How to get an internship within the Music industry and why they are so beneficial

Internships are extremely valuable experience that can benefit you in so many, no matter what career you choose to follow. It provides you with the opportunity to learn from professionals and experience day to day life within certain roles, as well as the chance to meet new people and build important relationships with people in the industry who you may end up collaborating with in the future. Businesses tend to go to their interns when looking for someone to fill and entry level role so its a great way to get yourself on the ladder of full time employment, especially in such a lucrative industry.

Before you begin applying for internships you want to determine the type of role you want to go for. There are many different companies and positions within the industry, decide whether you want to go for a large record label or an independent one. Perhaps you’re looking to find a placement with a particular agency, venue or studio, its important you have an idea of where you want to work so you can narrow down your search. Its also beneficial if you know which specific area within music you would like to work in, an internship is there to help you gain skills and relationships that will help you get into your desired career in the future. When it comes to getting in touch with these company try and specify what type of role you are working towards so they can point you in the right direction.

Try not to be too close minded; although you may have a set role or area you want to work in its important to also take any opportunities that may arise. You can gain so many valuable skills that are transferable across different jobs within the industry and you never know what may come from working on different projects. It's great to have an end goal in mind but your path towards it might not be set in stone so keep your mind open to unexpected offers, it may just get you to where you want to be. Your dream role may not be readily available to you immediately but getting your foot in the door is a start and with some hard work you will be able to work your way into your ideal job. 

Understand before you go into an internship that you may not be on the same pay as employees on regular contracts. Whilst there are some internships that pay well they do tend to be on the lower end. Internships are all about on the job training, it's an opportunity to learning and grow as an industry professional so whilst it may be tough and jobs may seem small its those willing to put in the work that will make an impression. With that in mind you will want to ensure you are getting the most out of your time so if you feel you aren’t getting the chance to really learn and improve then voice your concerns or move on. 

So where to start when finding an internship, not all placements are easily found on a job site so its likely you will have to actively find one yourself which is also a great way to show intuitive and determination. The first thing to do is check the company websites, if any are being advertised they will be on there, they are likely to have a guide on how to apply so it makes it easier for you. If you can’t find any that suit you then you could always get in touch to offer your services in return for experience, don’t forget to add evidence of your work to your email. Sometimes businesses don’t realise they need an extra pair of hands until they are presented to them.

If you are a part of a college or university then take full advantage of this, check your schools placement office. Universities tend to have a huge variety of internships and work experience available to their students, as they work with companies to help graduates get into their chosen careers. If there isn't one for you then you can always ask if they could try and prepare one for you, there’s always a possibility that they will help you out.

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.