I majored in something that may shock and surprise you:
Industrial Instrumentation Engineering Technology (IIET) What?? The music nerd didn't study music in college/university? Nope!

: (though I'm starting to wish I had... <_<

)
I completed the Industrial Instrumentation course in April 2007. It was a 2-year college program, intended for people wanting to work in both industrial field environments (oil/gas plants, water treatment facilities, mining operations, pulp and paper mills, etc.) and in the development/engineering/project side of these same industries. My training will also, theoretically, allow me to get a foot in the door in the commercial sector anywhere where instrumentation is used to control a process (heating/cooling/water/natural gas systems in a building, for example, or the temperature control system in general).
One can expect pay from $20/hr up to well over $40/hr as a starting wage, working in this industry, quickly moving upwards from there within a year or two.
I intended to move into either the water treatment industry, which resides close to the city I live in, or into an office setting, as I have little-to-no interest to work up in Northern Alberta's oilpatch, living in camps with rough-tough oil guys.
The problem is, it seems, landing a job in the office setting seems to be nearly impossible for one who lacks' field work experience, so I am having a difficult time finding a job. My applications to a nearby water station are also getting me nowhere.
Why did I study this program? My honest answer: I really don't have any skills that I can apply to the "work world", nor do I have any passions that lead themselves to being realistic career paths...therefore I chose something that I could complete in 2 years, which I was "aware" was high-demand in my area, with a solid salary right out of college...
However the "high demand" doesn't seem to be obvious in any way and instead of getting out the door and starting my real life with a few months as intended, I'm still sitting at home, working full-time as a cashier, making $12/hr...not even a living wage.
In response, I am taking an AutoCAD (drafting software) training course in college next month to add the knowledge of that software to my resume, which will hopefully help me get a job through a friend of mine. He suggested that with AutoCAD, I could get a job where he works, which would be a start, anyway...
Deep down, I want to pursue music but I know the financial side of that just isn't possible...I can't afford to study music and I can't afford to work in the music industry...they're just no money in it. Therefore, I need a Plan B to fall back on.