So What Do I Do? Where Do I Go?

There are lots of types of training for adults. Beyond the so-called "elementary/secondary educational experience," about half the adults in this country go on to some sort of college training. The range of higher education is quite large, from extremely pragmatic vocational courses in community colleges and "professional" schools, to generalized multifaceted learning in "liberal arts" colleges, to highly advanced graduate studies in a mind-bending array of specialties.

In addition, there are lots of "short courses," mostly taught by private outfits, that fall outside of the higher education establishment. These tend to focus on specific disciplines and crafts, everything from "Getting Along With Your Boss, For Secretaries" to "Diesel Fuel Injection Systems in Marine Engines." The music and recordings fields are rich in such offerings.

Finally, there is an old-fashioned sort of training called "the apprenticeship." Instead of going to school, you go to work as an apprentice (i.e. an untrained assistant) for an established expert in the field you wish to specialize in. The theory is that you will acquire your mentor's skills as you work under him or her while they do their professional work. "Internships" are short-term apprenticeships sponsored by a school as a part of formal training.

Now all of these approaches have validity. Which is best for you depends on a lot of factors, including your age, the amount of money you have, the financial commitments you already have, your goals, and your self-image. There is no single best or worst way to get training. In a perfect world, you'd do some of each!

Personally, just so you know, I'm a big fan of liberal arts college education. I think it's seriously undersold and underappreciated, and if you've got the time, money and inclination it can turn out to be the most valuable training you can get, in the long run. I went to a fairly high-powered and very liberal arts college (Bard College) and to a very high-powered music school (Juilliard School of Music). I feel the Bard education was significantly superior (by which I mean more useful and practical, even in many areas of music) to the Juilliard education. However, the Juilliard experience had some unexpected and unique values which I will discuss later.

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