Dylan White’s passion for music is undeniable, but the harsh reality of making a living as a musician often proves discouraging. With a strong desire to pursue his artistic ambitions, Dylan found himself at a crossroads, needing a stable income to support himself while wanting a job that wouldn’t stifle his creative aspirations.
For 12 months, Dylan, then 17, struggled to decide on a career path, applying for various roles but facing rejections due to his age and lack of experience.
He was eager to work in retail or warehousing, but these opportunities were not available to him at the time. “I think the biggest challenge was deciding what sort of job industry to look at long-term,” Dylan said.
Dylan’s journey took a significant turn when he left Australia for America in 2021, driven by his passion for music and inspired by his mother’s career as an actress.
He spent two and a half years in the States, attempting to kickstart his music career.
Although his time in America was formative, the challenges of making a living as a musician became apparent. Tragically, his father passed away just before they left, adding a layer of complexity to his journey.
Financial struggles weighed heavily on Dylan upon his return to Australia in 2023, “I was struggling financially and felt like I wasn’t doing all I could to help my family,” he said.
It wasn’t until Dylan joined the AGA’s Transition to Work (TtW) program that he began to find direction. The TtW program provided Dylan with the support and guidance he needed to navigate the job market. This free service is designed to support young people aged 15-24 in developing practical skills to secure employment, including apprenticeships, training, or further education.
Through workshops and one-on-one consultations with his Youth Employment Consultant, Camelia Kora, Dylan gained valuable skills and insights that helped him identify a career path aligned with his strengths and interests. The program helped him build confidence, self-esteem, and develop a more positive mindset towards his job search.
“The biggest thing is how supportive they are and how determined they are to get you a job,” Dylan praised. “It’s not just about being determined yourself; they’re also very excited for you to succeed and are lovely to work with.”
Dylan eventually secured a role as a labourer and cabinet maker, a job that he enjoys and finds fulfilling. While it’s not his dream job as a musician, it provides him with the financial stability he needs to continue pursuing his passion for music. He is part of a band, with vocals and guitar being his passion, “Currently, I prefer a normal job, like something in trade… but eventually, I would definitely prefer to work on my music and do that for as long as I can,” Dylan said.
“The problem is that with music industry, our most beloved artists, they also have full-time jobs as well especially when they’re just starting out in the industry.”
Less than half of an Australian artist’s income is generated by their original creative work, with artists relying on unrelated pursuits to make a living. According to Professor David Throsby and Katya Petetskaya from Macquarie Business School, only 42 per cent of an artist’s salary is generated by artistic endeavours.
Dylan is also taking proactive steps to enhance his skills for his 9-5 role, currently doing a course to gain more experience in his industry, which could lead to opportunities in housing construction. He is also considering a VET course for additional experience.
As Dylan continues to balance his creative pursuits with his current role, he has come to realise that having a stable income doesn’t mean sacrificing his dreams. Instead, it’s a stepping stone towards achieving his long-term goals.
Dylan’s advice to others struggling with their job search is to try out AGA’s TtW program: “Just give it a go. It is really scary to begin with, but you’ll warm up to it and start to realise that there’s not much to worry about,” he said.
“You’re not going to be judged as everyone is there for the same reason.”
