Getting started - finding that first job in the music business
So, how do you go about finding a first job in the music business? And do you need a degree in it?
By Chris Cooke
Getting a first job in music isn’t as easy as it sounds – mainly because few music business jobs are advertised anywhere. Those that are may appear in the Media Guardian, but are more likely to be advertised in industry publications like Music Week or the CMU Daily (more on those here). But, assuming you don’t find your dream first job advertised anywhere, what else can you do?
Internships
Most people get into music by firstly doing some work experience at a music company. Nearly every record label, promoter and music PR company will take on interns at certain times of the year. This normally means doing the administrative jobs – stuffing envelopes, photocopying press releases, updating databases and phoning magazines to see if they are reviewing your releases – normally for no money (travel and food expenses if you’re lucky).
What is good about such internships is that they are an opportunity to learn about how different music companies work, to meet and impress people that work there, and start networking. A job may become available at the company where you intern, or people who work there may hear about jobs elsewhere on the grapevine. Many people get their first job this way.
But how do you get an internship? Well, do some web research and find the sorts of companies you would like to work for, and then get in touch with them. A good starting point is the directory on the CMU Music Network website here. If it’s a big company, find out a contact name in their HR (Human Resources) department and email them asking if they offer internships. At smaller companies you should probably contact the MD. You can normally find out the contact names you need from their website (some music companies put information about internships on their website too) – if not, give them a call and ask who you should contact about internship opportunities. It’s probably best to email your query. Make your email is short and polite, ask if they offer internships and if so how you go about applying for them. It is worth attaching your CV too.
A lot of music companies are based in London, so you might need to find somewhere to stay in the capital while you do your internship. That said, there are music companies in most cities around the UK, and sometimes starting with a locally based firm is better – chances are less people are asking for internships.
Extra-curricular stuff
If you are still a student another great way to get a head start in a music business career is to get involved in music related stuff at your university or college – eg presenting on the student radio station, writing for the music page on the student newspaper, or helping to organise students’ union club and gig nights. Doing these things will help you develop relevant skills and, perhaps more importantly, will help you make contacts in the music industry – PRs, pluggers, booking agents, promoters – who, providing they like you(!), may be able to help you find an internship or even a first job.
Part time jobs
Another great way to get into the music business, especially while you’re still a student, is to get a part time job in a music related business – ie a local record shop or gig venue. Again this is a great way to develop relevant skills and meet people in the industry, and this way you even get paid for your efforts! If you are looking for part time work as a student anyway, to help pay the bills, then why not find part time work which gives you some relevant experience in the industry where you want a career? Even if you don’t make many industry contacts through a part time job like this, it will look good on your CV.
A music business degree
Do you need a music business degree to work in the music business? The simple answer is no. Most music business degree courses are still relatively new, and most people working in the music industry won’t have one. However, that is not to say that a music business course – whether it’s an undergraduate degree or a post-graduate course – isn’t of value. Aside from giving you a good grounding in how the whole industry works, many of these courses help you find internships or give you access to industry people, which gives you a head start on the all important task of networking.
Universities that offer music business courses include…
London Metropolitan University – undergraduate course
Westminster University – undergraduate course and postgraduate course
Bucks New University – undergraduate course
Making it as an artist
What if you want to make music for a living? Well, it’s not easy. Most bands start by gigging on a regular basis, normally for little or no fee. Then they club together to buy some studio time – or set up a makeshift studio at home – and record their best songs. These songs can be posted on a MySpace artist page. The aim of all this is to start building a following – a fan base. Take email addresses at gigs, send out regular email bulletins and keep the MySpace up to date. After this, you really need to start looking for a manager (and may be a lawyer), preferably ones who will work for next to nothing on the basis they will make their fee if and when you get established. They should then help you look for those first crucial deals – a record and publishing deal – which will enable you to give up the day job and have a proper go at launching yourselves as an established band.
This article is part of the unicornjobs.com guide to Working In The Music Business. Click here to go to the guide index.
