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How do you know you've found the right career? Does my current interest seem reasonable?
At age 17, I've been looking through many different options as far as careers go. I have considered many things from a car mechanic to a computer programmer, but those were all uneducated guesses.
Nearly two years ago I picked up the bass guitar and off and on I would play it, but a year ago I took it seriously and discovered that I can really see myself doing this sort of thing. This has jumped around from being a performer, which I found out the hard way that I probably couldn't do, to becoming a music teacher. And then finally today I decided I would like to work on guitars/basses for a living, which would fit nicely in with the whole music teaching thing (I'm talking about one on one personal music lessons). I don't have enough theory to teach music just yet, but for the meantime I could probably make a career in working/modifying instruments.
To top it off, I have the card for a local repairman and could MAYBE get some extra advice from him himself.
So does this sound right?
I am not a musician, but I have some observations. Given that you want to become a music instrument technician, you will be working for yourself as an entrepreneur. All GREAT businesses who survive in upturns and downturns have 3 income streams. If business is bad, then you have 2 others to fall back on until the other one turns around. I think fixing/adjusting instruments is GREAT and needed service. I believe you MUST go back to school and get more music theory and continue to teach. Even though the credential/degree is not critical, it gives credibility to your business and on equal footing as others in the business. I recommend that you also get one more complementary skill/service for your business (i.e. being a performer, writing music/lyrics, renting musical equipment, producing new talent, sound engineering etc). Doing what you love is ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT lessons in life, but you must prepare/plan and be one of the BEST in your local field in order to survive.
also consider your life goals and objective and how do they fit into your lifestyle. You have an uphill battle, but if you succeed, you will find a very fulfilling life which you can;'t wait to live each and every day.