Music therapists will learn solid, field-tested strategies for moving forward professionally no matter the roadblocks they may encounter. Hear about significant professional and personal challenges others have encountered, and walk through specific steps necessary for developing a contingency plan, facing difficult challenges, rescuing a job, building professional value, and exploring new markets and profitable income-producing projects.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will identify a minimum of three techniques for exploring new markets and developing income-producing projects. (CBMT 2020: Domain V. A.1. and B.1-5, 9-12, 14)
- Participants will identify a minimum of three strategies to consider when developing counter proposals for job or budget restructuring required to retain a music therapy position. (CBMT 2020: Domain V.A.1, 4 and B.3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 12, 14)
- Participants will identify a minimum of three strategies to consider when developing a plan to increase their professional value and enhance their resume. (CBMT 2020: Domain V. A. 1-7)."
Schedule:
Step 1 of Persevering in Tough Times: 20 minutes
In the first step of this process is to expect the unexpected. Music therapists can take time to recognize factors that contribute to an uncertain future, including things such as (1) downsized salary, contracts, or benefits, (2) unexpected job loss, (3) serious illness or disability, (4) family or personal circumstances, or (5) natural disasters, pandemics, and other crises.
Step 2 of Persevering in Tough Times: 40 minutes
Once a music therapist recognizes the reality of professional roadblocks, the next step is to adopt a fire-drill mentality and prepare a contingency plan. This is best accomplished by defining career goals, by developing a multi-faceted financial plan, and by taking purposeful, systematic steps to invest in the future and to build professional value.
Step 3 of Persevering in Tough Times: 20 minutes
Another important factor in persevering in tough times is to avoid panic. The speaker will discuss specific strategies for finding an emotional support system, for putting their contingency plan into action, and for tackling challenges head on.
Break: 10 minutes
Step 4 of Persevering in Tough Times: 40 minutes
The fourth step in this process is for the music therapist to roll up their sleeves and crash through career roadblocks. The presenter will talk about steps that can be taken for rescuing a job and for restructuring a job. Ideas will be discussed for developing new skills to build professional worth and for exploring new markets and income-producing projects.
Step 5 of Persevering in Tough Times: 30 minutes
The final point in this presentation is that of recognizing the broad scope of music as an income-producing skill. Specific strategies for exploring full-time and part-time jobs as well as free-lance opportunities in clinical music therapy, training, consulting, and mentoring will be discussed. A music therapist can also look into the options of teaching music, performing, and producing music, music events, and therapy events. The point will be emphasized that a music therapist will not want to wait for an emergency to arise before spending time enhancing their resume and for building their network in related professional areas.
Closing: 15 minutes for completing CMTE paperwork