Today, anyone who wants a career working in the music business with a label of some kind, or is looking into producing, engineering, or working in one of the many music-oriented jobs in the recording industry has many choices when it comes to educating themselves about the business. In addition to the many schools, programs, books, websites, and other informational tools at their disposal, the chance to do a good old-fashioned internship still exists.
In fact, more than ever many companies will not consider hiring someone unless they have had some 'real world' experience in a studio, post-production facility, record label, distributor, store, live performance venue, or other businesses related to recorded audio products.
For example, you may think you are qualified to work in a recording studio just because you have some training in Pro Tools, or have helped setup a school-related recording project. You may also have taken courses where you aced all the written projects, and marketing classes, and think you have what it takes to work for a recording facility or record label. Well, that is all great experience, but it isn't enough!
Nothing is more impressive than having done some work as an intern. Businesses that offer internships may demand a lot of you. They may (and will) test your patience by having you do what you think are mundane, boring, or menial tasks…Stick it out. Most likely you are being given a form of initiation. Most people in the recording industry started out doing menial tasks and when given the chance to express their skills…did so, and were rewarded with jobs, job-leads, promotions or recognition of some kind.
I can only do so much to encourage you to get yourself an internship. You have to bug your music industry contacts: teachers, producers and engineers you have met or just heard about. Also, go out and pound the pavement. Talk to guys who are working your favorite club or live venue. Bug the retail clerk at your favorite record store. Hang out in the music scene of your choice. Be pro-active. Ask everyone if they know of any internship openings in their field.Think about any website design work or blogs and or podcasts you have put together for a favoriite band or artist....ANY kind of experience you may have had, can help you get some kind of an internship.
Do research on the types of audio-related businesses in your city. Use the Internet. Go to the library and look up the many directories, and read the weekly and monthly recording industry trade magazines and journals. Get on the phone, and do some informational interviews with the recording industry business you would most like to work for. Even knock on people's doors. Do whatever you have to do to get an internship. Internship opportunities do not come knocking on your door. You have to motivate yourself to get involved with this industry.
This technique has a tradition attached to it. It is called "The School of Hard Knocks". It means that everyone worth anything in this business had to push themselves forward and find a way to get noticed. Producers have to do this. Engineers have to do this. Certainly recording studio, and record label have to do this. And, artists need to do this. So, while being laid back and mellow is a great way to relax, it will get you nowhere in the whirlwind world of the recording industry. "Get Up, Stand Up!" Do something!
This industry is nothing but competition. Not just for jobs, but competition that finds one company fending of another company for clients and deals. So, businesses are looking for the most highly motivated employees they can find. Are you up for the challenge?
Once you say "Yes, I'm ready to show the world how good I am" and you have found your first internship, learn how to work that opportunity. You will have to take the good with the bad. Interns may start out as the low men and women on the ladder, but those that impress with their positive attitudes and dedication to their work, whatever it may be…will reap rewards. - Chris Knab-
So, if you think you got what it takes, bring it on!
The Connected Music Group
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