Mid-life career crisis

I'm approaching the age of 30 soon next month and am now contemplating hard on the future prospects of my career..

It's been almost 5 years since I started working in 2001 and alhamdulillah I've survived well. It's just that now I need a career switch. Perhaps do something I really like to do (eg photography or maybe music production). I know that there might not be much of a demand out there for budding photograpers or music producers but it's something which I would want to venture into.

In Singapore we have been indoctrinated to be good citizens by following the traditional path of primary, secondary, JC/Poly/ITE, maybe University and later contribute to the economy. Our parents wanted us to become engineers, lawyers, accountants, etc... So I did follow that path, been through some difficult times in University and managed to land myself with an OK job 6 months after graduation. Now come to think of it, I don't really like what I'm doing. Computer hardware and software somehow does not appeal to me anymore.

During the past few years, I managed to learn some photography skills. Only thing is that now when I'm married, with a kid, etc it's quite difficult to sustain the interest (I very much would like to!!!) I do have dreams of having my own photo studio, working as my own boss to my company, etc. I hope to achieve this dream some day.

With regards to music, sometimes I wished that I could learn the piano when I'm young as it would be the basis to a good music education and maybe a music career. Learning the trumpet since secondary school is not enough. And now, I'm currently exposed to good music from radio, internet and my record/CD purchases... I'm not satisfied being just a listener!! I would want to make music myself and market myself as a music producer! (after learning some software and hardware of course)

I'm also currently learning French (advanced level) and would love to apply what I've learnt overseas. That means working in francophone country or any other country where the job scope utilises the French language. But that means we could only do so after Azlina's teaching bond and by then Iffah would be quite old enough. Living overseas for some time would definitely open up my senses and perhaps give my career a much needed boost. We'll definitely consider it when such opportunities come knocking at my doors..