You're More Employable Than You Think

Aug 14, 2025

You’re More Employable Than You Think.

If you’ve spent years touring, you know the road changes you.

It builds resilience.
It sharpens problem-solving.
It gives you a work ethic most industries can only dream of.

And yet—when the time comes to step off the bus—it can feel… paralyzing.

I remember being ready to get off the road but having no idea what was next.
I didn’t know how my skills translated.
I couldn’t picture myself in a cubicle or corporate setting.

We chose the road for a reason.
We like movement, variety, unpredictability.
We thrive on problem-solving in real time.

But life changes. Priorities shift.
Maybe you want stability.
Maybe you’re starting a family.
Maybe your body is telling you it’s time.

Here’s the good news: you are more employable than you think.

Your touring skill set is an asset in countless roles off the road. You just have to see the connection.

Here are a few examples:

Installations & Integrations Team (Audio, Lighting, Video)
– One of the most in-demand areas in our industry. Your touring skills in setup, troubleshooting, and teamwork translate directly. It’s stable, often well-paid, and always needed.

Labor Coordinator (for a vendor or staffing company)
– You already know how to schedule crews, manage load-ins, and keep timelines moving.

Sales Representative (AV, staging, lighting, or gear vendors)
– You know the gear, the clients, and how to build trust quickly.

Business Manager (Accounting & Financial Management)
– If you’ve managed budgets, settlements, and expense tracking, you have the foundation to help artists or companies manage their money.

Artist Manager
– Strong logistics, scheduling, people management, and problem-solving skills are critical for this role.

Venue or Festival Operations Manager
– You already understand how a show runs from load-in to load-out. Now you can oversee the entire operation.

Production Manager for Corporate or Special Events
– Corporate events run just like a tour stop—only with shorter days and often better catering.

Project Manager for AV or Staging Projects
– If you’ve advanced shows and coordinated departments, you can manage installs, exhibitions, and large-scale builds.

The key is this:

Don’t just ask “what jobs are out there?” Ask “what do I already do every day that translates?”

If you’ve been a Production Assistant, you’ve already coordinated complex schedules, handled last-minute changes, managed multiple personalities, and kept the flow moving. That’s operations management anywhere.

If you’ve been a Tour Manager, you’ve handled budgets, HR, logistics, client service, and problem-solving—skills that carry into vendor leadership, venue management, or high-level event planning.

If you’ve been a Stage Manager, you’ve run cues, adapted under pressure, and led teams with precision—perfect for technical directing or show calling.