ORCHESTRATE YOUR LIFE NOW
1 MUSIC PROFESSIONAL
A background in music can lead to work in an orchestra or band but there are also opportunities in a range of other areas. For example, some music professionals choose to teach. They may be employed by a school or tertiary institution, or they may tutor one-onone or in small groups from home or a dedicated music school. Alternatively, music professionals may pursue a career in music therapy. The Australian Music Therapy Association describes this as a research-based profession in which music is used to support people to improve their health, functioning and wellbeing. Therapists are employed in sectors including health, community, aged care, disability, early childhood, and private practice. They focus on health, functioning and wellbeing.
2 PERSONAL ASSISTANT
Also known as a PA or personal secretary, this role involves organising the professional — and sometimes personal — life of a manager or executive. They are responsible for daily tasks such as scheduling meetings, office correspondence and note-taking, and may be required to answer phone calls, send emails, arrange travel bookings and enter data. About a third of PAs hold a vocational qualification, such as a Diploma of Business Administration. Another 17 per cent hold a university qualification, such as a Bachelor of Business. The average full-time salary is $65,000, Employment Department figures show.
3 PROJECT MANAGER
The role of a project manager is to plan, budget, oversee and keep track of all aspects of a project, ensuring the team knows what they need to do and all deadlines are met. In many cases, a project is planned down to a daily or even hourly level, and a formal schedule is developed using specific methods and software, with milestones set. Although typically project management is associated with the construction industry, it is becoming a broader role that is necessary in a wide range of industries — from
information and communication technology to marketing. Short courses in project management and related professional development areas are sometimes all that is required on top of experience in the specific field. Some workers, however, study formal qualifications such as a Diploma or Master of Project Management.