# Quitting my job (eventually)! For Not Science (TM)(C)(R)! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 7, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602 "2021-05-07T16:46:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/1 "2021-05-07T16:46:11Z")
For quite some time, science has been my job, and singing has been hobby. Recently, it has come to my attention that I have a real talent for singing. So, I’ve decided instead of continuing to pursue a career as a researcher/faculty, to abandon it and go back to school for a B.Music in Vocal Performance. I’m going to try to do a double major in performing arts. Once admitted to a program, then I will quit my job. My goal is to get into musical theatre, with some singing/songwriting. Of course, I hate to see my PhD go to waste, so I’ll continue to dabble with research as a hobby, perhaps during the summer work in research, and eventually incorporate music theory and music education into my research hobby. I’m _very_ excited to see where this new path takes me. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/2 "2021-05-07T17:05:04Z")
I have a friend who, any time someone screws up at work says “don’t quit your night job”. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/3 "2021-05-07T17:07:52Z")
> [@BeepKillBeep](#): > > it has come to my attention that I have a real talent for singing. Out of curiosity, how were you made aware of your real talent? - American Idol audition - fellow parishioner two rows back commenting on your hymn singing as you exit the church - your parents or grandparents - a stranger at your fitness club commenting as you exited the shower - fellow subway passenger overhearing your humming - waiter at Chili’s overhearing you sing happy birthday to friend - carolers at Christmas, when you sang back to them on your doorstep - other patrons at the sing-a-long version of Frozen - shoppers at the mall, when you participated in that flash mob - something I can’t fathom right now ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/4 "2021-05-07T17:15:38Z")
Good question. It came up in one of my vocal lessons a while back. I asked my vocal coach if she thought I would have the talent to be a professional in musical theatre. She said I was already good enough to do amateur theatre, and with a lot of work, I had the raw ability to eventually become a professional. However, on the chance that she was wrong, I hired another vocal coach to do an independent assessment. She said that I definitely had the talent for it. Then, I contacted my alma mater and asked one of the faculty to give me an assessment as to whether they thought I could do a B.Music. They said, not yet, but I was on the threshold of being there. Based on those three data points, I decided that I was being at least somewhat realistic. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/5 "2021-05-07T17:16:07Z")
" \* shoppers at the mall, when you participated in that flash mob" Also, LMAO! That’s fantastic! Can I change my answer to that? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2021, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/6 "2021-05-07T22:49:00Z")
What kind of science? You could always combine the two into something like psychoacoustics or acoustic theory. It’s always good to see people who have the courage to follow their creative urges; I humbly wish you Good Fortune! ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/7 "2021-05-08T00:18:56Z")
I have a PhD in computer science. My research is on applications of machine learning in medicine and medical education. Primarily, I’m looking at ways to model neural activity to diagnose neurological disease and injury more accurately, earlier, or more cheaply. On the singing front, I started learning “Ave Maria” in German today. How exciting! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/8 "2021-05-08T00:39:12Z")
Well, you are better off than [Brian May](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_May). It took him 36 years to complete his doctorate once he decided to indulge his fantasy of a career in music. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/9 "2021-05-08T01:01:53Z")
Ok, all you people choosing between careers: That is SO last generation. Every single one of my Millennial design students had a “side gig” going on. To get students talking in class, I started asking for a show of hands: Who here has an Etsy shop? How many of you are in a band? Who’s making T-shirts or logos or posters for a bar? Coffee place? Music festival? And they were all planning on eventually having a day job and a completely different weekend job. (I said they were just being realistic because they’d probably graduate and find a 30 hr/wk job, then two 10 hr/wk jobs to make ends meet) ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/10 "2021-05-08T01:34:18Z")
To be fair, I am. I’m in the middle of a career transition and I haven’t got a clue what’s next. At 53, that’s a scary prospect. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/11 "2021-05-08T02:47:40Z")
Any idea what you’re looking to do? I’m sure it can be scary, certainly deciding to because a singer at 47 sometimes feels a little bit foolish (I’ve done extensive computations to ensure that I’m not sacrificing my financial future). I hope it works out in the end! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/12 "2021-05-08T02:57:56Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > To be fair, I am. I’m in the middle of a career transition and I haven’t got a clue what’s next. At 53, that’s a scary prospect. I think you should start your own “What should I do next?” thread. I bet you’d get lots of free advice. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/13 "2021-05-08T18:09:03Z")
It’s a thought. It certainly wouldn’t hurt. @BeepKillBeep I have a LOT of interests and that’s part of the problem. I have to figure out how to make some of them make money for me instead of costing… 😄 I’m also constrained geographically as my wife has employment as well. ---
**Author:** ![BeepKillBeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/14 "2021-05-08T18:22:17Z")
I totally get it. My best friend is trying to figure out how to make his love of woodworking into his full-time job so he can quit IT. It must be something to do with COVID I think that has everyone reevaluating their priorities. For me, one of the first things I did when I started thinking about taking up music professionally. I wanted to make sure: 1. My retirement was (relatively) secure. 2. I wasn’t going to starve to death. So I put a lot of work into deciding how I can make it work. I think I have a reasonable plan, but who knows what the future will bring? I hope you figure it all out. 🙂 Definitely keep us informed, speaking for myself, I’d like to know. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2021, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/15 "2021-05-08T18:26:16Z")
Thanks! I will. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quitting-my-job-eventually-for-not-science-tm-c-r/941602/16 "2021-05-13T00:17:23Z")
And I did. > [@So what now? \[requesting life advice\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-now-requesting-life-advice/941770/15): > > My father is currently living in London so I’m quite familiar with the area. I’ve always liked it, and Kingston, but as I addressed above moving right now would wreak havoc on our bank balance. SWMBO would also have to take additional courses to teach in Ontario or BC IIRC. I’m doing an analysis of starting a [maker space](https://www.webopedia.com/definitions/makerspace/) with laser cutters and enterprise quality 3d printers and configuring it so customers could build by submitting files remotely along with remote payment so lockdowns are less of…