finding your calling

CHANGING CAREER PATHWAY              

Sixteen is so early to be sure of your future career so this section is about college students who have followed a new direction. 

Ben Tournier - Musician @tourniermusic

(former Graphic Design student at college)  

I chose to study Graphic Design at college, primarily because I wanted to learn how to create websites, logos and digital designs using a Mac, which I couldn’t afford at the time. But it was music that had always been my passion. At that time I was dealing with a lot of personal issues at home and this had a huge impact on me mentally. The kind of music I was making back then didn’t reflect who I truly was; it was more of an escape from what I was going through. I was trying to mask my struggles, and honestly, I had a lot of growing up to do. 

Despite this, I really enjoyed media studies at school, and graphic design became a way for me to express myself in a less vulnerable way than music. It helped me find a sense of calm and focus. Graphic design opened my eyes to a more relaxed way of working and thinking. It taught me that no idea is bad—it’s all in how you develop it. This mindset helped me deal with some of the anxiety I was feeling and enabled me to put my energy into something productive. 

I didn’t go to university due to personal circumstances, including my mental health, which I was still learning to manage. Even so, the skills I picked up in college, like mastering Adobe Creative Suite and learning to build websites, design posters, and create logos, stayed with me. These skills were invaluable when I finally felt ready to take music seriously again. I also created designs while being self-employed, which gave me more freedom and a sense of control over my work and my time—something that really helped my mental well-being. What you learn doesn’t just stay in the classroom; it can be a way to make money, and you don’t necessarily need university to succeed.

Finding my voice:  

Growing up, music was a lifeline for me. I’d listen to anything and everything, as long as I could relate to it. As I got older and faced more challenges, music became even more important. There were times when it felt like the only thing keeping me going, especially when my mental health was at its lowest. It provided a sense of connection when I felt isolated. 

I was hugely influenced by Jimi Hendrix. I remember when my mum got a grant for free music lessons and I started learning guitar. I would listen to Hendrix on YouTube and run around the house pretending to be him. Music gave me a way to escape my thoughts and feel free, even when things at home were hard. It’s funny because I never actually learned to play like Hendrix, but he’s still my favourite guitarist. 

As I grew older, songwriting came into my life. After learning chord progressions and really diving into albums like Ed Sheeran’s No.5 Collaborations Project and Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP, I found that I could express emotions I’d been bottling up. Writing became a way for me to process my feelings in a healthier way.

Music as a career choice  

Music was always something I loved, but I didn’t fully understand its impact on me until I started writing and producing. When you’re just listening to music, it’s easy to enjoy it, but when you write it becomes something real and deeply personal. At 16 or 17, I was writing songs without much emotional depth, but by 19 or 20, music had become a way for me to pour my heart out. I had gone through some really dark times after leaving college, and music became my therapy. 

During those hard times, I struggled a lot with depression and anxiety. I often felt lost and uncertain about the future, but creating music helped me process those emotions. It gave me a sense of purpose when everything else felt overwhelming. Music helped me breathe again when I felt suffocated by my thoughts. It became a safe space where I could release everything I was holding inside. As I started my own family, music became even more important—it helped me navigate the emotional ups and downs of adulthood and fatherhood. 

My motivation 

My family is my biggest motivation, especially since becoming a dad. All I want is to create a better life for my kids and show them that no matter how hard things get, if you set your mind on something, you can achieve it. That’s something I’ve learned through my struggles with mental health and pursuing music. It hasn’t always been easy, and there were times when I felt like giving up, but knowing that I could set an example for my children kept me going. 

I also want to show them that it’s okay to talk about your struggles and not shy away from what’s going on inside. Mental health is something we should be open about.

Choosing a creative life

Music is an art form that requires not only creativity but also emotional vulnerability. It’s not just about technical skills like learning instruments or production—it’s about being able to tap into your own experiences, whether they’re positive or negative. For me, music has been a craft where I can take the highs and lows of life and turn them into something meaningful. The ability to turn pain into art is something I’ve learned over time, and it’s an ongoing process. It requires patience, resilience and a lot of self-reflection.

My music

I’ve released a track called Demons, which is available on all streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. You can also find me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok @tourniermusic. This song, in particular, is a reflection of my personal battles with mental health and finding a way to confront those demons head-on.

See me live

I’m hosting my first event on September 14th in East London, called Dopamine, and it’s free. I’ll be performing live, alongside other up-and-coming artists. This event is something I’m really excited about because it’s a chance to share my music and connect with people who may have gone through similar struggles.

My advice to my teenage self 

It’s not going to be easy, and yeah, life moves fast. Don’t waste your time with people who don’t appreciate you and never feel like you have to be someone you’re not. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you’re struggling. Trust me, bottling things up will only weigh you down. 

Take care of your mental health, and remember,

“it’s okay to not have everything figured out right away.”

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