What to Do During College to Succeed Financially as a Stage Manager | brokeGIRLrich
Let’s back up a little and assume that you’re just starting college. You’re trying to balance all your theater classes, along with those pointless other classes to make you well rounded, mandatory hours in the scene shop, and rehearsals. College is tough.
Here’s a hint, the real world is worse.
Here are a few things you can do to make the transition to the real world a little less painful:
If at all possible, get a job and sock away every penny you can. When you look at that cute new shirt in the mall think, “do I want this shirt or do I want to be able to move to a city like New York?”
Look for jobs that can help you build your resume. For the techs, are there student worker positions in your scene shop? If not, is the local hardware store hiring? Is there a local theater looking for overhires? For the performers, is there a company where you can work as a costumed character for birthday parties? Any jobs that emphasize public speaking? Can you be a tour guide?
If you have student loans, start using that money to pay down your student loans. People in the arts need to prioritize being debt free in ways that others don’t, because it is very rare to find a high paying job in the arts right out of school. My first stage managing gig was $500 a month.
That means that when you have a $300 monthly student loan payment and you’re making next to nothing, you won’t be able to get by. I’m all for people in the arts sucking it up and doing a few years on tour or on a cruise ship to get rid of their student loans. Not only do you build up resume credits, but you’re able to pay off student loans fast and build up an emergency savings account. Which you will need if you’re planning on moving to a big city.
Realistically think about your future hustle. There are so many people I’ve met who say they don’t have a Plan B because they’re all about Plan A.
I think these people are idiots. And almost every one of them has had a Plan B forced on them – like waitressing or babysitting.
Why not actually make your backup plan instead of having it foisted on you by necessity?
For instance, my Plan B for a long time was substitute teaching. In most of the states I’ve lived, I met the requirements to be a substitute teacher (double check, it varies widely by state) and it gave me the flexibility to still stage manage.
If you start in college, you can build your Plan B into a really strong foundation that will allow you to prioritize working as a stage manager, while still knowing that you can eat and pay rent.
I have 114 other ideas that you can develop on this list, but another great skill to start building up in college is freelance writing. You don’t necessarily have to be a blogger, there are plenty of opportunities for freelance writing without understanding anything technical, although blogging is another great side hustle for stage managers.
Take your time thinking about what you like to do or are knowledgeable about, how you can make money off of it and how you can do it while remaining location independent and on your own schedule. You’ll still need to meet deadlines, but jobs that let you decide the time of day you’ll get the work done are the best kind for stage managers.
I wish I’d started side hustling sooner. Getting used to the idea of tradeoffs is one thing EVERY student needs- “do I want this shirt or do I want to be able to move to a city like New York?” love it
Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life recently posted…Pay Transparency: What If ALL Salaries Were Public Knowledge?
I actually worked full time when I was in college my junior and senior year. It not only gave me the funds for my social life and a car I desperately needed but it also gave the work ethic that I needed to work in the investment banking job I had when I graduated. In fact, I think it actually helped me get that job because many of my prospective employers were impressed by the fact that I not only worked full-time but I maintained the GPA that I did while doing it.
Shannon @ Financially Blonde recently posted…Music Mondays – Control
Honestly, the best thing I did was work in the school performing arts center. As unpleasant as 4 am load ins are now, at least I’m not also trying to take care of schoolwork for 23 credit hours on top of them too. And I already knew I could do ok in this weird lifestyle thanks to that job.
Alternatively titled- What to do in college to succeed financially as a human. This is really sound advice (I wonder if my little bro will actually read it).
I wish I’d been a little more careful with money when I was younger, but overall I did ok. We are going to have a lot of student loans to pay off once hubs is done with medical school though. We kept them as low as possible by sending a bunch back when we were able to live off of my income instead.
Cat@BudgetBlonde recently posted…4 Ways to Know if Working From Home Is Right For You
I think the entire way you built your blogging/freelancing empire is so awesome and such a testament to “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” We don’t generally need to be in as much debt as we could be in, especially if your willing to hustle your tail off.
“I think these people are idiots.” Ha! True. Though it is really tempting to focus your time and energy on that one thing, to get as good at it as you can be, having a plan B is crucial. I’ve both had them and had them forced upon me. The former turns out way better.
Femme Frugality recently posted…Teaching My Toddler About Money
Great advice for those looking for a career in the performing arts, especially about clearing any debts first. Debt can really tie you down and limit your choices and if you’re not making much to begin with, I can imagine how this would place a real restriction on what you’re able to do with your career.
Hayley @ Disease Called Debt recently posted…Financially Savvy Saturdays #113
I wished someone had really given me these advice while I was in college. Maybe someone did, but I can’t honestly recall it. Although, I worked whilst in college, I never bothered to save for the raining day. I wished I did now, my life would have been much better aftewards. Thanks for sharing these nuggets of wisdom.
Esther@Moneynuggets recently posted…The Complete Guide to Credit Cards
*sigh* Saving so isn’t fun. I wish I could win the lottery and live a life full of wealth and money! But the earlier one saves, the better.
Candy recently posted…Conversation Escalation: Make Small Talk Sexy Review
LOL. I’m totally with you on that lottery plan, let me know how that goes for you ;o)