In the music industry, change is constant, with new talents, skills, and experiences needed to keep up with its evolution. For recent graduates and career changers, breaking into this competitive field is challenging. That’s why internships and applied learning have become so rewarding and helpful in finding your way through the twists and turns of a music career.
These are major, established companies from all over the world, ready to share what they know. Keep in mind that they have offices in different places, so you can find the one nearest to you or the one you’re most excited about visiting.
Warner Music Group’s ETA Program
The Warner Music Group’s Emerging Talent Associate Program is a paid internship providing hands-on experience in the music industry. It’s available to students in associate, undergraduate, or graduate programs, with internships in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Miami, plus some remote options.
Interns work in various departments, including A&R, finance, data analytics, videography, marketing, technology, legal affairs, graphic design, gaming, and audience engagement. They will gain practical knowledge through events and activities.
Application steps:
- Follow Warner Music Group on Instagram and LinkedIn for updates.
- Think about what you’ve learned about the industry so far to craft a compelling application.
- Seek out roles that align with what you’re good at and passionate about, and consider submitting written or video materials.
- If you’re chosen, you’ll have an interview with a hiring manager.
To apply (from June to August), you must:
- Be at least 18 by the start of the internship
- Work 20-25 hours per week (up to 29 hours in summer)
- Have housing and transportation in the internship city
- Have a strong interest or background in the music industry
Culture Content Creation for NME
NME, a prominent music and culture platform, presents an internship program for undergraduate students.
Responsibilities:
- Research and write content for NME’s website and social media channels
- Conduct interviews and transcribe audio recordings
- Participate in brainstorming sessions to generate creative content ideas
- Engage with NME’s online communities and readers
- Assist with administrative tasks and projects as needed
You’ll develop strong writing, research, and communication skills, expand your network and forge connections within the music industry, and access mentorship from experienced NME professionals.
Requirements:
- Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program, preferably in journalism, media studies, English, or related fields
- Passion for music and popular culture
- Proficiency in social media platforms and ability to thrive in a fast-paced online environment
- Strong teamwork and independent work capabilities
Previous writing experience (e.g., blog, school newspaper, online publications) is a plus but not mandatory.
WME’s Administrative Team
WME (William Morris Endeavor) is a leading entertainment talent agency representing top artists across movies, TV, music, and more. This role offers fast-paced work in London (New Oxford Street office) with comprehensive training and may lead to advancement as a Music Agent’s Assistant.
Responsibilities:
- Compiling ticket counts for upcoming shows
- Assisting agent assistants with administrative tasks
- Supporting agents in their assistant’s absence
- Conducting in-depth research tasks or projects
- Managing show deals and legal contracts
- Participating in department meetings and presentations
- Ensuring compliance with immigration processes for clients traveling to the UK
Candidate requirements:
- Passion for music and entertainment
- Strong organizational, attention to detail, and communication skills
- Ability to provide exceptional service to both external contacts and internal colleagues
- Sensitivity to the needs of creative clients
- Proficiency in MS Office, particularly with numbers
Similar positions are also available in Sydney, New York, and Beverly Hills.
Student Placement Opportunity at IMG Artists London
MG Artists London invites students to join them for a three-month placement. This program offers candidates interested in arts management a comprehensive overview of artist management agency operations.
Responsibilities:
- Organizing publicity materials
- Updating databases and website
- Managing mailing lists
- Assisting with travel arrangements
- Researching international visas
- Preparing materials for booking conferences
- General administrative tasks
Requirements:
- Passion and knowledge of classical music
- Organizational and detail-oriented
- Excellent communication skills
Music Internship in Barcelona’s Local Scene
Experience the dynamic music industry of Barcelona through internships at music schools, festivals, or organizations. Commit to at least 20 hours per week and engage in various tasks based on your placement.
Tasks:
- Assisting with school development and marketing (if at a school)
- Supporting daily operations and PR strategies
- Teaching or helping teachers (for qualified applicants)
- Marketing, online promotion, event planning (for festivals/organizations)
Past intern experiences:
- Instrumental lessons at a music school
- Organizing concerts at a Gaudi Museum rooftop
- Managing social media
- Promoting performances through donor visits
- Front desk duties at a music studio/school
- Creating promotional videos about music organizations
Loud House Internship in Atlanta
The internship program at Loud House offers valuable opportunities to learn. Interns gain hands-on experience with advanced equipment and guidance from expert staff, and this covers music production, audio engineering, industry insights, and the business operations of a large commercial studio.
As an intern with reception desk responsibilities, you will:
- Answer phone calls and provide accurate information
- Coordinate with security to confirm guest access
- Make sure all clients and guests sign in
- Handle invoices, process payments, and file documents
- Update session logs daily
If you work in shifts & scheduling, you will work two eight-hour shifts per week. Spend the first four hours at reception and the second four hours on errands and cleaning.
Use this internship to network with artists, producers, and managers, building valuable connections in the music industry.
BMG x Music Forward Opportunities
Since 2020, BMG has been offering paid internships and giving young people hands-on experience and access to industry professionals. For the summer of 2024, BMG is offering internships in various departments across different cities:
Los Angeles:
- Brand partnerships
- Digital marketing
- Music publishing
- Production music
- Streaming
New York:
- Synch licensing
- Creative Synch
- NY Recorded
Nashville:
- Royalties (new deal processing & client services)
- Royalties
- Creative A&R
- Marketing & PR (Broken Bow Records)
- Digital marketing
All positions are paid and will last from June to August 2024, requiring 21 hours per week. Some positions may involve a mix of in-person and virtual work. To apply, interested candidates can submit their resumes online.
Sony Music’s Internship Programs
Sony Music’s internship program offers a chance to work at one of the leading major labels. Although not a summer internship per se, we’ve included it for its prestigious opportunities. Paid positions last for 12 months and cover various areas like digital, audience development, visual creative, marketing, promotions, and finance.
The roles are based in London and involve working with such renowned labels as Columbia Records, RCA, Ministry of Sound, and others.
Publicity Manager
At RCA Label Group UK, a key division of Sony Music Entertainment, their artist roster includes both UK talents such as Bring Me The Horizon and global stars like Beyoncé and P!nk.
The Promo Team at RCA UK handles all aspects of record promotion, from press and influencers to radio and digital platforms. As part of this team, you’ll execute press campaigns across multiple artists.
Responsibilities include writing pitches for potential signings, managing press releases, coordinating photoshoots and artist relations, and representing RCA artists at events. You’ll also build relationships with influencers across various domains and leverage their reach for promotional opportunities.
Audio Engineer
As the audio engineer, your main job is to ensure the quality of audio assets and support the system used by both domestic and international users. You’ll need sharp attention to detail and good listening skills. While this role doesn’t focus solely on creative tasks like mixing or mastering, you’ll still need some knowledge in those areas. Experience with immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos is a plus.
You’ll be responsible for:
- Checking audio quality
- Adding audio files to their systems.
- Helping with daily tasks and big projects
- Reporting any issues with assets or systems
- Occasionally doing light editing or mastering work
You’ll also handle tasks like creating and editing DDP files, as well as manage data and prepare audio stems.
Spotify Japan Early Career Program
Again, it’s a non-traditional extended role, but what an incredible opportunity! Spotify is looking for a team member for the Japan music team in the Early Career Program. This immersive 18-month program offers early career talent in Japan a unique opportunity to learn about the audio business at Spotify.
You will assist editors in identifying and curating music for various moods, moments, and genres for the Japanese audience.
Requirements:
- Expert knowledge of Japanese music, artists, and pop culture
- Proficient in Japanese and English
- Ability to identify suitable music for different situations
- Strong data and analytics skills
- Passionate about music across all genres
This position is based in the Tokyo office.
There you go! The music industry offers a wide array of opportunities for those starting their journey. There's something for everyone, from creative roles to administrative positions. Good luck!
