Welcome to the “Navigating Your 20s Series”! In today’s post, we’re taking a look at a day in the life of a piano teacher and academic tutor. The goal is to showcase different career paths and job types. And to explore how someone in their 20s is navigating work, especially when it doesn’t follow the traditional 9-to-5 structure.
Before we get started, click HERE to learn more about the “Navigating your 20s Series” and its purpose.
How did you get started as a piano teacher and academic tutor?
My journey started pretty early on, thanks to my mom, who worked as a preschool teacher. I was constantly exposed to education and teaching and she would often incorporate me within her lesson planning.
Around the age of 14, I began babysitting. And while babysitting I would often help the children with their homework. Without realizing it, this was a stepping stone into the world of tutoring.
Around this time frame, my mom would casually mention to friends that her daughter played piano. Which paved the way to me teaching piano to my mom’s friends’ children. Over time, word of mouth continued to open doors and I casually continued tutoring and teaching piano to a handful of students.
In college, I discovered a love for planning, business, and organizing. These skills complemented my passion for working with kids. And with the need to pay for college expenses and still have flexibility to attend classes, study, and meet my other student demands, I naturally looked back to tutoring as a side job.
How did you get your first piano job?
I got my first piano job through a word-of-mouth connection. Later on, in 2021 (till now), I started working with a music teaching company that connects me with new students and teaching opportunities.
What are some pros and cons of working as a piano teacher and academic tutor?
Pros:
One of the biggest perks is the flexibility. I get to manage my own schedule, which works perfectly for me since I’m a night owl. I enjoy having a slow and delayed morning to ease into the day.
Another highlight is watching my students grow, and not just in knowledge but in confidence. It’s so rewarding seeing them believe in their skills and within themselves as a whole.
Cons:
As my student list grows, scheduling becomes more of a challenge. Many of my students are only available in the late afternoon or evening after school, which leads to time overlaps. Because of that, I often use Saturdays to fit in extra tutoring sessions.
Another challenge is that it can be difficult balancing work and being a full time college student. However, since many of my classes are online, I have the privilege of greater time flexibility.
Typical day in the Life (Thursday Edition)
Every day looks a little different since I work with various students and meeting times. But here’s a general layout of what my Thursdays look like. It’s one of my busier days with several students scheduled.
9:00 AM-ish | Wake up, pray, Bible study
9:30 AM | Get ready for the day
10:00 AM | Work on lesson plans and create materials
11:00 AM | Academic tutoring session with a homeschool student (since she’s not in a traditional school setting, we meet during the day)
2:00 PM | Break time (this can include): catching up with friends, watching a show, eating lunch, and handling personal tasks (like paying bills)
3:30–7:30 PM | Teach piano lessons
7:45 PM | Head home and eat dinner
8:00–10:00 PM | Online tutoring sessions
10:30 PM | Quick daily review: go over how many students I worked with, what we covered, and prep a little for tomorrow; shower and start winding down
11:00 PM | Study for my own classes and work on college coursework (Thursdays are packed, so I usually do most of my studying on other days)
1:00 AM | Relaxation time: scroll through Instagram, watch a show, and do a night time devotional
2:00 AM-ish | Go to bed
