PatreceRobinsonphotoExplore Being a Career Services Director with Patrece Robinson, BM, MM

Patrece has a dual role as Assistant Director of Career Services and Adjunct Professor of Music at Stetson University

Patrece Robinson, BM, MM Assistant Director of Stetson University Career Services Adjunct Faculty of Music Stetson Career Center Director shares how she combined love of music with a career in education Patrece Robinson’s passion for music was impossible to leave behind. As a dedicated musician, she practiced and studied intensely since the age of five. Despite being an accomplished performer, she knew it would be difficult to balance the intensity of 6-hour daily practices with a personal life. She re-focused on the business aspects of the field. After years of building her expertise she took that wisdom on the college campus. Today she is a music professor and also guides students as Stetson’s Assistant Director in the career center.

cz: Briefly describe your job.

As Assistant Director of Stetson University Career Development, my role is quite extensive:

I am also an Adjunct Faculty of Music member at Stetson University where I teach Career Skills for upper division music students. I guide undergraduates with respect to graduate programs/applications, summer music festivals, individual research, auditions, and career opportunities. Additionally, I developed and administer an Internship Program for University Music Students, locating internship sites, developing relationships with professional arts organizations and monitor student progress.

cz: How long have you been working in this field?

I have been involved in the Performing Arts Administration industry since 1980, In addition to my roles as Assistant Director of Stetson University Career Development and Adjunct Faculty in the School of Music, I also currently function as Executive Director for Lakeside Productions and Lakeside Records. From 1991-2005, I served as Administrative Director for the Stetson International Guitar Workshop, as Director of the Stetson University Community School of the Arts from 1993-1997, and as Business Manager for Central Florida Cultural Endeavors, Inc. and the Florida International Festival during 2006-2007.

cz: When and how did you decide to choose this career?

I began the study of piano at the age of 5 and continued with intense study until I entered college. Pursuing performance degrees in piano, I diligently practiced 6 hours daily without fail. Realizing that it would be difficult to maintain this level of intensity while balancing a fulfilling personal life, I chose to focus on the administrative side of music, and began providing personal representation to other performing artists where I oversaw sales, budget management, marketing, promotional and public relation materials. Through the years, my entrepreneurial mindset paved the way for additional opportunities where I combined my love of music and innate business expertise.

cz: What education and training did you receive before entering your field?

A native of Miami, I graduated summa cum laude from Florida State University with Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in piano performance where I was a student of the great Hungarian pianist, Edward Kilenyi. I have supplemented my artistic education with post-baccalaureate coursework in Accounting, Business Law, Economics-Macro/Micro, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Statistics.

cz: How did you begin OR what was your first job in the field?

As a graduate student at Florida State University, I was awarded an assistantship in the Graduate Admissions Office. Here, I was initially introduced to arts administration and assisted in the management of daily graduate student operations.

cz: Describe a typical day on the job?

My days are usually 10 hours long. Throughout each day, I work individually with students (providing a host of guidance on graduate schools, job/internship searches and document reviews), teach class, serve on University committees, critique various documents electronically, and facilitate class presentations on diverse career related topics.

cz: What do you like most about what you do?

I enjoy the variety of my job, and find great satisfaction in helping students map their way to success.

cz: What has been the most rewarding experience so far in your career?

Having students return to me and report their accomplishments based on my guidance is extremely rewarding.

cz: What do you like least about your job?

Working in academia and/or the performing arts does not provide a large income. However, I prefer to focus on not how much money I make, but how much money I keep (and save) by living below my financial means.

cz: What is the biggest challenge for you in this job?

Balancing the bureaucratic requirements of an academic institution often demand a large portion of my time. Because of this, there never seems to be enough hours in a day to accomplish what is needed.

cz: What would you like to say to someone considering this career?

If this is your passion, the choice is very fulfilling. I have been very fortunate to chisel a very specific niche in Career Development combining my background in music, my strong administrative attributes, and my desire to nurture. Determine what you enjoy, acquire the necessary training, skills, and experiences, and design your road to success. Allow for detours along the way, be flexible, and above all, be willing to persevere.

cz: What are the most important personal and professional skills necessary to succeed in your field?

To succeed in the field of music, one needs all of the following:

To thrive in any field, the following transferable skills should be developed:

cz: What would a person interested in entering this field have to do to get a good job in it?
cz: What could someone who is interested in this field do to learn more about it right now?

I would be happy to talk with any student who wishes to pursue a career in music, arts administration and/or career development.

cz: Is there any general advice you would like to offer to students on making a career choice or on work life itself?

Decide what you are passionate about; assess what you value in life; pursue a well-rounded education at a quality institution of higher learning; set your path towards success and be flexible in your pursuit.

cz: You have an unusual background. Not many career services professionals are actively engaged in the professions their students are interested in exploring. How doyou leverage and integrate your experience in music as an adjunct professor in the process of providing career counseling to students?

For me, these two areas work hand in hand. Because I advise music students on all facets of career development, I am able to draw on my personal experiences from the past 30 years. Much of what I have learned is transferable to students in all majors. Whether one is pursuing a career as a performing or visual artist, an educator or scientist, an athlete or physician, I recommend that one secures as much business savvy as possible while taking advantage of available resources, networking opportunities, and community engagement activities.

cz: What are the areas you explore when students first approach you about pursuing a career in music?

One must first decide which course of study to focus on: Education, Performance, Composition, Theory, Therapy, Conducting and/or Music Administration. I recommend developing diverse proficiencies in business and marketing while thinking ‘entrepreneurial’ to broaden the range of career possibilities.

cz: What are the competencies students should have if they wish to pursue a music degree and a career in music?

How one plays one’s instrument is the most important factor in deciding to pursue a degree in music. Secure the best teacher possible, practice diligently, learn repertoire, and equip yourself with a foundation in music theory.

cz: What are the behavioral disqualifiers and derailers to a successful career in music?
cz: When you and I were discussing this earlier you mentioned that exceptional talent in a field of music is not necessarily a requirement for success in a career in music. How so?

For an individual to secure work and remain competitive in the music industry, one must possess much more than simply exceptional talent. Training, confidence, creative self-promotion, a ‘thick skin,’ relationship building, perseverance, and a bit of luck all come into play.

To put it in perspective and to succeed in the field of music, one needs all of the following:

cz: How has the road to a successful music career changed during your career and what do you believe is the current model for success?

The classical music industry has undergone a major transformation over the past couple of decades. This is attributed to a variety of factors: an overflowing supply of extremely talented performing artists who are competing for diminishing traditional full-time positions in academia and in orchestras; a lack of funding for non-profit presenting arts organizations; the economic downturn where corporate financial support has dwindled; an ever-changing recording landscape.
Music entrepreneurship is the new initiative at colleges and universities across the country. Flexibility and adaptability are key factors with the shifting scene. One needs to be a not only a great player, but a creative thinker armed with business proficiencies, excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills, and a vision for creating opportunities.

cz: What advice would you give students who are interested in pursuing a musical career?

Don’t lose sight of your ultimate goal, be open to change, gather a good support system, secure the best training possible, take advantage of performance opportunities, and lay the foundation for strong relationships.

cz: Is there anything else you wish to add that students should consider before making a decision to pursue a career in music?

If there is anything else you can see yourself doing as you choose a career, then do it.

cz: In your opinion, what are the elements of a successful career, regardless of the focus?

Decide what you are passionate about; assess what you values in life; pursue a well-rounded education at a quality institution of higher learning; set your path towards success and be flexible in your pursuit.