Gaining experience
Music
Breaking into the music industry can be tough and so previous experience is crucial. The more experience across different areas you can gain, the stronger your applications will be. As well as providing you with more knowledge, gaining experience will also help you to decide which specific direction you wish to take. The key to success is to prepare thoroughly, do your research and organise your experience in good time.
Types of opportunities
Below are some examples of the different types of opportunities to gain experience while you study.
Placements are a great way to gain substantial experience, help you to build contacts and gain an understanding of an organisation.
On some degrees, work placements are part of the programme, whilst on others you can choose to complete a placement as one of your modules.
To learn more about completing a placement, you can contact the Placements team in the Careers and Employability Service.
Internships are usually for a fixed period and give you more hands-on experience. Many employers will treat interns in the same way as full-time employees, so when future job roles ask for 'at least one year's experience' you can include an internship in this type of experience.
Several UK music companies offer internships providing experience in areas like A&R, marketing, digital, and artist management.
- Sony Music - Sony Music runs an annual A&R Academy to experience what it is to be in A&R at Sony Music. You will be a part of shaping what’s next by working within one of their labels to support the team and develop your skills in A&R for 12 months.
- Warner Music Group - Varying types of internships offered by one of the biggest music companies in the UK, you may need to take a speculative approach if there are no internships being advertised.
- Young - The Young Artists Internship supports engaged fans of music and culture on their journey to learning more about the music industry. Young is a British independent record label that sits in the Beggars Group of labels.
- Larp Music - offers a two week music internship for composers, music producers and mix engineers.
- Spotify Global Summer Internship Program - Offer a huge range of opportunities across their business, product and technical teams, and the chance to make a direct impact on how they amplify the voices of creators and inspire and entertain the world. Internship spots are available in multiple locations around the world.
- Universal Music Group - Universal Music is the UK’s leading music company alongside labels which include Decca, Island EMI Label Group, and Polydor Label Group, and businesses include Abbey Road, the world’s most famous recording studio and Mercury Studios, music-first content studio. UMG offers internships in different departments like A&R, Marketing, and Label Operations.
Enhance your prospects with hands-on experience through volunteering. Whether you're uncertain about your career path or aiming for professional success, volunteering offers a chance to explore diverse roles such as:
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Media Technician Volunteer with Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral
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Volunteer Choir Matron with Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral
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Working at local festivals and events can be a great way to build up your experience. Victorious Festival in Portsmouth offers both paid and voluntary work opportunities
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Practical experience can be gained during your degree by working for Pure FM (UoP's own radio station) or volunteer with Queen Alexandra Hospital Radio.
You can also get involved in relevant university projects through the different groups and societies via the Student Union. This is a good way of demonstrating your motivation and interest in this area of work.
Insight sessions can offer valuable information, knowledge and experience of different industries, supporting decisions of possible academic paths and future careers.
- Launchpad Music Industry - have run virtual insight sessions covering topics to help you develop your project and career, plan your next steps and give you confidence in reaching out to other music organisations and partners. Also lists UK events and vacancy opportunities to play music, and gain other experience within the music industry.
- London Mozart Players Industry Insights is a free series of interactive webinars from London Mozart Players, created to help young people explore different career paths in music and arts administration.
- Larp Music Musical Musing - Jim Hustwit's personal insights from working in the music industry for over thirteen years. He aims to share thoughts, ideas and learnings from working as a music producer, composer and latterly a record label owner.
Where to find work experience opportunities
Some key online platforms include:
Speculative applications
Speculative applications involve sending a CV and cover letter to an employer to ask if they have any vacancies, even if the company is not currently advertising for a role. They're a great way to access "hidden jobs" that go unadvertised.
Submitting a speculative application shows your interest in a specific company and your willingness to go above and beyond to develop your skills and understanding of the industry.
