Many of today's music industry experts originally began their careers as college interns. Music industry internships provide invaluable experience for young aspirants and offer a chance to learn the ropes of the music business. Types of music industry internships vary widely, from performing clerical tasks to working in promotions and marketing, or recording studio apprenticeships. Perks and bonuses may include free concert tickets and the opportunity to meet famous musical artists. Not all the work is glamorous, however; interns are frequently assigned menial jobs such as running errands, fetching coffee, answering phones and cleaning up the studio after hours.
Music industry internships can be the key that opens doors in a business that is notoriously difficult to break into. College students typically find such opportunities through their school's job placement program. Internships are also advertised in local newspapers, online job boards, and on employer's websites. Some part-time internships are paid, others offer college credits. Even in an unpaid position, a motivated and capable intern will often find permanent employment through connections made during his or her internship.
Job seekers are encouraged to seek out internships in the particular branch of the industry that interests them most. For example, someone looking for a career in radio would likely start out assisting with remote broadcasts or promotions. A record company might put an intern to work updating the label's online social networks with bulletins about new releases. An intern interested in concert promotion may start out setting up live sound equipment or providing hospitality to the artists backstage. Those wanting to break into music merchandising usually start out clerking at a local record store or inventory warehouse.
Music industry internships can eventually lead to careers in upper management as well. It is a fairly common practice for an intern to begin as an executive's personal assistant and work their way up to a promotion. Some interns target their job search to a list of their favorite artists in hopes of one day landing that "dream job." In some instances, an enterprising young intern may find themselves chosen to be part of a recording artists' support team or entourage'. Such opportunities are far more plentiful in music capitals such as Los Angeles, New York, London and Nashville, although music industry internships can be found in smaller markets as well.
