5 Music roles that are perfect for students

A job whilst studying at university isnt for everyone but if you're aspiring to work within the music industry it is a huge part of your career. As a music student having that extra experience will give you the edge over other graduates when it comes to getting your foot in the door.

Balancing a degree and a job is a lot of work but it can have a variety of benefits for students including experience, making contacts and learning new skills that you may not have had the chance to learn in a classroom environment. If you're wondering what kind of jobs you can get as a student then we have a few suggestions.

If you would like to be working within the community then a job at a music/record shop would be a great one. Not only does it allow you to meet others with a similar passion for music but it introduces you to new genres and opens up opportunities to perform if they host small events or launches. The benefits all depend on where you decide to work so make sure you find a company you love and will enjoy working for.

If you're studying at an arts university then chances are they have an on campus radio station run by students. Take this opportunity to learn skills within radio and meet other aspiring musicians, this is the perfect role if you want to get into radio once you've graduated. You can also use the radio to reach out to record labels, small musicians and brands in the hope you may be able to obtain an interview or performance. The great thing about university radio stations is that they tend to have other roles available which may give you the chance to try different things and gain skills in all areas of the business.

On the other hand if you aren't interested in running the radio then you could kindly ask if your current college radio will let you perform or have an interview in the hope that it will give you a bit of exposure and in turn some paid work.

Universities are always putting on events and shows so make sure you get involved, again this is a fantastic opportunity if you want to experience different positions. These events tend to hire a lot of students from different subjects so whether you're a dj, sound tech or promoter there will always be an area of interest to you.

Another perk of universities is that there tends to be a lot of different venues dotted around including cafes and bars that welcome student applications. Working in these places not only allows you to interact with the community, most being creatives but similar to the point made previously these venues host events and student nights all week, giving you the chance to be a part of these by performing or working behind the scenes.

its important to note not all of these roles are paid, some reward volunteers with other benefits such as free drinks or entry and others are simply great for experience but all of them are opportunities not to miss as they will help get that step further in your career.

Credited and sourced from my work with Gearooz.

Unfortunately my work with them is no longer available to view online however I do have evidence of some of the pieces I wrote for them if needed.