and you need a nudge. If that's the case, and it seems like a feasible thing to do, here's a nudge. You're looking at expanding into an industry where experience and networking is vital, and the only way to get that is by doing.

Like taz said, it's going to be difficult. Mentally, taking a small step back now for a greater step forward down the road is hard for many people to do - I've been battling with the same concept for a few years now and still haven't pulled the trigger. But if it can lead to more happiness and satisfaction in the future, the risk might not seem so scary.

But also keep in mind the reality of the situation and make sure that you can actually physically and financially pull it off. I'm all for chasing your dreams, but you've got to be realistic about your current needs. Is losing the bookstore gig a major deal to you, or do you think you can get another job that would be as rewarding?

Good luck and please keep us updated if you make the jump or not. Maybe it'll inspire me to expand my comfort zone as well and make a few changes.

posted by Slack-a-gogo 14 June | 08:30

Oh, and baed on your triple threat opener, your Mux looks awesome.

posted by Slack-a-gogo 14 June | 08:31

AWESOME-looking muxtape, heeraldo.

taz and Slack have already said everything I would have said regarding your job situation.

posted by BoringPostcards 14 June | 11:10

Sounds like you need to do it.

1] Three months pay worth as at the bookstore...
2] You were the go to guy, dependant and history and horror stories aside, you may find it challenging and turn shit around. Status=hero, leading to future gigs.
3] You may be marking time at the bookstore... this is an opportunity to switch it up, career wise, say.
4] You could find a similar job to the bookstore one you have if they don't want to give you the time off. You have 3 months to search and you'll be even, but you'll have that gig under your belt [and on the CV] and more contacts.

see¿ time to bust out./ 3 weeks away from the family 'aint much in the scheme of things. It's an opportunity that could lead to, who knows where....

posted by alicesshoe 14 June | 17:27

← Two great shots || They say that motivation follows action... →

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