Top 10 Posts of 2013

Thanks for a fantastic year and for tweeting, reading, pinning, facebooking, email, chatting, participating in contests, coming to events and everything else you did to support Intern Like a Rockstar in 2013. This year saw continued growth for us and amazing opportunities on here for you from Croshal Entertainment Group, BuzzFeed, SiriusXM, and even a pretty amazing contest with a really cool prize I was admittedly a bit jealous of. It's so amazing to be able to help people live their dreams of working in music and connect with amazing people all over the world doing incredible things in the name of their passion and all of this is possible because of you and your support. This site started out as just a simple blog with no budget (okay that part is still accurate) aimed at maybe helping a few people if they stumble across it on Google, but it's growing into something much bigger than that and into something that just maybe can actually make a difference. There's much more to come in 2014, including the return of the Twitter chat and an exciting project I'm already working on with some fantastic helpers. So stay tuned! As always, let us know if there's anything we can do to help. Thanks so much for being so amazing and inspiring. Here's a look at the posts you made popular this year.

Happy New Year from Intern Like A Rockstar!

1) How to Write a Music Industry Cover Letter

Cover letters are one of the most important job search tools, but they're useless if you have no idea what exactly you should be writing about. This post, that was shared by GRAMMY Camp on their Facebook page, tells you exactly what your cover letter needs to communicate and helps you put it all together with an example.

Writing Your Resume: Prove It or Lose It

Let's say you're at a party and you meet two people, we'll call them Bill and Ted, who both work in social media. You ask them to tell you more about their work. Bill says "I'm great with Twitter, I'm detail oriented, I really understand people, and I'm hard-working." Ted says "Well, let's see, I recently worked on a project where I created a scavenger hunt across company XYZ's social media pages. It got them 800 more Facebook likes, 2000 new Twitter followers, and $200,000 increased revenue from sales on their site in a month" So, who are you more likely to believe actually knows their stuff? Probably Ted right? So, what if you read two resumes that had those same descriptions- who do you think would get the job?

By Thomaseagle (Own work) [GFDL] or [CC-BY-3.0,] via Wikimedia Commons

Writing your resume is a bit like writing a paper (sounds weird I know, but bear with me). Often, when you write a paper you have a thesis that you are trying to prove and each paragraph will serve to further your point and show that it is accurate. You wouldn't do very well if you turned in a paper claiming that The Great Gatsby is the most influential American novel if your supporting points merely talked about how nice it was to read and how you felt about the movie. You need to demonstrate this by explaining and providing details that support your argument.

With your resume, you are trying to prove that you are a suitable candidate for the job or internship to which you are applying. So you can think of that as your thesis. Accordingly, everything you include on your resume should seek to further support this idea. You cannot sufficiently accomplish this goal by using adjectives like detail-oriented and opinion-based phrases like "good at public speaking." These don't belong on your resume. Instead, write about the time you won a competition by presenting your idea in front of 200 people. Don't just say you are detail-oriented, write about the new filing system you created at your internship. Don't say you are creative, write about the interesting marketing idea you came up with for the band you're working with. These examples prove your point in a far more compelling way. Don't waste precious space telling your potential employer things he won't believe. Convince him.

Tough Questions to Ask When Choosing a College: What Connections Do YouHave in Other Cities?

By Jeangagnon (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Admissions letters are rolling in and hopefully that means a lot of good news. It also means it's time to make some tough decisions that will impact the rest of your life. When you take a tour of campus you'll inevitably hear all of the most attractive facts about campus and see all of the newest buildings. They are, after all, trying to sell you and convince you - the best and brightest admitted students- to come to campus. But if you're going to commit to spending the rest of your life as a student then proud alumnus of that school, you need to get to the real essence of what it's like to be a student there and get a degree with that college's name on it. So, yes you want ask the usual questions and look at the dorms, and see the classrooms, and learn about the clubs they offer. But asking the right questions will help you learn the information you might not think about that can make a difference in your success and happiness both on campus and after you graduate. This is the second in our new series aimed at helping you do that. Today, we're talking why you should give some thought to your post-college plans in order to help you choose the best school today. 

Happy Holidays from Intern Like A Rockstar

This has been a great year with internship listings from some pretty amazing companies and all sorts of interesting new opportunities for Intern Like A Rockstar and we couldn't have done any of it without you because you are what it's all about. Hope you have a safe, happy, healthy, relaxing, and magical (can't forget the magic, that's important!) holiday season! We'll be back in a few days with some new posts to close out the year. Thanks for your love and support!

Digital Marketing Internship with Fame House in Philadelphia, PA

Fame House is a company in the digital space, specializing in Digital Marketing for the music industry. Fame House works with various artists, labels, festivals, and management companies to efficiently help accelerate their business through digital marketing management and initiatives. Clients include Eminem, Pretty Lights, Tiesto.

Tough Questions to Ask When Choosing a College: When Can I Intern?

By HTUK at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

Admissions letters are rolling in now and hopefully that means a lot of good news. It also means it's time to make some tough decisions that will impact the rest of your life- probably the biggest decision you've made in your life so far. When you take a tour of campus you'll inevitable hear all of the best and most attractive facts about campus and see all of the newest and shiniest buildings. They are, after all, trying to sell you and convince you - the best and brightest admitted students- to come to campus. So they'll wax the floor and serve the best food and let you sleep in the nicest dorm room. But if you're going to commit to spending the rest of your life you need to get to the real essence of what it's like to be a student there and get a degree with that college's name on it. So, yes you want ask the usual questions and look at the dorms, and see the classrooms, and learn about the clubs they offer. But asking the right questions will help you learn the information you might not think about that can make a difference in your success and happiness both on campus and after you graduate. So, I'm introducing a new series of posts that will address the tough questions that will help you learn what it's really like at each school you consider. Today we're starting with internships.

1) When Can I Start Interning?

#MusicIntern Chat 2014 - Vote for a Time / Day

While you're finishing up finals and winding down the school year, I'm looking to next year and how we can all start our new year off on the right foot. What better way to do so than by bringing back our popular #musicintern Twitter chat so we can discuss the industry and learn from each other. Take a look at your class schedule for next semester and let us know what you think here. And good luck with any projects (and shopping) you're still finishing up! 

PS. I listed times in the Eastern Time zone so be sure to keep that in mind. For example, 8:30pm ET would be 5:30pm in California. 

When should #musicintern chat take place in 2014?
	Monday 8:30pm ET
	Tuesday 8:30pm ET
	Wednesday 8:30pm ET
	Thursday 8:30pm ET
	Friday 8:30pm ET
	Saturday 1pm ET
	Saturday 8:30pm ET
	Sunday 1pm ET
	Sunday 8:30pm ET
pollcode.com free polls

Internship with Croshal Entertainment Group in Los Angeles

Croshal Entertainment Group is an LA-based entertainment company, established in 2003. CEG is a "hybrid" entertainment company that provides full service, management and marketing services to artists, labels, management companies and corporate brands. 

We have worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, and always strive to protect the artists’ vision, integrity, and brand.

In our 10-year history, we have helped our artists/clients maximize their potential and with our marketing services have helped them in selling over 4 million records and creating new revenue streams. We have helped them earn gold and platinum sales awards, and have become the go-to source for the independent releases of music.

Location:

Los Angeles, CA
*Please only local candidates

5 TV Shows That Can Actually Help Your Career

Have your parents ever told you you spend too much time watching TV (or maybe Netflix rather)? You could be so much more productive if you just spent less time tweeting about Pretty Little Liars and more on your homework, right? Well, what if you could be productive and learn something while watching TV? Sounds like a win!

1) Shark Tank

This is a top recommendation for anyone who has any interest in business in general. Shark Tank gives people the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to real investors in order to, ideally, get a deal on the spot. Businesses include everything from restaurants to novelties and even the occasional music-oriented business. Watching is entertaining, but it will also teach you a lot over time about what it takes to run a successful business, what investors look for in a business, and how to give a good business presentation. Rule #1: Always know your numbers. It's on ABC on Friday nights and it's definitely a must-see if you want to learn about business.

2) Behind the Music
This Vh1 classic airs regularly (seriously there are reruns on every week) and gives you an inside look at what made your favorite musicians famous. It will tell you about their childhood, their path to getting discovered, their struggles, and their successes. It's a fantastic way to learn more about how to build a musicians career and the kind of work that goes into being successful as an artist. Plus, the show features interviews with the artists themselves as well as close friends, family, and members of their business team (such as their manager), so it's about as close to the real story as you can get.

Music Internship with BuzzFeed in New York, NY

BuzzFeed is the leading media company for social news and entertainment, intensely focused on delivering high-quality original reporting, insight, and viral content across a rapidly expanding array of subject areas. Our technology powers the social distribution of content, detects what is trending on the web, and connects people in real time with the hottest content of the moment. Our site is rapidly growing and reaches more than 80 million monthly unique visitors. Jonah Peretti, founder & CEO of BuzzFeed, previously co-founded the Huffington Post. Ben Smith is its Editor-in-Chief, Jon Steinberg is its President & COO and Kenneth Lerer is the Executive Chairman.

Description:

BuzzFeed's music section is looking for a hard-working editorial intern for a full-time paid position in the New York office. The person will work closely with BuzzFeed Music staff on research, content creation, and idea generation. The ideal candidate will have experience as a writer, and an imaginative approach to covering a wide range of music. You don't need to be an expert, but it helps to have an interest in many genres, curiosity about the music industry and fan cultures, and a positive attitude about pop music. We're looking for enthusiasm, not snobbery. This is not a typical music site, so please have some familiarity with the general tone and style of BuzzFeed.

Internship Opportunities with Creative Spotlights

Artist Development has long been a dissipating piece of the music & entertainment industries. Many of the major labels and talent agencies are no longer committing the finances and personnel necessary to cultivate talent and truly foster career growth. Creative Spotlights embraces DIY culture, by serving as a digital platform to connect artists and entertainers with the resources, news and insight they need to build their brands. With a consistently growing and evolving network of contributors and consultants, Creative Spotlights is an unparalleled resource for you, the talent. Take control of your future; develop your communication strategy, learn about emerging trends, access cultural influencers, increase your exposure and refine your public relation’s efforts. No matter where you are, no matter your career level, no matter your needs – Creative Spotlights’ 360-degree approach to artist development will help you reach your professional goals.
Creative Spotlights is the evolution of artist development.

Creative Spotlights is currently looking to fill three internship positions: Artist Relations Coordinator, Editorial Editor, and Social Media Coordinator. Job descriptions and directions to apply are below. These are unpaid internships, applicants must be eligible to receive college credit for a virtual internship. 

You Can't Always Get What You Want...

You probably don't need anyone to tell you that the end of this legendary lyric is "but if you try sometimes you just might find you'll get what you need." As a kid, I hated this line and viewed the song overall as a rather depressing one. As children in the land of the "American Dream" we are raised to believe that if we work hard enough and put our minds to it, we can achieve anything we want and the idea that this might not be the case seems preposterous and downright offensive. Why can't you get what you want? Plenty of people do and you intend to be one of them.

Yet as we grow up we come to realize that this is not always the case and things will not always (or usually) go the way we plan (I'm fairly certain that's really the main theme in How I Met Your Mother). No one (despite what you parents might think) plans to move home to their childhood bedroom after college. No one plans to get turned down for their dream job.  No one moves to New York to get denied by countless record labels. No one plans to graduate from college with nearly six figures in student loans and no job prospects. Yet sadly, these are the realities many young people today face. We were supposed to be counting our GRAMMY Nominations by now, right?

The Stones weren't necessarily singing about desperation and defeat though. There is, after all, an unmistakable note of hope and optimism in that famous melody. Sometimes life knows you better than you do.

The truth is sometimes the best things are those we could never have planned for and even those we never knew we wanted. When you miss out on a great opportunity, perhaps it is because a better one is waiting for you or because there is something you're meant to learn from it. Sometimes what you want isn't actually what's best for you and you have to have a bit of faith that life will work out if you keep working hard and continuing to learn and do better. Try to see the value in every opportunity, because it may wind up being worth far more than you could ever have imagined.

What To Wear to a Music Industry Holiday Party

The holiday season is a time of office and professional organization parties. But as we've discussed before, when you're a student attending a professional event it can be hard to figure out what to wear that will leave a positive impression without making you stand out for the wrong reasons. After all, these events are not just a chance for fun and festivities, but an opportunity to meet someone who may be able to offer a job or internship lead down the road. So, how can you show off your personality while still looking like you belong in the music industry?

Here are some tips to help you put together an outfit that makes you feel great but won't make you look out of place at a music industry holiday party: 

What to Do When Your Phone Interviewer Doesn't Call

You've set up a time for a phone interview, told your friends not to text you, and have your notes and resume ready and waiting. And waiting. And waiting some more because the phone just won't ring. So, what do you do when the time you scheduled your phone interview has come and gone and no one has called?

By Garvid (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Don't Panic

It's easy to freak out if you're staring at the phone waiting for it to do something. So, first take a deep breath and a calm down. First, double check that you do have the right time and day just in case (you're probably fine, but it happens). Then, take a moment and put things in perspective. It's not that they changed their minds or don't want to talk to you. When you interview in person someone is usually there to tell them that someone had arrived for an appointment and to give them some warning to wrap up whatever they are working on. That doesn't happen when the appointment is for a phone call so it's easy for someone to lose track of time in the midst of work or get backed up. That is most likely what is happening. 

Reach Out

A Thanksgiving Message

One of my favorite things is working on this site and being able to help people, even if it's just in a small way, get closer to living their dreams. I believe music is one of the most beautiful and powerful things in the world and that the music industry is at its best when it is open to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. So I am incredibly thankful for all of you who are really the ones who turned this little site I started as a way to share information in hopes that it may help one person, into something bigger than I imagined. You are the reason I get to do amazing things like post about fantastic internships and speak on panels and help people on a regular basis and it's wonderful to try to get to know as many of you as possible and to be lucky enough to feel like I have new friends around the world (if we haven't talked yet please feel free to say hi on Twitter or email). 

I know though that wanting to work in something as unpredictable as music can put a strain on relationships with those closest to you and make days like today frustrating. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a support system that wholeheartedly believes in them and encourages them to pursue their dreams. I hope today you are fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who know how amazing you and aren't afraid to tell you.  But if you don't have that support, know that we are here and are happy to try to help as best we can. Because having the courage to follow your passion is an incredible and rare gift that should be celebrated. The world needs more of that. So thank you for being you. 

Success Stories: David Tennant's Determination to Become The Doctor

[CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

If you're British, a fan of Doctor Who, or simply went on Twitter this weekend, you probably know Saturday was the 50th anniversary of the long-running British television show Doctor Who and that the BBC had a special show in honor of the event that was broadcast simultaneously all over the world. Though he may be relatively unknown to the general public here in America (though you probably at least know him from Harry Potter), David Tennant is one of the most highly regarded actors the world over as a result of his work as the enigmatic Doctor on this influential show. He is also a fantastic example of what talent, hard work, passion, a bit of luck, and some fierce determination can lead to and that is why he's our feature today.

David Tennant may be well-known today for his portrayal of The Doctor, but as a boy he was actually inspired to act because of his passion for the show. As a young child he watched the show and saw Tom Baker as the title character and became obsessed. It was then he decided he wanted to be an actor and he told friends and family that he was going to be The Doctor someday [1]. Of course, they believed he would someday grow out of these childhood fantasies and he explained in an interview that "Everyone was persistent in the belief I would 'grow out of it, but not me. I believed this was going to be a life-long thing. When I was old enough I was convinced that I was going to play the part of The Doctor on TV. I was absolutely convinced [1]." He was still just as convinced as a young teen and even wrote about it in his high school English essays [2].

What Is the Purpose of a Cover Letter?

Cover letters are one the key tools in your job/internship search arsenal. But, in a world where you can communicate with friends without even really using any words at all (Snapchat anyone?) it can be difficult to understand why you need a letter at all. It probably seems a bit like a waste of time, so let's break down why it is so important.

First, the sole purpose of a cover letter is to get someone to look at your resume. That's it. It isn't to tell your life story or even get you an interview. It's just to get them to click on the link to your resume and invest some of their time to take a look and consider you. Again, it's really that simple.

So, your cover letter should answer these questions, from the point of the view of the person reading it:

1. Why are you contacting me?
2. How did you find me / this job or internship?
3. Why do you want this job or internship?
4. Why are you a good candidate for this job or internship? 
5. What about you makes me want to know more?

Admittedly, answering those questions in one succinct letter or email is easier said than done. Still,, the point is that you don't need to explain everything you've ever accomplished or try desperately to convince them to hire you on the spot. You just need to pick a few key examples, explain yourself, and leave them wanting more. 

What Exactly Happens on a Music Video Shoot?

This is a guest post from New York Film Academy, visit their site for more information on film and video education opportunities.

Music video shoots are one of the most exciting collaborative projects imaginable, usually seeing a convergence of numerous skills from across a variety of industries just to make the magic happen. As such, few other places provide so many opportunities to meet and mingle with musicians, film directors, producers and other important people.


If you're interning at a label or studying at somewhere like the NYFA, you have plenty of reasons to be excited when invited to work on a music video. All the same, you might be understandably nervous, too. What will be expected of you? What exactly happens behind the scenes of a music video? The more you know before it starts, the more prepared you'll be if the opportunity arises.

Music Royalty Lessons from the TLC Biopic CrazySexyCool

"This is how a group can sell 10 million albums and be broke. Everyone get ready to do your math."
This is a line from one of the most telling moment's of VH1's recent TLC biopic, CrazySexyCool. This movie was well done overall and worth watching for anyone who has an interest in learning more about what goes on behind the scenes in a band's career, in this case a band that was stuck with some seriously bad contracts. After multi-platinum albums, sold out tours, and what should seem like extraordinary success, the band found themselves without a penny and they came forward after winning GRAMMY Awards, as it shows in the film, to tell the world what was really going on. Later in the film though, the girls are doing an on-air radio interview with callers who believe they must have just gone broke because they spent all of their money and Left Eye decided to break it down for everyone to help them understand just how they could be so successful and yet still be starving artists:

"Y'all 100 points on an album

TLC has 7 points

Each point is worth eight cents

7×8 is 56

Got it?

10 million albums, $5.6 million

Now we owe the label 3 million for travel, production and videos, right?

Okay, that leaves us with 2.6 million which puts us in a 48% tax bracket

Which now leaves us with 1.3 million to split three ways

And on top of that we gotta pay managers, lawyers, and did I forget that Pebbles [their manager] is suing us for damages so we in the red for a couple hundred grand that we don't have"
 - Left Eye in the CrazySexyCool  biopic

So what exactly does that mean and what does it tell you about how artists get paid? Let's take a closer look.

How to Handle Rejection

If there's one thing you're definitely going to face while pursuing a career in the entertainment industry it's rejection. It may mean not getting a call after an audition, having your demo turned down, getting a form letter after an interview, or just plain being ignored. There's really nothing as good at making you doubt yourself as rejection, but unfortunately it's something that will probably happen more times than you can count (please don't try, it will only make it worse). So, how do you get back on the proverbial horse when you're starting to wonder if maybe your parents were right all along and you should give a more rational career a try?  Well, you can start by telling that voice to shut up and then following these steps.

Internship Opportunity with Heavy Metal Label, Century Media

Independent heavy metal record label seeks hardworking, dependable people for an internship in our Los Angeles office.

Description:
Learn different aspects of the record business in a general internship or focus on a specific area (Promotion, Radio, Sales, Graphics, Video, Publishing, A&R, etc).

Location:Hawthorne, CA

Requirements:

• Must live in the Los Angeles, CA area
• Must receive school credit
• Must be at least 18 yrs old
• Must work a minimum of 150 hours

To Apply:
Email internships@centurymedia.com 

GRAMMY U Social Media Fall/Winter 2013 Internship

Celebrating music through the GRAMMY Awards for over 50 years, The Recording Academy continues its legacy as the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. As a membership organization we represent some of the most talented professionals in the world. Our members include recording artists, engineers, producers, composers/arrangers, managers, agents, social media executives and many others. The Recording Academy’s Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for current college students (sophomore, junior or senior) to gain on-site training in office administration, event management and artist relations in exchange for college credit. Candidates should be energetic, hard working and have aspirations of a career in the music industry or music education.

Enter the GRAMMY Gig of a Lifetime Contest for the Chance to Perform During GRAMMY Week

CBS Interactive today announced the kick off to its third-annual “GRAMMY^® Gig of a Lifetime” contest to give aspiring musicians across the country the chance to perform during a GRAMMY^® Week event. The performance will also be available on-demand as part of GRAMMY^® Live, a digital experience featuring streaming events and exclusive coverage around Music's Biggest Night^®. Presented by Surface, this year’s contest will tap top musical talent from different genres – Fall Out Boy, Austin Mahone, and Emeli Sandé – to help select the finalists before the public votes on their choice for the winning band.

Enter GRAMMY U's Amplifier Center Stage Initiative

The Recording Academy^® and Hyundai today announced the launch of Amplifier Center Stage: A GRAMMY U^® Initiative — a catalyst for music innovation and artist development in the digital era. The program, which unites emerging and aspiring artists with established artists to mentor their careers, will run through the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards^® season with the winners announced at an official GRAMMY^® Week event on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014. 

The 2014 program will include curators from an array of musical genres; GRAMMY-winning jazz pianist Robert Glasper, pop singer Ariana Grande, GRAMMY-nominated country artist Hunter Hayes, and hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar are on board as curators for Amplifier Center Stage. The 2014 ambassador for Amplifier Center Stage will be announced at the beginning of December.

"We are excited for The Recording Academy and GRAMMY U to partner with Hyundai for this initiative. With more than 5,000 students in 400 universities across the nation, GRAMMY U is becoming the fastest-growing level of membership within our organization," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "We are grateful to be able to help educate and encourage those students who aspire to be part of the music community, and we are looking forward to receiving and reviewing a vast collection of hopeful, talented participants with this year's Amplifier Center Stage."


To Enter:

A First-Time Manager’s Perspective on Interns

This past summer, for the first time, I was assigned an intern of my own to manage and mentor. This experience of being on the other side of the internship role has given me a new perspective that I think could be handy for anyone currently in or pursuing an internship.
As an intern, your goal may expand your working knowledge, beef up your resume, make connections, make some money, or get your foot into the door at a particular company. These are all great goals but what about the company? Why are they hiring interns? The company’s interest in the internship is likely for one or more of these reasons:

Back to School: College Clubs That Can Help Your Career

When you're looking to gain experience and start building your network it can be tough to know where to start. Thankfully, you may not even need to venture off campus to start building valuable skills and connections. Now that you're starting to settle in to your fall schedule, it may be time to think about joining a student organization that can help you. Here's a look at some common on-campus activities that will help you build your resume while making friends with similar interests, meeting professionals in your field, and gaining some new skills. 

Music Industry Leads the Digital Revolution

The music industry, from the inside, is often seen as a battle between the so-called "old guard" and the "new." Some argue that there is an unending split between those who quickly embraced digital technology and those who tried to fight it. As the proverb says though " necessity is the mother of invention." Perhaps it was that initial push from P2P services that forced the music world to merge with the digital one, but it certainly seems to be a good thing because it turns out that, as a result, we're leading this revolution.

Displayed under Creative Commons license from Statista

Copyright Owners Fighting Piracy Links on Google

Despite the defeat of various bills intended to make the fight against online piracy easier, it seems copyright owners are taking things into their own hands. The chart below shows the growth over the past few years of requests for URLs to be removed from Google's search results because of infringing content. This year has already seen more than double the requests from the entirety of 2012 and, as you can seen, there has been an explosive growth in the number of requests since 2011. This seems to suggest rights owners are putting in more effort to protect their content. Still, based on the number of requests, it's clear that this is an arduous task which cannot be reasonably accomplished without considerable commitment. So, is there an easier way for artists to protect themselves? Do you think this is a sign that the copyright community may find more support on Capitol Hill for bills aimed at preventing piracy next time around? Is there a better solution than asking artists to seek out and file complaints against infringing content on their own? And is there a balance to be found between the freedom of information that makes the Internet what it is and the protection artists need to have the freedom to pursue their passion and "quit their day job?" What do you think?

Displayed under Creative Commons License from Statista

How to Prepare for a Phone Interview: Be Focused

Phone interviews are a common way for companies to initially screen applicants to make a determination of who to bring in for an interview at the office. It should be a lower-stress way to make a good first impression without needing to worry about what to wear or how your hair looks. Yet, at a time when people rarely, if ever, actually talk on the phone and you can even order a pizza on the Internet, a phone interview may actually be more nerve wracking that it's in-person counterpart. We started this series with tips to help you be ready for the call and practice getting comfortable on the phone and today we're looking at tips to avoid distraction.

Prevent Interruptions
Take the call away from other people in a quiet room by yourself. This will help you avoid loud noises, people trying to talk to you, and other sounds that could cause you to forget what you were saying.

Forewarn Your Roommates
This step is extremely important if you're a college student living in a dorm. Tell you roommates in advance so, preferably, they can be out of the room at that time. Put a reminder on the door so your roommate or other friends won't come storming into the room and your RA will avoid knocking. This also applies if you live at home and your roommates happen to be your parents.

Use a Land Line
Admittedly, these are hard to come by, but if you live in a college dorm you probably have the option of getting one for free. Find out about it and get it set up a week in advance of your interview so you have time to make sure the line works and provide the number to your interviewer. A land line can help you avoid issues with dropped calls because of poor reception.

Disable Call Waiting
Find out how to turn off call waiting for the duration of your call so that you won't wind up with a beeping sound in your ear and bits of conversation cut off. Just don't forget to turn it back on again so you won't miss any important calls. 

Have Water and Cough Drops
Nerves have a way of making your throat feel dry so be sure to have some water and maybe a few cough drops near by just in case even if you don't think you will need it. 

What tips do you have for phone interviews? 

What Day Should #MusicIntern Chat Be?

So, now that it's back to school time it seems like time to get #MusicIntern chat back up and rolling on Twitter. If you're not familiar, it's a forum for music students, interns, workers, artists, etc. to come together online as a community and ask questions, share their troubles and get help, discuss goals, and network to help make it easier for you to  stay informed and break in to the music industry. We usually learn a lot from each other and have fun while doing it. It's free and easy to join (I'll provide easy-to-follow directions once we establish a date). For now, take a look at your schedule - and your upcoming fall TV schedule- and cast your vote for which day is best for you. The chat will be held at night, probably 9pm ET, so keep that in mind. Also, though I definitely want to hear from you, I'll make the final call so I can be sure to be there to host.

Back to School: High School Clubs That Can Help Your Career

Now that Labor Day weekend is over it's time for students all over the country to focus on school. If you're a high school student with a passion for music though, it can be difficult to feel motivated to finish your biology homework when you'd rather be practicing and planning for your future career in rock 'n' roll. Don't write off school too quickly though. A well-rounded education is important no matter what career you pursue and good grades will help you get in to a good college music program. Plus, there are plenty of ways to gain skills and knowledge that will help you once you have an opportunity to move to the next level. Here are six examples of clubs and organizations many high schools offer that will help you get ahead and be well prepared for college applications and future internships.

NABEF Radio Personality Project: Enter to Win!

Could you be the next radio star? Are you or someone you know captivating, creative and able to make laundry detergent sound interesting? 

The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation is looking for YouTubers who have that “it” factor and know how to entertain! This is an amazing opportunity for one winner who we will fly roundtrip with a guest to Orlando for the Radio Show, radio’s premier event. Get your entry in by August 28 at 11:59pm EST for your chance to become on an-air radio personality.

Back To School Career Prep Checklist

It's the time of year where most students are headed back to school and you've probably seen at least one check list of all the things you'll need to survive. Well, here's a list of everything you need to have a great year from a professional point-of-view and be prepared for any interview, networking opportunity, or internship. You can download or print the list below and check out a few explanations for some of the items on it.

Note: The list may not work on mobile browsers. If you cannot access it and would like a copy email me at katie@internlikearockstar.com.



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Policy Issues in the Music Industry: Public Performance Rights for Sound Recordings

At its core, the music industry is built on the legal right to own and/or control copyrights, the intellectual property that is created when someone writes or records a song. These two versions of a song, the melody and lyrics you can sing while walking down the street and the audio recording you actually listen to on your iPod, each represent a separate copyright and a separate source of potential income. For example, let's look at Bob Dylan's classic song "Make You Feel My Love." This song, though written by Dylan and initially performed by him, has become an international hit in various genres on numerous occasions through popular recordings done by artists such as Billy Joel, Garth Brooks, Kelly Clarkson, and, most recently, Adele. Most music fans would agree that each new performance of this song brings a unique perspective to it and perhaps helps a new generation of music listeners rediscover this iconic piece. Adele's version was a world-wide hit that sold enough copies to be certified Gold in the Unites States and Platinum in the United Kingdom. Since this song was written by Bob Dylan and performed by Adele, each time a copy of this version of this song is sold, both musicians receive payment for their respective contribution as the songwriter and the performer. Additionally, when this same song is played on Internet, cable, or satellite radio stations, both Adele and Bob Dylan will earn money. Still, despite the nuances of Adele's hit performance of this song, did you know that when her version is broadcast on terrestrial radio (AM and FM stations) in America, she does not actually earn anything for it? 

Fall internship in Digital Marketing with SiriusXM

Love social media? Want hands-on experience? Look no further — we're looking for Fall interns in digital marketing at SiriusXM. Put your re-tweetin’, liking, +1’ing skills to good use and get valuable real-world  experience in all the newest digital content marketing techniques. 

If you're a social media junkie looking for real work experience, this is the internship for you.  

Sirius XM Radio Inc. is America's satellite radio company. SiriusXM broadcasts more than 135 channels of commercial free music, premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather to more than 20 million subscribers. We are one of the world's largest pure-play audio entertainment company and we are among the largest subscription media companies in the United States. SiriusXM broadcasts to subscribers everywhere they want to listen in cars, on boats, in the home or office, and through a wide range of mobile devices. SiriusXM offers an impressive array of content that spans virtually all genres and interests, including Howard Stern, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Rosie O'Donnell, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Walters, Opie & Anthony, Bob Edwards, Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, Jimmy Buffett, The Grateful Dead, Willie Nelson, and Bob Dylan, among others. SiriusXM is the leader in sports programming as the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, NBA, NHL, and PGA Tour and offers major college sports.

Location:

New York, NY 

Apply here:

https://university-siriusxm.icims.com/jobs/8663/intern%2c-interactive-editorial/job

Find out more about the experience and follow SiriusXM internships at 
Blog: www.siriusxminterns.com
Twitter: @siriusxminterns
Facebook: /SiriusXMInternship
Email: internships@siriusxm.com

Marketing Internship with Fame House Music in Philadelphia, PA

Fame House's Marketing internship offers students interested in the music business an opportunity to work on various marketing initiatives for high-profile musicians, labels, and management companies.

Interns who wish to take advantage of this unique opportunity will be expected to perform at a high level. This internship is offered for the best crop of marketing students interested in working in the entertainment business.

Location:
Philadelphia offices located at: 401 S. 2nd St. Suite #304 Philadelphia, PA 19147

Job Requirements: 

• 15 Hours / Week minimum at our Philadelphia offices in Society Hill 
• Must receive college credit Must be good with computers and willing to learn 
• Knowledge of Photoshop is a plus 
• Knowledge of Social Media is highly a plus 
• Well organized 
• Knowledge of online tools for musicians is a plus 
• Good attitude and excited to be a part of a young company in the Entertainment Marketing field 

Duties:

• Assistance in managing online platforms for musicians 
• E-commerce 
• Social Media 
• Web Site Central Management System (content management)
• Other online platforms for promoting artists 
• Assistance with content creation and layout for clients 
• Assistance in creating unique marketing plans for clients 
• Assistance in scheduling and company organization 
• Assistance with client relationship management 
• Assistance in analyzing sales and marketing data for clients 
• Light data entry 

Knowledge & Skills You Will Obtain: 

• Online metrics analysis 
• Social Media Management and Marketing 
• E-commerce Marketing and Management 
• Photoshop, Microsoft Office, and other related software 
• Planning for major Marketing initiatives 

To Apply:
Interested applicants may contact  alex@famehouse.net

Speaking at #GRAMMYCamp New York

Just a quick post because I'm excited to say that I'll be a panelist at this year's GRAMMY Camp New York speaking about internships. It's a fantastic program run by The GRAMMY Foundation and a wonderful opportunity for high school students to learn about the music industry and I'm happy to be a part of it!

Photo by Katie Reilly

GRAMMY Camp New York is a nine-day residential program for high school students that offers campers the opportunity to work in integrated industry teams. This real-world, hands-on environment will involve an in-depth look at the entire creative process from the first spark of original material through the promotion of a finished product, and will culminate in a launch party.

If you're interested in attending next year, you can get a head start on your application here. 

What to Do in High School if You Want to Study Music Industry in College

Back when I was in high school thinking about college degrees in music industry , there were very few programs to choose from (and no, I'm not as old as you're probably thinking, music industry as a degree is pretty new). The good news is as these programs became popular more and more schools began to introduce courses, concentrations, and degree programs in everything from pop music to entertainment law. The bad news is that an increase in the popularity of these programs has also made them more competitive. There aren't exactly many college advisors out there who properly know how to help when you tell them you basically want to major in the business of The Beatles and Justin Bieber. So, how exactly should you prepare for a rockstar-style course of study and what will you need to do to get in?

Do Your Best in Your Classes and Challenge Yourself

You Don't Know Everything

Let's start with a few facts:

• The music industry is complex and can be hard to understand
• It's based on intellectual property rights laws, which are also complex and can be hard to understand
• You have to understand the past to know how we got here and "know the rules before you can break them"

So, what's all this about? Well, there's a bit of an epidemic that's come along with the advent of the Internet and the fact that we have so much knowledge accessible at any time of the day. It's wonderful that musicians and students today can Google and learn just about anything they want about the music business- that after all is the point of this site. The problem though is that, well, as we mentioned before the music industry is complex and that means you can't learn everything by reading a few articles on the Internet. You need to get experience, do your research, read books, follow the latest news, and maybe even get a college degree these days to really understand what's going on in this fast-paced ever-evolving industry. A lot of young musicians and interns make the mistake of thinking that just because they know a few things about how the world of music works they know everything and they're quick to make assumptions and, as a result, make mistakes. It doesn't have to be a big deal though, after all no one is perfect and the people around you will be willing to forgive if you accept that. However, this also means being open to new information, new ideas, and new opinions. If you don't understand something, ask. If you think you understand something but someone with more experience or knowledge tells you otherwise, listen and learn. Don't argue or get defensive just because someone is trying to teach you something or correct your mistake. No one wants to work with someone who isn't willing to listen or cooperate. Spend less time saying no and more time asking why. 

Marketing and PR Internships at World Cafe Live at The Queen in Wilmington, DE

World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington, DE is offering non-paid Marketing and PR internships for college credit. Each position has flexible hours and is perfect for those concentrating in the fields of music business, event planning, marketing, and public relations. Minimum of 15 hours per week. 

World Cafe Live has been built on a simple insight: that a place dedicated to showcasing live music should be a place that attracts and inspires live musicians. The result is a three-tiered music hall in which every detail has been designed to optimize the live performance experience, from sight lines, lighting and acoustics to green rooms, equipment access and concierge service.

Internship with GRAMMY U / The Recording Academy in Santa Monica, CA

If you've been a regular reader, you probably already know I'm a big fan of The Recording Academy and their sister organizations, The GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares. They do a lot of good for music education and musicians in need and provide networking and educational opportunities for professionals. They also offer a student membership through GRAMMY U, which provides special events catered to students who are just getting started in the industry. They are currently looking for a fantastic intern to at their Headquarters in Santa Monica California who can assist with all things GRAMMY U. It's a fantastic way to learn about the industry and work with a wonderful team of people. Apply today!  

The Recording Academy^® Intern Program offers an opportunity for college students who are interested in careers in the recording industry to gain on-site training in programming, office administration, not for profit management and membership development.  The intern would be working to fulfill a college credit.

GRAMMY U Internship Description

• Internship duration is for a semester (12 weeks or equivalent).

• Hours are part time (20 hours a week).

• Intern will work on site during regular business hours as well as some evenings and weekends.

• Internship provides an in-depth exposure to a professional recording organization's techniques and practices.

• Projects to include assistance with social media communication, event management, GRAMMY U programs and administrative office support.

• Assist with managing The GRAMMY U social platforms, including; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

• Manage Twitter lists and Facebook fans to monitor the GRAMMY U member audience

• Create updates using our social media analytic platform to better understand our engagement  with GRAMMY  U members/followers

• Assist with moderating comments on our sites

• Assist with capturing content and live updating from events

• Organize reports and recaps measuring social ROI

Location:

Santa Monica, CA. 

Headquarters of The Recording Academy. 

Internship with The Recording Academy in Philadelphia, PA

Interns at The Recording Academy^® Philadelphia Chapter gain hands-on experience working in a professional music industry arena. Most known for the GRAMMY^® telecast in February, the Recording Academy is much more than an award show. MusiCares, The GRAMMY Foundation, and 12 national Chapters are constantly working.

Interns must be able to provide documentation that they will receive college credit for the internship, are required to work part-time (20 hrs/wk) and have a strong interest in the music industry. Internship duties consist of member recruitment and correspondence, promotion and execution of events, writing, clerical and administrative duties and other tasks provided under the Membership Coordinator. This position is paid minimum wage.

Membership

• Research local potential members
• Research local arts organization for membership and collaboration
• Membership info packets- copy, collate, mail when needed
• Assist GRAMMY U rep, when needed, on student outreach
• Send new member welcome information and assist maintaining database of new members.

Events

• Assist with materials, setup, and operations for events including helping with check-in 

General Office

• Answer phone
• Collect and distribute mail
• Print out all chapter recaps for events binder
• Assisting in developing engaging content for our membership site, www.grammy365.com 

Special Projects

• Research of Festivals in the Philadelphia Market
• Coordinating “5 Questions With …” interviews with musicians and artists.
• Maintaining the library of incoming CDs.
• Assisting in the Award CRAFT committee meetings

Internship Contact: Ashley Coleman/Membership Coordinator/ Download the application at GRAMMY.org and email completed application to Philadelphia@grammy.com with “PHI GRAMMY Fall Intern” in the subject line.

The Recording Academy Philadelphia Chapter

200 S. Broad St. Ste 410

Philadelphia, PA 19102

Marketing Internship with Creative Allies in Santa Monica, CA

The Marketing Internship for Music, Sports & Entertainment will be responsible for developing a
pipeline of new business opportunities, relationships and leads for the launch of design contests and
campaigns on Creative Allies. This role will work to identify, qualify and prioritize alliances with organizations, brands and agencies for our online community of over 40,000 illustrators, designers and fans. The ideal candidate needs to be a heavy self-starter and trend spotter with passion for music, sports and the arts. The position is for a creative, savvy thinker who can build and implement strategic marketing solutions. Applicants need to be self-starters with strong organizational skills. Candidates should have the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects effectively and simultaneously.

Requirements:

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of the music and entertainment industries with a specialty in marketing, advertising and consumer behavior.
• Entrepreneurial drive, initiative, independence, and personal responsibility.
• Strong networking ability. 

Location:

Santa Monica, CA 

Understanding Common Touring / Concert Promotion Contracts and Making a Profit

This post was featured in the ASCAP Daily News Brief

Photo created by Katie Reilly

A musician friend of mine was recently offered an opportunity to play at a local show, but something about the offer seemed a bit odd and he wasn't initially sure if it was a good opportunity. As we've discussed before in Avoiding Music Industry Scams, unfortunately the passion of musicians and the complexities of the music business make it ripe breeding ground for scams created by people looking to make money off of unwitting artists looking for a chance to be heard. The easiest way to avoid a scam when it comes to playing shows is by enlisting the help of an experienced and professional booking agent who is familiar with the industry and with venues, but not every artist will have the opportunity to work with one. So, one of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim of a scam - and to be sure that booking agent is the real deal- is to learn as much as possible about the industry so that you will understand when something is out of the ordinary. So, let's take a look at the most common types of contracts you will come across when it comes to getting paid to play your music live. Quick warning though, there's a bit of math involved. Turns out your algebra teacher was right when they said you'd need it someday. Who knew?

How to Get Free or Affordable Legal Help for Your Music Project

So you've created your own opportunity by starting a business yourself and things are going great. So great that it's getting serious and you've decided you need a little legal help. Whether you need an independent contractor agreement, want to know what type of business entity is right for you, or you just have some legal questions, obtaining the help of an attorney can be pretty expensive. What's an aspiring music industry professional to do?

Luckily, there are some great organizations out there to assist out go-getters like yourselves who don't have the resources to pay for legal help:

Lawyers for the Arts

Most of the major cities in the United States have at least one pro bono organization geared specifically toward artists. New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and New Orleans all have "Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts" programs, Chicago has the Lawyers for the Creative Arts, Houston boasts the Texas Accountants & Lawyers for the Arts, and San Francisco is the home of the California Lawyers for the Arts. Beyond offering free or discounted legal services, many of these organizations also host workshops and other events targeted toward educating artists on the basics of copyrights, trademarks, and business entities.

How to Write a Professional Email

These days, the most commonly-used form of communication in a professional setting is probably email.  You might even easily find yourself in an office sending an email to someone who is sitting only a few desks over. It's a fast and convenient to share information. However, it's also a good way to look incredibly unprofessional. Whether you're talking to a professor, your boss, or a networking contact, there are certain rules you should follow when it comes to conducting yourself in a professional manner via email. So, here are some guidelines for how to do just that and an example to help you write an impressive email.

CC by 2.0 peteoshea on Flickr

The Greeting

Depending on how formal your email needs to be, you may want to start with dear as you would a regular letter. In most circumstances though simply addressing it directly to the person is fine. In a conservative industry you should probably start using a formal greeting including Miss, Mr., Mrs. or Ms. In a more laid back environment though, using just a first name is fine. This sets the tone as being direct but still says that you are a peer of the person to whom you are writing. That being said, if you are addressing your email to a executive officer, such as the CEO of a company, formality is probably more appropriate. 

Be Detailed

The Golden Rule for Working with Celebrities

By Jelson25 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Through working in the music industry I've had the chance to meet some of my favorite musicians. It might sound impressive, but it isn't something I talk about regularly. In fact I don't really bring it up at all in less it's relevant to something I'm currently working on or someone specifically asked me. So some of my friends asked and found out for the first time the list of the musicians that I've worked with. Some of them said they were jealous, but they shouldn't be. Sure I worked with a few big names and I feel fortunate for that kind of opportunity, but if you're going to do that too there is one thing you need to fully understand and keep in mind at all times: celebrities are people too.

Internship Opportunities with CID Entertainment in Philadelphia

CID Entertainment is the preeminent festival and tour VIP and travel package provider in North America. We super-serve core fans, bringing them together to experience their favorite live experiences. This strengthens the fan community, builds clients’ brands, and drives incremental profit with minimal hassle to the event producers. Clients include many major domestic and international artists and festival promoters. 

We are a group of passionate and dedicated hard workers that do whatever it takes to bring the best experience to our guests at every event. We are music fans, former tour managers, ticketing experts, customer service specialists, production gurus and much more. Our wide range of experience both in front of and behind the stage give us the knowledge we need to anticipate the needs and desires of our guests and the ability to deliver top-notch service. 

Clients include: 

• Coachella
• Kenny Chesney
• Lollapalooza
• Austin Food & Wine Festival
• Bonnaroo
• Tim McGraw
• Metallica

As an intern, you’ll be an essential part of the CID team and have a fun time while gaining valuable knowledge and work experience in the entertainment industry. 


 

General requirements:

• Internships are for college credit only.
• Must be available at least 3-5 days a week and own a laptop.

Location:

Philadelphia, PA 

 

Internships are available in the following departments: