Music Consulting Internship: Lessons, Goals & Reflections

First Impressions: From School to the Workplace

Every time a person transitions into a new environment, there is nervousness. I remember how anxious I was when I first went to middle school. I was leaving a small elementary school and moving into one with several times the number of students. I also knew I was going to be on my own much more. I wouldn't be able to make as many mistakes or put off homework assignments and projects. I found that out quickly when I went from classroom to classroom — another big difference from elementary school that required real time management skills — and each teacher had a different coursework schedule. Many of them said, "If you are a day late with homework, you are docked." Not as lenient as elementary school.

High school was another major transition. Teachers' expectations were now, in many cases, the same as those in college. As a musician, I was less structured than many other students I knew. I think there is something genuinely different in the minds of musicians and other artists compared to someone going into a more traditional or conventional career such as business or healthcare. Somehow my studies were often placed second after my music — something that could have gotten me in trouble if I hadn't watched for it. When I sat in math class trying to focus on the board and what the teacher was saying, there was often a strong beat of music in my head competing for my attention. Regardless, I made it through high school with decent grades and moved on to college. Admittedly, this was the biggest step I had taken. I had done some part-time work over the years and been involved in many music ventures with friends, but now I was truly going off on my own and was personally responsible for whether I succeeded.

That changed when I accepted an internship at a music consulting firm. This was going to be an experience unlike anything I had encountered before — a true learning experience, I was sure.

Discovering the Music Consulting World

When I found out I was going to work for a music consulting company, I was ecstatic. This was exactly where I had hoped to work after graduating, and now I had the chance to see what it was all about — whether I liked the work (what wasn't there to like, I thought?) and what contacts I could make during the internship to double the benefits of my time spent there. It took some getting used to setting that alarm and knowing there was no wiggle room the way there was at school. When your employer tells you to be in at a certain time, that is it — early, perhaps, but never late. That also meant being careful not to stay up too late or have too much fun the night before. Even though this was the music business, which is less traditional than many industries, I knew it was a working environment that did not tolerate slackers.

That was one of the first things I learned. This place was not like sitting around with friends talking about music or just playing around. As soon as I arrived, met the people I'd be working with, and signed some paperwork, it was down to business. There was a great deal going on, and I was going to jump right in and be part of it. The company was involved in many different things, and I looked forward to learning about all of them. It felt very different from college — everyone was much more focused, and nearly every conversation centered on work. My supervisors at various positions were pleasant but demanding, and they appreciated the way I worked. Our company's mission is to assist independent musicians of all types in furthering their careers in the music industry — serious work indeed. Musicians need help setting goals, developing a plan, and then executing it. We help musicians better understand and navigate this fast-moving industry and help them make the right connections. What I most hoped to learn was the marketing side: creating buzz for musicians through marketing and promotional efforts.

Skill Building in a Fast-Paced Industry

The music industry is truly fast-paced. It is not like working at an accounting firm at a desk all day. I quickly learned this was not going to be a standard nine-to-five job where I would sit at my desk and make calls all day. Things are always moving, even when I arrive early in the morning, because the music business never sleeps. I soon realized I would be working some evenings and weekends, and I would be doing something different every day. My internship is structured so that I spend time in different roles, as the company wants to show me how all departments operate. I work in positions including archive organizer, assistant to the CEO, marketing division, mailroom, and customer assistance.

I also discovered that many of the skills I had already been developing — such as time management, multitasking, and communication — are genuinely critical here. I needed to sharpen them, since we help musicians with these same skills. A consultant is like a coach, mentor, pastor, friend, business associate, and human resources professional all rolled into one. If I wasn't strong in a skill, how could I help someone else develop it? Time management and musicians is often an oxymoron. Musicians come to a consultant who can help them by providing organizational structure to their business and helping them schedule their time more effectively, so they have the best opportunity for networking, prospecting clients, and being hired for musical work. In order to build a successful business in the field of music, productivity is essential. Networking at business and social events is the most productive way to spread the word about a music service and begin building a meaningful contact and referral base — but this requires organizational skills to accomplish the most work in the least amount of time.