Advice on an unusual job search: from guitar lessons to corporate finance

elenazucchini · #1 11.06.2009, 18:35

Hello all,

This is our first post on the forum so it's probably worth introducing ourselves first: we are two classical musicians, Stewart and Elena, who will be moving to Basel in August/September. While Elena will be studying at the Academy in Basel, I already work as a freelance performer and will be seeking part-time work.

I was wondering if anyone might offer their thoughts in exploring if - and for whom - my rather diverse background might be desirable in Basel. I am British with a masters degree in mathematics from Cambridge, a postgraduate diploma in music, certification and some experience in corporate finance and a good amount of one-on-one teaching experience. My first thoughts were to approach international schools for part-time/supply work in maths, complemented by private guitar tuition and to this end I have been researching institutions to approach. However, I don't have a PGCE - which looks like it could be a stumbling block - and while I have German GCSE, I'm somewhat out of practise...

Elena is Italian (although fluent in English too) and is also interested in finding local guitar teaching. We put a couple of CVs online if anyone feels they need more information in order to reply: http://www.draftonline.co.uk/cv

Does anyone have any opinions on whether this is a promising direction, or suggestions of where we might be useful? We've been researching as much as possible online but still don't really have a sense of how it all fits together. Any thoughts as to good next steps or alternative suggestions would be incredibly helpful.

Many thanks in advance and we look forward to becoming EnglishForum regulars!

Stewart and Elena

operagirl · #2 11.06.2009, 22:14

	Quote:	elenazucchini
	Hello all, This is our first post on the forum so it's probably worth introducing ourselves first: we are two classical musicians, Stewart and Elena, who will be moving to Basel in August/September. While Elena will be studying at the Academy in Basel, I already work as a freelance performer and will be seeking part-time work. I was wondering if anyone might offer their thoughts in exploring if - and for whom - my rather diverse background might be desirable in Basel. I am British with a masters degree in mathematics from Cambridge, a postgraduate diploma in music, certification and some experience in corporate finance and a good amount of one-on-one teaching experience. My first thoughts were to approach international schools for part-time/supply work in maths, complemented by private guitar tuition and to this end I have been researching institutions to approach. However, I don't have a PGCE - which looks like it could be a stumbling block - and while I have German GCSE, I'm somewhat out of practise... Elena is Italian (although fluent in English too) and is also interested in finding local guitar teaching. We put a couple of CVs online if anyone feels they need more information in order to reply: http://www.draftonline.co.uk/cv Does anyone have any opinions on whether this is a promising direction, or suggestions of where we might be useful? We've been researching as much as possible online but still don't really have a sense of how it all fits together. Any thoughts as to good next steps or alternative suggestions would be incredibly helpful. Many thanks in advance and we look forward to becoming EnglishForum regulars! Stewart and Elena

Welcome to Switzerland from a fellow musician.

I studied here and now live and work here. Jobs at Swiss Musikschulen are few and far between and almost always go to natives. That said, if you can find one, they are well paid with nice benefits.

I recommend joining the SMPV (www.smpv.ch), putting your name down in their registry as being interested in doing some substitute teaching at schools and also as being open to accepting private students. Also, get in touch with fellow guitarists in the area. Maybe you know this already, but the Dean of the Basel Academy is a fantastic guitarist himself.

In terms of getting students I have had success with classified ads and with my own website. Swiss like to mull things over a bit, so it is very good if you have your own site with all the details.

If you have any other ?'s please feel free to get in touch.

elenazucchini · #3 15.06.2009, 17:47

	Quote:	operagirl
	Welcome to Switzerland from a fellow musician. I studied here and now live and work here. Jobs at Swiss Musikschulen are few and far between and almost always go to natives. That said, if you can find one, they are well paid with nice benefits. I recommend joining the SMPV (www.smpv.ch), putting your name down in their registry as being interested in doing some substitute teaching at schools and also as being open to accepting private students. Also, get in touch with fellow guitarists in the area. Maybe you know this already, but the Dean of the Basel Academy is a fantastic guitarist himself. In terms of getting students I have had success with classified ads and with my own website. Swiss like to mull things over a bit, so it is very good if you have your own site with all the details. If you have any other ?'s please feel free to get in touch.

Great, thanks for that! So for the music side of things it sounds like a bit of self-publicity is the order of the day then. We'll certainly follow your suggestions on that side of things.

It would be nice to try to find something 'certain' for at least a small amount of time per week though. Does anyone have any ideas on the maths/language/finance front?

Cheers,

Stewart