4 answers
Lindsey
Student
Littleton, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
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What aspect of your job do you find most fulfilling, and how does it reaffirm your decision to pursue this career?
What aspect of your job do you find most fulfilling, and how does it reaffirm your decision to pursue this career?
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4 answers
Thomas O'Shea
Music Producer, Composer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician
146
Answers
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Good question, though kind of hard for me to answer because most of my job currently is kinda a dream. I run my own production company and occasionally do live sound engineering. With both, I think the best part of my work is the interactions with cool musicians and music industry executives. I love working on all sides of the industry- I have produced for artists, helped artists build their brand, written for bands, written classical music, done live sound for music and other entertainment like magic and comedy. The interactions with the musicians, the artists, the people is always the best part.
I feel like that's a bit of a cop out answer because all work includes interacting so I'll also add that the way I conduct my work I get to work with different musicians and combine their sound with my own creating new musical ideas that neither of us would have thought of previously. I really like that. I like that collaboration brings out new ideas and forces the work into a new direction. I love to play with ideas and make something interesting into something truly unique.
So, there's two things I really enjoy that I do on a daily basis.
I feel like that's a bit of a cop out answer because all work includes interacting so I'll also add that the way I conduct my work I get to work with different musicians and combine their sound with my own creating new musical ideas that neither of us would have thought of previously. I really like that. I like that collaboration brings out new ideas and forces the work into a new direction. I love to play with ideas and make something interesting into something truly unique.
So, there's two things I really enjoy that I do on a daily basis.
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Lindsey
John Graham
Music Producer
82
Answers
Bremerton, Washington
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Lindsey!
The most fulfilling aspect of my work as an independent music producer is the feeling of accomplishment I get when we release a song. We've released over 75 songs, five albums, and two EPs streaming through 30 services in over 160 countries. I know I'm only a small producer, but I've been a musician basically my whole life (started classical piano, popular organ and music theory as a child) and while I wasn't able to make it my primary career until I was older, it has definitely been the most satisfying part of my life for the past 23 years.
One of the things I noticed early on as a producer is that women are so under-represented in the music field. I hire dozens of musicians every year to work on my projects - Lead and Backup session singers, drummers, bassists, guitarists, keyboard, synth, brass and string players - and also sometimes other producers and audio engineers like myself. I also hire transcribers, photographers, graphics artists, and editors to help with art and credits for my singles and albums. I audition and commission these team members online for most of my projects, and also record live in my studio with local talent. Online, I hire from the major services like SoundBetter, AirGigs, Fiverr, etc. Of the thousands of of providers you can find there, only a few hundred are women - with the exception of singers, where out of maybe 15K, about half are female. We really need more women musicians out there - especially for bass, guitars, brass, and also in editing, mixing, mastering, promotion (marketing) and of course producing.
So many years ago I decided that as much as possible, I would try and hire mostly women for my projects tohelp give them more exposure. While this sometimes costs a little more in time and expense (mostly just to find them), I think it has definitely been worth it and I'm happy to say that I've been pretty faithful to that goal. In the past few months - of the first three songs for my current album, 32 of the 36 I've hired have been women - and I only hired the four men because you need Tenors and Basses in a choir. Everything else from transcription to music to graphics was done by women. And I have to say, this is very fulfilling to me and I wish more producers would try it.
Good luck on your journey - you're going to do great. And get yourself out there!
The most fulfilling aspect of my work as an independent music producer is the feeling of accomplishment I get when we release a song. We've released over 75 songs, five albums, and two EPs streaming through 30 services in over 160 countries. I know I'm only a small producer, but I've been a musician basically my whole life (started classical piano, popular organ and music theory as a child) and while I wasn't able to make it my primary career until I was older, it has definitely been the most satisfying part of my life for the past 23 years.
One of the things I noticed early on as a producer is that women are so under-represented in the music field. I hire dozens of musicians every year to work on my projects - Lead and Backup session singers, drummers, bassists, guitarists, keyboard, synth, brass and string players - and also sometimes other producers and audio engineers like myself. I also hire transcribers, photographers, graphics artists, and editors to help with art and credits for my singles and albums. I audition and commission these team members online for most of my projects, and also record live in my studio with local talent. Online, I hire from the major services like SoundBetter, AirGigs, Fiverr, etc. Of the thousands of of providers you can find there, only a few hundred are women - with the exception of singers, where out of maybe 15K, about half are female. We really need more women musicians out there - especially for bass, guitars, brass, and also in editing, mixing, mastering, promotion (marketing) and of course producing.
So many years ago I decided that as much as possible, I would try and hire mostly women for my projects tohelp give them more exposure. While this sometimes costs a little more in time and expense (mostly just to find them), I think it has definitely been worth it and I'm happy to say that I've been pretty faithful to that goal. In the past few months - of the first three songs for my current album, 32 of the 36 I've hired have been women - and I only hired the four men because you need Tenors and Basses in a choir. Everything else from transcription to music to graphics was done by women. And I have to say, this is very fulfilling to me and I wish more producers would try it.
Good luck on your journey - you're going to do great. And get yourself out there!
I appreciate your support John. This is truly inspiring to have people like you out there, thank you for all you do!!
Lindsey
Sneha Deb
Tech Consultant
194
Answers
Edison, New Jersey
Updated
Sneha’s Answer
Hey Lindsey! The most fulfilling part of my job as a tech consultant is solving complex problems that have a real impact on clients and their businesses. I enjoy being at the intersection of technology and strategy, where I can help companies innovate and operate more efficiently. Every project challenges me to keep learning and adapting, which reaffirms my decision to pursue this career. It’s rewarding to see how the work I do contributes to meaningful change and long-term value. Being part of a team that drives transformation keeps me motivated and excited for what’s next.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Lindsey
Elizabeth Bryson
Songwriter
12
Answers
Parkton, Maryland
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Lindsey!
The most fulfilling thing for me as a songwriter is hearing feedback from someone who listened to something I wrote and how it touched them in a way that helped them (even in the smallest way) to feel encouraged or just feeling peaceful when they listened to a certain song. It's a gift to hear that from a listener. I can't tell you what it feels like to make a lot of money as a songwriter or musician, because I haven't. Would it be nice to - yes! Even making enough to pay my bills would be great. However,, that is totally separate from the creative process. It may sound cliche, but I didn't choose music as a career, it chose me. I write and I sing and I play. That is what is fulfilling and to hear positive feedback is amazing icing on the cake!
God bless you on your journey!
Elizabeth
The most fulfilling thing for me as a songwriter is hearing feedback from someone who listened to something I wrote and how it touched them in a way that helped them (even in the smallest way) to feel encouraged or just feeling peaceful when they listened to a certain song. It's a gift to hear that from a listener. I can't tell you what it feels like to make a lot of money as a songwriter or musician, because I haven't. Would it be nice to - yes! Even making enough to pay my bills would be great. However,, that is totally separate from the creative process. It may sound cliche, but I didn't choose music as a career, it chose me. I write and I sing and I play. That is what is fulfilling and to hear positive feedback is amazing icing on the cake!
God bless you on your journey!
Elizabeth
Thank you!
Lindsey